Sunday 8 July 2012

Hitting the half-century mark

Around this time ten years ago, I was struggling to make a living in Kuala Lumpur. I was into my second month in a new job at a construction firm belonging to a friend. He had invited me to join his company with the objective of having me lead a new road project that he said he had secured. He even showed me the Letter of Intent issued by a certain government department indicating that the project was genuine.

Since I was out of work, I decided to accept his offer with a meagre allowance on the promise that a salary revision would be considered once the project gets under way. The first month passed by but no salary was in sight. As the first week of the following month elapsed without any news of the overdue pay, I decided that the place was not for me and approached my friend to tell him I was leaving. He immediately apologised for the salary delay and promised me that some funds would be available in the next few days and that I would get paid soon. But once I make up my mind, I seldom turn back. And so I left the firm with no money in my pockets and entered the jobless scene yet again.

I had just celebrated my 40th birthday... well, `celebrated' is an overstatement since I was alone and miserable in the capital city. Whoever coined the phrase that `life begins at 40', certainly had other things in mind.

From that point onwards, the next 10 years of my life has been a roller coaster ride, at least for the last few years anyway. But then, isn't a roller coaster ride meant to give you that thrill of adrenalin rush, that feeling of excitement? Indeed, such ups and downs gives life that colourful spread of variety that we call experience.

I reached my 50-year birthday two days ago. Nothing special happened, just a simple family dinner at a restaurant in town. But I am happy and grateful. I have my reasonably good health and my sons are doing well in school. We have a roof over our heads and our debts are manageable. I have a lot to be thankful for.

Now that I have reached this milestone, half-a-century doesn't seem to be long time at all. May the Almighty grant us all the life and good health to be meeting again in another blog post next year... insyaAllah.

My youngest son Imran and his grandfather (my father) at our simple dinner last night


20 comments:

eddy said...

Happy belated birthday Bro, welcome to the half century club :))

Anonymous said...

assalam Oldstock
Happy belated birthday to you..
Baru 50? Muda lagi tuuu... :-)

Dah jalan2 ke JPO?
-CS-

Fadhil said...

Thanks Eddy... nice club to be in :-)

Fadhil said...

Cik Som, muda lagi kalau banding dgn orang yang dah 60, haha...

I've not been to JPO yet tapi orang rumah dah pegi... almaklumlah orang pompuan ni tak sabo, takleh tunggu. Nasib baik dia tak beli apa-apa. Semua barang mahal, katanya...

PEES Old Boy said...

As Salam Bro, it has been long time since I saw your dad. From the picture he certainly looks great. Sorry for my ignorance, is your mum around? Do convey may salams to them.

Nmy

Anonymous said...

Belated birthday wishes to you. Oldstock, I am always with the believe that adversity makes one a better person and yes, the simplest things in life are what keeps us going.

Have a blessed day :)

Awang Goneng said...

May your life be blessed. Don't count the years, count the quality of the years. Each day is a gift but unlike other gifts, we have to examine each and every one closely. PS That's a very big glass of tea!

Fadhil said...

Din,

Yes, my mom is still around, cuma not in this pic. In fact both of them are here in JB today spending the weekend. I'll convey your regards.

Fadhil said...

Thanks Noir, for the wishes.

Fadhil said...

Pak Awang, yes you are right about counting the quality of the years. And on that basis, I can say that most of what I went through were wonderful years.

Yes, both my father and I had a large glass of not tea, but neslo (nescafe campur milo).

Anonymous said...

In the next 2 years' time, I will be joining the club. Fear of hitting that number #5.

OS, you mentioned "meeting again in another blog post next year". You nak gi maner?

Rafiah (from Singapore)

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Oldstock,

I believe that U are blessed in many many ways, maybe not financially. From my reading here, you are blessed with a supportive family, good obedient kids, relatively good health and lots of friends, online and offline.

U are blessed with the ability to articulate your thoughts and convey them in the form of blog posting (which many people with lotsa money can't do!) Your writings inspire many to think outside the box, to savour life to the fullest, to appreciate family and to live simple.

Without U realising it, U are in a small way an inspiration to some readers. That itself is a form of da'awah!

This birthday, rest assured that U have done some good in this life!

Fadhil said...

Rafiah,

Don't worry too much. 50 is a nice number.

I'm not going anywhere as yet. Cuma figuratively speaking that I look forward to another blessed year to reach another birthday, insyaAllah.

Fadhil said...

Jehan,

Thank you my friend, for those very encouraging words. I am touched.

Now I need to find the drive to continue writing.. ye tak? :-)

zafi said...

Happy belated birthday uncle Oldstock,

May Allah granted you with happy life . You look younger though. I am impress :)
Anyway the foods look great! especially the fish! I cant wait to go back home now... :D

Fadhil said...

Zafi, thanks for the wish.

I think you may be mistaken. The young man in the pic is my son. I am still old as oldstock can be :-)

Papa-NtiQ said...

hello bro..lama tak dengar berita. my birthday is on 21st July..the first day of ramadhan haha!...1961

Fadhil said...

Hello Papa antik,

Sibuk banyak la bro... tension kat tempat kerja pun ya juga. Selamat menyambut ramadhan dan birthday sekali!

koolmokcikZ said...

happy belated birthday Oldstock. May there be many more

Fadhil said...

Tq Koolmokcik... dah rasa tua dah ni...