Kak Som in Loving Memories

My instinct told me that something was going to happen not long after
I received the last hug from my sister. She really hugged me tight like never before.

Me with some of Abang Dir's and Kak Som's children and grandchildren
during the last Hari Raya in Seremban.

Last Sunday evening 9 November 2008 I received a call from Eddie my nephew that his mother's condition has worsened and critical. The respiratory machine and the oxygen aid could not do much to help Kak Som breath normally. she was high on morphin doses and had been in coma for 3 consecutive days.

Later on at 9 pm I received a distressed call from Abang Nan, both of us were in tears. Kak Som has finally left us to see the Almighty. I could not help but broke into tears in amoiglam's arms. Kak Som had been so good to me and the whole family. Frankly telling that I have spent more time with Kak Som's family and Kak Yam's family while my mother was still around. During my school holidays I would rather spend my time with Eddie, my closest friend and nephew (Kak Som's third child). We are of the same age. Kak Som took very good care of me since that I have been without a father ever since I was 7 years old. Even my brother the late Abang Ta was also very close to Eddie's eldest brother, Izani. Our siblings have been very close to each other. There were 9 of us altogether. Abang Pa our eldest left us at the age of 39 and so did Abang Ta at 39. Both of them had heart attacks at a very early age. I myself was very lucky to have survived my bypass surgery at the age of 38.

As far as I could remember from stories about Kak Som from my late mother, Kak Som had never gone to school, but she still reads. Maybe she learned from our late grandfather Nik Abdul Rahman or learned it elsewhere. Kak Som was born in 1941, being the 2nd child and the eldest girl was raised by our grandfather and grandmother Cik Munah in Pasir Mas because our grandfather worked at the Land Office and opened up the kampung by order of the British Government. Till now the street where our grandfather's house used to stand was named upon our grandfather's nickname, Lorong Pak Nik Man. My late father was working in Kual Krai and took my mother and Abang Pa with him. From what I understand Abang Nal and Abang Pin who were born later were also brought up in Kuala Krai. My father worked there as a clerk in the Forestry Department checking the timbers brought out from Dabong and Gua Musang via the Kelantan River.

Abang Dir was a handsome young man from Rembau and worked as a Land Surveying clerk together with my grandfather. Every day he would follow my grandfather back home for lunch because they were close friends and sort of menthor and menthee. He paid monthly for lunch because in the 50's there were not many hygienic eating shops in Pasir Mas besides Kopitiams and further more my grandmother was a good cook too. Kak Som was only 16 years old when she married Abang Dir. She has been blessed with 5 wonderful children Ani, An, Eddie, Jimmy and Eda. All of them are succesful in their own ways.

I can never forget Kak Som's wonderful Rendang, Nasi Goreng, Mee Goreng and Bihun Goreng. Even Kak Yati, amoiglam's sister was so amazed with Kak Som's Bihun Goreng. Eventhough Kak Som and Abang Dir were not rich but both of them had done too many good deeds for our family. I would not have enjoyed the almost monthly picnics by the beach while I was a kid if not for Kak Som and Abang Dir's generousity. My father never owned any car, so travelling was very rare for us when we were small. Only Abang Dir and Abang Pa had cars during the 60's. Kak Som even took care of me during my curcumcision (berkhatan) which Abang Dir had sponsored at their home in Kota Bharu.

Let Kak Som's soul rest in peace and let us pray for her while remembering all the loving memories of her. We all love you Hajah Nik Kelsom Nik Yusoff.