Enhancing family ties: Despite their age, senior citizens still go out to visit relatives' homes to greet them Hari Raya, seeking for forgiveness and to strengthen ties. Picture: BT/SaifulizamBANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (The Brunei Times), October 5, 2008
THE festive Raya spirit may be exciting for children, but the joyous occasion also proves that age is not a barrier with senior citizens not being excluded from making customary visits to relatives' houses.
For 79-year-old Hjh Maimonah Hj Bakar, Raya is still a festive season for her as she continues the tradition of visiting relatives with her children. "I am glad that despite a minor illness, I am still blessed with good health," she said.
She said that she found the celebration more relaxing as the years progressed as her children took care of all the preparations and leaving her to enjoy the festivities with friends and families.
Hjh Amit Kassim, a 74-year-old, who was hospitalised last year, said she was glad she could spend her Ramadhan and Syawal at her own house.
The Lumut resident said injuries to her spinal cord last year have restricted her movement which prevented her from baking cakes and cookies for Raya.
Hj Julaihi Hj Abu Bakar found Raya to be less festive since the demise of his wife two years ago.
"It is just not the same anymore," he said, adding that previously the eve of Raya will be a happy occasion for his whole family as his eight children go to their house and prepare meals for the first day of Raya.
However, with the death of his wife, the annual get-together does not feel the same anymore, he said.
"Only a few of my children get together on the eve of Raya this year and the preparation is not as much as previously, I think in our heart our family still misses my late wife," added the 65-year-old.
A retired Royal Brunei Armed Forces personnel, Pg Hj Hamid Pg Alli Omar, said that he found Raya to be merrier while he was sitll working for the armed forces.
He recalled the time when they have to spend a whole month in the jungle but still celebrate the festive occasion by performing Takbir (Praising God) Raya and mass Aidil Fitri prayers at their campsite.
Since becoming a retiree, he said that everyone had their own things to do.
"I found it rather lonely without my old friends even though my family celebrated it with me," he said.
Hj Kassim Hj Muhammad, who raised his six children all by himself since his wife died 23 years ago, said the joy of Raya to him is the time he spends with his 20 great grandchildren.
"Nothing means more than seeing the joy and happiness in their eyes," he said. (DKR1)
The Brunei Times
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