After the commotion last night, Nana was upset that he was not involved in the drama and sulked for much of the day. Mom has started scouring recipe books looking for foods that would help keep indigestion and reflux out of our lives. And Dad, well he is mostly over the embarrassment, but Mama will not let the episode slide by so easily. In fact, every moment he has been around, he has found an opportunity to tease Dad, leaving us all in stitches.

And as usual, the subject of me being married was once again brought up as Mama said he would include the tale in his speech at my wedding!

Later, I was looking out my window when I spotted Daadi and Papa on the garden swing, in deep conversation. I was curious to know what the subject of their conversation was, especially as they chose to have it away from everyone and that they spent all their time together.

With little to do, I decided to join them in the garden, hoping that I would get a snippet of their stories and because I loved their company.

“As salaamu alaikum, Papa, Daadi. I saw you sitting here and thought I would come spend some time with you on this wonderful say”, I chirped feeling like a naughty child.

“Come sit with us. It’s been a while since we talked with you.”, Daadi smiled as she welcomed me. Papa, looking rather serious said, “We’re talking about important things, old peoples’ stuff.”

Inquisitive and intrigued, I asked, “What kind of stuff, Papa?” He looked and Daadi who seemed to be engrossed in the leaves of the plant next to her and then responded, “We are talking about what should happen to our belongings when we die, it such an important matter. “

And then as if the topic had become too heavy to discuss further, he asked, “Sofia, are you keeping track of any salaah or fast that you may have missed for some reason? It’s important that you do and more important my girl, is that you pray the qaadha and keep the fasts when you can.”

Daadi piped up then, “As we are getting long in the tooth”, she chuckled, “keeping track of our missed salaah, fasts and finances is important we must make hisaab, kitab.”

I knew exactly what they meant and although it was not a topic I wanted to discuss, I knew how important these matters were to them as they had always instilled them in us. But it was furthest from mind, if at all.”

I felt sad as I looked at my ageing grandparents and felt the deep love, and affection I had for them all. I knew to that we all lived on borrowed time.

Daadi sensed my sadness, touched my hand gently and said, “Sofia, Allah is Al-Aakhiru. We are born to die as Allah has decreed for the children of Adam. As believers, we wait for our return to Allah, so pray for forgiveness and pray that we are reunited in Jannah.”

Her words echoed in my mind as I remembered how I felt when Dad was at the hospital and I knew that there were lessons I needed to take from this – being accountable for my actions and remembering death more often.

“The most sagacious one from among you is he who remembers death the most, and the most prudent one from among you is he who is the most prepared for it.” – (Alam al-Din, no. 333)