Hitting the big 3-0

“…You’ve already lost 10 percent of your muscle mass. And, on average, you’re almost $20,000 in debt. But don’t despair. At 30, Harrison Ford was working as a carpenter, and neither Oprah nor Jane Austen had found fame. Edvard Munch’s famous painting The Scream? Created at 30.”
- Book of Ages 30

It’s not like I don’t realize that I'm getting old, what with the fine lines beginning to appear at the corner of my eyes and all. But I sometimes still feel like a kid. Friends and cousins laughed upon hearing what I asked from hubby for my birthday – a huge teddy bear. “That sounds like a request coming from a three-year-old, maybe a thirteen-year old – but thirty???”

(Well, I don’t know – what’s wrong with getting a teddy bear at thirty anyway? I’d been rather specific in my request – it must be huge and comfy-soft and very huggable and doesn’t get dirty easily and of good quality so that it can last for many more years to come. Okay, so maybe it’s not just for me – maybe it’s also for my baby…)

Now that I’ve reached one of the significant “agemarks”, I guess it’s time for me to revisit the past years, to learn from my own experiences as well as to take heed of what others have to offer and prepare to brace what is in store for me in the future. It’s not like I’ve never ponder on the meaning of life before – but pondering on this subject matter at different stages of life, I supposed, makes we realise how we change and look at things differently, after going through moments of good laugh, good fun, some pain and some anguish.

Anyway – I guess, now that I’ve hit the big three-oh, based on the average lifespan of a Malay Muslim female living in Malaysia, I have less time on earth to perform good deeds as Allah’s humble servant compared to younger sisters. I have less time to equip myself with knowledge – both duniawi and ukhrawi - in preparing for the hereafter. I also have less time to ‘change the world’ or ‘make a difference’ – but I’m going to try my best, one day at a time.

It’s also time to reflect and be thankful, alhamdulillah, on the fact that I’m doing quite well for an average thirty-year old. Got a well-paid (not highly-paid, but I’m content) stable job, no study loan to worry about, a close-knit family, a loving husband, a child on the way, loads of caring friends, not a single gray hair as yet and in the process of purchasing our own house… All in all – not too bad. Not too bad.

But of course – still have a long way to go before becoming a full-fledge mature and responsible 40-year old. (That’s part of the reason why Rasulullah only became a Rasul after he reached 40 – those younger than 40 are never quite mature enough, especially from the viewpoint of their ‘older-and-wiser’ parents)

Until then, I guess I‘ll just savour each day as they come and keep on living, loving, learning, relearning, unlearning…

#####
By the way – here’s a note of appreciation to all who’ve made my thirtieth birthday a happy one, especially to:

My dearest hubby, who called many times (instead of just making missed calls) throughout the day – beginning from 1.20 a.m. (five minutes before my delivery time as per recorded in my birth certificate), bought me two stuffed black-and-white panda bears – a huge lovely-to-be-hugged (the largest in my collection to date) for me and a smaller version for our baby and also sent me a fine card which, though not a Hallmark, managed to stir the deepest feelings. I look forward to us spending birthdays together (instead of miles away) in years to come, insya Allah.

Jue – for sending the first of many SMSs;

Chah – for sending the first of many YM messages;

Masni – for sending the largest and most colourful YM message;

Shireen – for initiating a round of congratulatory e-mail among fellow officemates and ex-officemates;

Dak One E – for that absolutely wonderful Baker’s Cottage’s Royal Fruit cake;

Queyah – for the most surprising birthday e-card;

Rinie – for the most unexpected phone call;

… and the rest who had formed part of making it a truly beautiful day for me -
Terima kasih.

May all your dreams come true too and may Allah bless always.




"thirteen going thirty... heheheh"



"that huge panda bear..."