One of my greatest memories of fatherhood is the moment you first hold your child after he or she is born. I remember my two experiences well, and up to this day, I can still feel the warmth of the baby, as well as the warmth of the moment.
On May 3rd 1994, I became a first-time father, after my then-wife delivered Siti Aishah. If I am not mistaken it was about 7am when she finally decided to "appear", albeit through the c-section; her mom was already on the bed a good 36 hours earlier.
AISHAH in 2004>>>
When the nurse came out with the proverbial bundle of joy, I wept a tear of joy. As she handed the baby to me, I moved my arms to make the "cradle" that Romario made famous at the 1994 World Cup, and that was the moment.The moment when that warmth of a body that lay for nine months in a womb, floating and growing through the powers of Allah, connects with you.
At that moment, I was overcome with joy, looking down towards this tiny being I held. Her name was immediately given as it was decided by her parents and my in-laws. I remember speaking to her, as I do to all babies.
I told her something along the lines of how proud I was feeling that day, and that she was a highly-anticipated baby. During the trimesters, we spoke to Aishah in the womb, we read Koranic verses, we gave her a listen to Nat King Cole and Harvey Malaiholo. We'd been shopping, like any other would-be parent too. And the perennial issue of a boy or a girl, thus predictably blue or pink!
AISHAH IN 2005>>>
As her mother stayed at home, I took it upon me to feed her at night. It was our moment; we bonded as I sang to her as she gulped down her Morinaga Formula. I spoke always to her, about life and the way of the world. Aishah was one of those good babies; rarely did she keep us awake unnecessarily at night.
Today Aishah is nearing 13. Boy how time flew!
I am very proud of Aishah, as despite her tender age, she has at times showed the maturity of an adult older than that. Other times she is just as any other 13 year old trying to make her mark among her peers and family; trying to be independent and show a character that she can call her own.
One of the most distinct characters in Aishah is her ability to mimic voices, and act. She is said to be a tremendous singer too by her friends, but she refuses to sing for ayah! Her talent in performing arts could take her places, but then again I'm her father so I may be biased!
AISHAH IN 2007 (top), and 2006 (bottom)
Then there is Siti Khadijah. Born on March 18th 1996, Khadijah was also named after one of Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) wives.
<<< KHADIJAH IN 2005
Again, that warm feeling as I held her close in my arms caused a tear to fall. Even deeper, because I almost didn't get to see this baby when my lungs collapsed while she was still a foetus in her mummy's womb, some four months to her arrival.
Like Aishah, as a baby Khadijah was a charm; never troubled us with long nights. She gobbled her Morinaga, although she noticeably drank less than Aishah.
Khadijah turns 11 soon, and like her sister, has also displayed a maturity beyond her age. She has a quiet nature, and her most endearing side is her laughter, which is rather infectious.
<<< KHADIJAH IN 2006
Being the younger of the two, Khadijah does seek more attention! I hope they both understand that as a father, I must love equally, and I do.
For all that both Aishah and Khadijah are, I love them. Like any child, they get into their fair share of troubles, but that is part of growing up. I've always told them that as long as you admit your mistakes, learn from them, apologise and move on, you should be ok.
Aishah once said to me, "If people don't fight they will not get to know each other better right?"
It amazed me that she said that, when she was 10 or 11, just as Khadijah amazed me when she noted that everything these days was "Made in China". The little one was barely 9, and she noted that everything she had, "even the stuff Tok Ma brings from Australia" actually came from China!
KHADIJAH IN 2007 (ABOVE, TOP), AND 2006
To Aishah and Khadijah, please know that while Ayah may not be physically there for you, as I only get to see you for two days of every fourteen days of your lives, you are always in my thoughts. You are always referred to as "my rock" among my friends, for that is what you both are.
AISHAH, ME & KHADIJAH
In my times of crisis or sadness, you are the rock that anchors me, and the joy that soothes my heart. That will never change. I love you both dearly; thank you for making fatherhood a rewarding experience for me.
Comments
If I am right on who you are, gimme your email please.....
Thanks for dropping by.
I have always believed in the power of positive reaffirmation.
I believe in limits and boundaries, yet I believe a child (and adults) must be allowed to make mistakes.
Cheers.
Aiman here,
Setiap anak adalah permata kepada kita. Being a father memang tidak dapat digambarkan perasaan kita. First time dengar my own baby menangis...seolah-olah tak percaya Baby yang berada dalam riba adalah zuriat saya sendiri. Walaupun masa menjadi Papa to My Baby girl i'm in my final Year jadi Student kt Oversea.
Masa berlalu begitu pantas...now my lovely daughter dah berusia 9 tahun. Nur Nabila Syahira ..she my diamond ..since my wife pass away. Tiada yang dapat menggantikan kasih sayang lovely Nabila since my Wife pass away 3 tahun lepas.
She everything for me. She my sunshine n penawar masa susah, tawa, tangis dan sendu. Kita lalui pengalaman yang sama Encik Amir...
Takziah diatas pemergian isteri saudara; namun sebagaimanana saya ceritakan dalam salah satu entry saya, ianya kepastian.
Kita bersyukur diatas segala yang dilimpahkanNya.
Sampaikan salam saya kepada Nur Nabila Syahira.
Thanks for dropping by.
Aiman again
Bila rasa di hati ingin mencari pengganti yang terdahulu...begitu berat mulut ini untuk berkata-kata. Nabila seolah-olah dapat merasakan dan meneka apa yang ingin saya katakan.
