FAMILY IS MY FAVORITE WORD

On the campus of the oldest university in Malaysia where the grandparents first met and fell in love, the family happily boarded an old customized bus. In the rearview mirror, the image faded into another picture of the early days.

Those were the days the young man dreamed of becoming a father with strong, broad shoulders, and the young woman a mother with loving kindness.

Then came the days when a boy with his cheeky smile entered the world, then a girl who cried like her. 

Someday the young father would grow into a wise, quiet grandad, and the young mother a grandma with a gentle smile.

They held each other’s hand, rain or shine, like a family. 

They stood by each other, with tears or laughter, as a family.