Inspiration on Awal Ramadhan....

I juz have to share with u tis lil experience I had today.
It's humblin & I almost shed a tear...I dunno if it's out of Sympathy, or Admiration...of an old Lady.

It was at least 45-60min since the end of Tarawih (special prayin session for Ramadhan nights), there as i left the mosque thru the back door, an old lady stood. I was shocked! She was leanin forward & holdin on to her walkin aid (see pic, it's somethin like that...i dunno what it's called!). My heart felt heavy at her sight. What is she doin by the road side alone, so late? Waitin for her son to pick her up? Waiting for a cab that would never pass her way? My mum made small talks with her, she said she was waitin for her husband. My heart whispered, "Oh God, pls let her hubby fetch her fast." She's a lil big-size & old & lookin all tired & feeble, I dunno if it's from the prayin (i guess she prayed sittin down) or the waitin.

Mum n I walked on and somehow when we were in front of the entrance of the mosque, we stopped in our track. I looked at my mum, she looked at me. We both have tis reluctant feelin of leavin her standin there all alone by the roadside. My mum told me to grab a chair for her n wait with her. Ok...so i did. The old lady was surprised by our gesture and told us that we should not have gone through such yada yada and soon enough, a London cab came, along with her husband. She thanked us and made her way slowly into the cab. Lookin at her move, again...i feel that heavy feelin in the heart....

I juz have her pictured in my head as we made our way back home....the thoughts of my granny came to mind. I remembered the last time i saw her(my granny) pray, her movements were really slow. From standin to ruku', to sujud n back up standin...slow, really slow. She's aged alot yet still strong enuff to be prayin juz like the rest of us. I'm thankful to God that my granny is still able to walk around unaided n despite her failin health, she's still very much alive (i hope!) n has not gone senile! Alhamdulillah!

Then i pictured myself in that old lady's condition. I wonder...what if i end up like her in the future? Would i have that determination n be as strong-willed as her to carry out my religious obligations n submit to God? When i'm all physically old n weak, will i still go to the house of worship to pray instead of juz lyin on my bed loathin my weakness or thinkin abt death? I feel kinda embarassed actually lookin at tis old lady cos even now, when i'm all young, healthy n vibrant, laziness gets the better of me.

Well...I dunno what the future holds, I juz hope that I'll grow old with the kind of spirit that old lady n my grandma have. As i move closer to my death, as life n physical strength (which i now seems to take for granted) are sucked away from me, I hope I will be strengthened spiritually day be day & die in the bliss of bein done my part as a servant of God & ambassador of my Deen in tis temporary world, thru His Guidance.

"Inna solati,
Wa nusuki, Wa mah yaya, Wa ma mati,
Lillahi Rabbil 'Alamin"

Dear God, hear me n let me not forget the declaration i recite to You, in every of my Solat...
Thank You for the lil bit of Inspiration on the blissful first nite of Ramadhan...
Masya Allah....

Picture taken from http://www.epica-awards.org