Of Family, Friends and Foes - updated

20 February 2009

It's Friday night and I've just returned from a truly pleasant distraction in my, otherwise, rather dull life. So much effort is needed for me to drag my lazy self to anywhere! Those who understand me, know this is the story of my life. Homemaker, homebody and homely! Truth is, indeed, stranger than fiction.

When I was driving home, I gave some thought to the groups of people that revolve around my life. In my opinion, the three major categories would be (1) Family, (2) Friends and (3) Foes.

Family - We CAN'T choose them!

We are born into the family and we have no alternative but to accept that our blood contains the genes that bind us. Some of us have great relationships and some don't. However, no matter what the strength of those ties are, the fact remains that we belong to the same clan.

Then comes the extended family from divorce, re-marriage, death or whatever other reason. This group also forms an integral part of our life. I am very proud to say that, in general, I am fine with everyone. I am not always in touch with them all but the knowledge that we are family holds us together.

This photo collage is of my immediate family! It doesn’t go beyond two levels! I am very proud of the fact that there is love, acceptance and tolerance despite the racial and religious differences. This is what being an “Anak Bangsa Malaysia” is about.

Friends - We CAN choose them.

Somewhere I read that “friends” are the family we choose for ourselves. I smiled when I first saw that. I think it is a superb notion that our friends are quite like “family” too.

We make friends in different periods of our lives: kindergarten, school (primary and secondary), college, uni, work, parties, clubs, mamak stall, gyms, etc. We have different sets of friends and sometimes we are different with each group. It doesn’t mean we have split personalities. It just means that each group brings out a different side of us.

One group of friends whom I affectionately call my “vigil family” is growing from strength to strength. I can barely keep up with who is who sometimes. But you know what? It doesn’t matter if you know all of them or if they know you! When we are together, there’s love and trust and camaraderie.

These three collages truly speak for themselves. You can almost touch the feeling of unity that was generated in that place. I left early and I did not know the party had carried on with more merry-making and dancing. However, I was there for the show of solidarity, in the form of a prayer for RPK. It was a very magical moment. We all prayed in our own way!

Please note the collage is not photoshopped! These pictures are real! The “Anak Bangsa Malaysia”, from all walks of life, in all shapes and sizes, of different races and religions, stood united together and sent a loud message to God.

Dare we believe that the moment made God smile? Yes, we can!

More of the Anak Bangsa Malaysia!

A final collage where you can see how it was worth the effort to join them. Sadly, I missed the late fun. Snif snif

Finally Foes - They choose us!
I don't want to waste my time nor space on them. All I can say is "what goes around, comes around" and "It's not over, 'till it's over".


Signing off......
Anak Bangsa Malaysia
Credit: Some pictures in the collage were taken by Pahlawan Volunteer and The Whisperer.


See the whisperer and dawningeyes, pahlawan volunteer, delcapo, and beyond51 for more!