Eid is one of my favourite festive celebrations, ever!

This year we celebrated Eid with my side of the family first, then Joe’s. So it was KL – Raub – Johor – KL in the span of 5 days but we survived the travelling with no traffic so yay!

One of my favourite things to do in the morning of Eid is to have my coffee before heading to the mosque to pray and listen to the Takbir. I get goosebumps every time I hear the Takbir and it makes me feel so blessed to be able to celebrate another year of Ramadhan and Eid with my loved ones.

A bit sad this year because Kat was not around but I thought about her all the time. Poor kid couldn’t come back this year but it’s okay cause we’re seeing her soon!

Eid is associated with many things – food, money packets, visiting relatives, firecrackers and many more but now I make it a point to make realistic Ramadhan and Eid resolutions for the next year to help keep me motivated.

Resolutions

1. Read at least a page of the Al Quran every day.
2. Do not commit to any breaking fast invitations for the last 10 days of Ramadhan. Go to the mosque for Taraweeh instead.
3. Create a charity activity with friends and family
4. Do not overspend on new Eid clothes and shopping expenses
5. Understand and memorise at least one Surah  in a week.

Last year, when I was away for Eid from my family for the very first time, my lesson learnt was to not sweat the small stuff. This year, as I was watching my relatives spend time with each other I realised if we ever really mean it when we ask for forgiveness.

Do we really mean it from the bottom of our hearts when we shake each other’s hands or when we type our Eid messages on Whatsapp to our friends and colleagues? Thing is, I do not know. I do it without realising myself, so one of the things I hope to do more is reflecting on my actions and deeds before asking for forgiveness.

Having a hometown to go back to during Eid is so nice because it’s somewhere nostalgic where all family members can meet. Having Rauf around visiting the places where I went as a kid made me feel so happy (and OLD).

As I kissed my grandmother’s hand goodbye before leaving for Joe’s hometown, I felt a sudden rush of sadness, something that I never felt before and found myself tearing up. It came as a shock but when I thought about it again maybe it’s because I am scared it would be the last time I get to kiss her hand again during Eid. For the past one year, a few people that we love had passed on so the thought of how fragile life was got to me as I was saying goodbye to my Wan.

Maybe I was being dramatic, but one of my lessons this year is to not have any regrets. Spoil and love your loved ones as much as you can now for you will never know when you get to see them again.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA EVERYBODY AND MAAF ZAHIR BATIN!