God's Greatest Gift

Every time he steps into the door, we will embrace for the longest time. As if, it was never enough to have him in my arms.

Last Sunday, we spent our afternoon and night, lying in front of the TV, watching Heroes, in between long winks. The door was ajar, and the wind that breeze thru the door was cold. We snuggled in our blanket with arms around each other, just to keep warm. We enjoyed the cold breeze and the warmth of each other’s company.

Each time I gazed into his eyes, I still clearly see the boy who would run around the house, mimicking Jackie Chan with the sound-effect of "Aiyah...Aiyah!", of which, I will always reminded him, that it is not wrong to once in a while say "Mama...Mama" for a change.

He is 14 now. It seems like yesterday that I cradled him in my arms after lulling him to sleep on my chest. He is growing up. From a small boy to a handsome man, tall and slim, handsome and charming. That's my Eriq. A boy who is unselfishly, at 7, decided his own path in life. Who has willingly sacrificed his own luxury and comfort, so that others can sleep soundly and feel fairly divided. He is definitely preternaturally smart.

Eriq is always up and about. He will always be the first one to get up when he sees me come home from the market and help to bring in the groceries. He always the first one to reach out and carry all the bags when we go shopping, even the lightest ones. At 14, he is well on his way, always pondering hard questions and sensitive to deep insights.

I love that he is so strong willed. Even at birth, he wanted to enter the world at his own hurried pace, on his own terms. So what that it took only 2 hours of labor! So what if he has wanted to enter the world at 5.45 pm, just about the same time his brother finished his first day of school. So what if I would have to deal with missing Abang's first day of school. Eriq commanded attention even on his first hour, as if he didn't want me to suffer long labor.

He is a big boy now. He's grown to be a very thoughtful, considerate and responsible son.

To My Darling Eriq

As you learn to love others, don't forget that your love for them can go only as deep as your love for yourself. Not narcissistic self-obsession, but rather, an understanding that you are Allah's handiwork, crafted for His good pleasure. He uniquely designed you to be you alone, comfortable in your own shoes. Be ready to create your own path. Never will there be another Qhairiq Fadzran. Never will someone else impact the lives you will as only you can. Imperfect though you will be, learn to appreciate your weaknesses, as it's in them that you will experience your greatest strengths.

Leave your mark by loving each and every person your life touches just as Allah first loved you. Love attaches no conditions and it expects nothing in return. It gives freely and in abundance, only then to multiply and grow.

Happy Birthday Baby.

Qhairiq Fadzran

Doa untok kesejahteraan dunia dan akhirat

3rd January 2008, we celebrated Eriq's 14th birthday at Makanan Laut Chai Chee.
We can never get enough of the food there, fresh, delicious and affordable



Our invited guests

Hot-plate beef

Chinese Fried Rice

Fried kway teow with cockles

Shark fins soup

Bee Hoon Hongkong

Kailan in oyster sauce and Oats Prawns

Sweet and sour Garoupa