All Malaysians knew fully well that the date 13th May has a bad and tragic connotation for it was a date in the year 1969 that was forever viewed as the darkest day in Malaysia's relatively young history.
To be fair and in all honesty, that "baby' Malaysia has though have come of age and the 40 years since that tragic day has seen the country progressing leaps and bounds.
No doubt any cynics will say that Malaysia has failed in certain aspects but taking within its stride all its weaknesses and failings Malaysia has though journeyed throughout those years with greater prosperity and improved quality of life for its populace.
We,maybe taking cue from our past colonial masters, always being harsh on ourselves and never intended to celebrate the good things that has come out from our unique , diverse and multicultural society.
I believe it is our uniqueness that has been the embodiment of strength for the nation and one day within my own lifetime i fervently hope that our OneMalaysia will indeed be a practical reality.
To me though 13th May is always a special date for me and the family.
It was on that date in the year 1987 our first child was born. We named him Azri, which i believe in Arabic meant "strength".
Indeed being a father for the first time has brought bigger responsibilities to a young man then .
How time flies, Azri is now a fledgling 22 year old teenager.
We may have our usual disagreements and sometimes as loving parents we despair at their behaviour but we are proud to say that he has turn out all right.
I view him more as a best friend now and our unconditional love for our children will certainly not ebb even with the passing years.
His birthday today also reminds me of life's continuing journey, a journey of growing old hopefully with grace, a journey as you look back that you have done your best for your children and as our own love for our beloved nation, we take in our children as they are, warts and all.
To Azri in Sydney, we wish you a happy birthday.
envy your family's happiness
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