the memoir of Tuan Hj. Razali & Puan Hjh. Sabariah (aka Atuk and Opah)

Puan Hjh Sabariah and Tuan Hj Razali

"If there is anything that you think you CAN be in the world, BE THE BEST" - Puan Hjh Sabariah

"Go anywhere you want to go, befriends with anyone you want to befriends with, but DO and SAY only what your heart choose because in the end of the day, it is what inside your heart that really matters " - Tuan Hj Razali

If people ask me to write about Family, it will end up about my grandparents, Since I started school in kindergarten, my first drawing which was titled "My Family" is about my grandparents. In primary school I had numerous essays about them and when I am in secondary school, my essay about my grand mother won the Best Essay. They are not rich or even minister or somebody, but they means the world to me.

My grandfather born in 8th July 1931 to a religious teacher, Mohd Yusoff, a Kelantanese and his wife. His father was a typical old time father type that prefers to teach the kids by strict disciplinary systems. Being the 6th child in a family of 7 make him very good with people. Later on when all of them are still young, my great grandfather married his second wife, my great grandmother was so broken hearted and moved to Singapore, left behind all of them. Even being so young, they managed to look out for each other. Their life were hard but all of them finished their educations until Standard 6 (during that time, its a big thing if you can finish Standard 6). Maybe the influenced from my great grandfather, my grandfather later on continuing his study and then got his teaching certificate which qualified him as Preliminary School Teacher. He then was asked to do his posting in Batu Kurau Taiping, Perak, where he met my grandmother.

My grandmother born in 26th July 1942 to an Estate Owner and a businessman Tuan Hj Mohd Herah and his wife Puan Hjh Zainab. She is number 5 in a family of 7. During her childhood days, they were living in luxury. Big house with round about and horse cart and her father was driving Roll-Royce and they have 20 peoples working for them, managing the estate and taking care of the house. Their clothes were custom made and all of them provided with good education. I remember my grandmother always tell me that when Japan took over Malaya, they were not effected at all and their family doctor is Japanese guy that love my grandmother so much. She said that when Japan lose to British, her father was so worried because the Japanese doctor keep on holding my grandmother like he didn't want to let go off her. He was scared that he might suggested to bring her to Japan.

When my grandmother finished her secondary education, they had new teacher (my grandfather) teaching in the district school. He didn't has place to stay. Because the house is so big, my great grandfather suggested him to stay with them. They treated him as a family. My great grandfather loves my grandfather honesty and his will to success in life. He asked him to marry my grandmother where at that time received an offer from University of Bandung, Indonesia to continue her study in Teaching. My grandmother being a smart girl, refused to marry my grandfather. But at that time, women are not encourage to have high education. So with heavy heart she married my grand father. After some times, she saw his wisdom and honesty and fall for him. Together they started a new life in Lenggong. A small town in Perak.

They are blessed with 9 children where the eldest (my mother's brother) passed away because of high fever, which make my mother the first kid. Their lives are not luxurious but they can afford things. My grandmother, coming from a rich family had a difficulties to adjust to a simple life. With lots of love that my grandfather has for her, he saved money and started few small business which are Thai Restaurant (Selera Asia) in Taiping, timber transporting and he also started acting in theaters for local play. With all these side income they managed their life so well.

When my parents married each other they were so young. My mother was 22 and my father was only 18! After a year, I was born on 26th September 1982. Being young parents, they were having difficulties to manage life and baby. My grandparents realized it and offer to take care of me. That is how I started my life with them.

All my mother siblings already started working or in high school that time. So it was only me with them. Grandmother pampered me and never let me do anything myself. I don't even know how to do my hair until high school. My grandfather try to play strict so I know not to step over the line but he read me stories, sing me songs, bought me books and clothes and brought me everywhere he went. They took a pride on me. Always talk about me among friends and when I did something impressive, they send it to newspaper.

After Standard 6, I were doing well in UPSR and got an offer from boarding school. They were so proud of me and talked about it for months. Every 2 weeks, grandmother never fails to show up at my school gate to visit me. My absence in their house effected her in a big way. She will cook my favorite dish, put it on the table and cry.

Now, I am 27 and face lots of things in life. Some were not so proud to mention. But whatever I did, even a mistake, my grandparents are always around to be the shoulders when I cry and to rejoice when I strive. Because of them I am what I am. Because of them I am modest and dare to try than to watch. and I am thankful for the life that they gave me.

Thank you Opah and Atok.

"Life is how you take it, if you carry it with wisdom, modesty, honesty and lots of respect to others, you'll end up with gold. Its up to you to choose." - Tuan Hj Razali & Puan Hjh Sabariah.