Hasrat di hati terpaksa dipendam begitu saja...bila kasih sayang terhadap Nabila mengatasi segala-galanya.
Kini saya hanya berserah kepada yang Maha Esa.
I write in Bahasa. Since saya Cikgu yg mengajar bahasa malaysia kt sekolah.
Saudara begitu beruntung dikurniakan dua puteri yang cukup comel dan menjadi penghibur saudara di kala susah dan senang.
Bezanya dengan saya. Putera dan Puteri saya tinggal dengan bekas Isteri . Keadaan menjadi berubah bila Usia mereka meningkat dewasa. Bila mana bekas Isteri meracuni fikiran dan menghasut mereka. Cakap benda -benda yang negatif tentang diri saya.Dapat berjumpa dengan kedua-dua mereka pun...macam macam syarat yang Bekas isteri dan anak anak saya kenakan. Saya tidak pernah berputus asa. Doa tetap saya panjatkan kepada yang MAHA ESA. ..Selepas solat meminta mereka agar sudi menerima kehadiran saya sebagai ayah kandung mereka. Entah di mana silap saya. Saya terlalu hina di mata mereka. Kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa saya berserah.Cuma yang saya Pinta..bila saya meuntup mata nanti, sudilah mereka sedekahkan al fatihah untuk saya.
Esok yang mendatang..Saya tempuhi dengan penuh harapan. Berbekalkan doa yang dipanjatkan kepada yang Maha Esa.Saya terus berdoa
Saya tak pernah mengalami pengalam seperti yang saudara alami. Namun walaupun saya sukar untuk diterima oleh hati-hati mereka. SAYA TETAP BERSYUKUR.
Encik Amir,
Jagalah kedua-dua Puteri dengan sebaik-baiknya. Merekalah yang akan mendoakan kita semasa kita tiada di dunia ini nanti.
My children, like yours, are under the care of their mother.
I have an excellent relationship with my ex-wife, something which although was necessary did not immediately materialise.
Suffice to say that being a dad only present for 2 out of every 14 days of my children's lives is painful; yet I have to make do.
The perception of your children over you is note merely uncer control of your former wife; you can influence this too. It takes effort.
Email me.
All the best.
I wish to have the tongkat sakti. Rasa air mata nak jatuh ..bila hampir setiap kali pertemuan dengan mereka, saya ibarat orang asing di mata mereka.
Putera dan Puteri saya..umur sudah meningkat. Bolehkah fikiran mereka diubah sebelum saya menutup mata.
What say you? Saya dah lama menderita macam ni. Hanya Tuhan yang maha ESA tempat saya mengadu. Saya kuatkan semangat ..agar mereka dapat menerima saya pada satu hati nanti. At least sebelum saya menutup mata...both of them call me Abah or Papa . Seperti mana Puteri saudara memanggil Saudara.
It's very interesting entry here. Most of use didn't realize what happen around us. Since we a busy with keje..keje and keje.You must be very caring ang loving Papa to both of your Cute and lovely daughter.For your info..I'm counting the day to my delivery my twins baby ..InsyaAllah end of this April .
I can't wait the experience that you been told in this entry. Watching them cry, laugh and crawl...This must be wonderfull experience.With my lovely hubby...we excited to plan everything about our twins. And still dont forget pray to Allah swt.
Hope to drop here more frequently ...Insya Allah.
Congratulations for your upcoming arrivals, and twins too! Double the joy!
I am actually part of a twin too. I have a twin sister. I do pray and hope tat your bundles of joy will be exactly what mine are to me: priceless!
Yes, remember Allah. For it is He that nourishes and prov ides for you. He owes us nothing, but we owe Him everything.
Cheers!
This is my first drop here. Bila membaca catatan yang ditinggalkan oleh mereka yang singgah diruangan blog saudara. Kita kena senantiasa ingat kepada Tuhan yang maha Esa. Sentiasa..tidak kira masa susah dan senang.
Catatan yang ditinggalkan oleh En. Aiman, En. Nazif, Puan Azzrina dan saudara sendiri.. Setiap dari kita mengalami pengalaman yang berbeza. Its' very usefull.
Lagi-lagi bagi saya yang akan mendirikan rumahtangga .Ini merupakan perkahwinan saya untuk kali kedua setelah pemergian isteri tercinta bersama kandungan 2 tahun lepas. Saya pasrah dengan semua yang telah ditentukan oleh Yang Maha Esa. It take time for me to forget all this.
Semoga setiap dari kita akan sentiasa ingat kepada Yang Maha Esa. Doakan semoga saya selamat mengharungi alam rumah tangga untuk kali kedua.
Salam dari Bumi Kenyalang
It Azzrina's Hubby ..just want to share this joy with you.
Syukur to Allah s.w.t ..My Lovely wife selamat melahirkan our lovely twin baby girl yesterday morning. Two week early from the expected date.
Once again, syukur to Allah s.w.t For what that he gave to us.
Regards
CONHGRATULATIONS!... Now you know the feeling of warmth I was talking about.
Oh... and sleepless nights la...
My parents always reminisced the fact that their yard looked like a laundry yard with the white nappies hanging on the laundry line :)
This was before the advent of disposable nappies you know... backin the 19 hundreds!
All the best to theboth of you, and if I may come and visit them, please email me at rb.amero@gmail.com...
Wasalam.