I got woken up by a phone call at 7.30am this morning. I couldn’t make out what the lady was saying. When she started crying, I realised that it was Aishah and she was trying to tell me that “Grandma” has passed away. In my morning stupor, I told her to take care of herself and I’m sorry about Grandma’s passing
I laid in bed trying to process what just happened. Mdm Mariam has passed away. I just visited her a couple of weeks ago. Strangely, i flipped through my mental album of her. There were very rare occasions when she looked happy. You can’t blame her. She was in pain and hanging in there for her family. There was always a sense of woefulness surrounding her. She was a strong-willed arab. Walked out of a bad marriage. Raised her daughter single handed after her second husband died in a war. I didn’t think she will be one to shy away from a fight either. I liked her feisty spirit. I was amused when she told me that she used to be in a secret society. She did what she did to survive.
The day passed but I felt like I was trapped in a different time zone. Going through motion. Dealing with death still doesn’t come easy for me. It hits you like a curve ball when you lest expects it. I know she’s in a better place and that’s all that matters.
Marc | 04-Jun-10 at 9:04 am | Permalink
So sorry to hear. How permanently our worlds can change in a day (or overnight). We take for granted the continuity, but really it’s illusionary.
You were incredibly brave to take on this project. It was never about whether you could expose the stories through your shots (with your talent, that’s a given). And there was no way you could stand back and be an impassionate recorder… because you’re you… and it wouldn’t have worked that way anyway.
**big hug**
I guess to know anyone deeper than the surface is to have your own life enriched. It certainly sounds like Mdm Mariam did that.
admin | 04-Jun-10 at 11:03 am | Permalink
hey marc, thanks and don’t worry about me. I think the family were more brave in confronting the issue.
well, it’s a strange way of having my life enriched but i guess god or life works in mysterious ways.
hope you have been well. saw yr vesak day pics. they look good. Where’s the rest of it eh?