Today, Papa turns 59 years old.He still looked dashing as ever in his black trousers and plain cream shirt. Cream has always been his favourite colour. There was a very genuine and sincere smile papa as Hubby and I walked to the lounge. His whole family was here, finally. It is something hard to come by in the Lokman’s Residence. We got him a delicious classical cheesecake from the new outlet of Secret Recipe at Centre-Point. Since it is still a holiday season, cake of our choices were hard to come by, especially if you want it there and then. What I had in mind was the fabulous, mouth-watering sight of the White Macadamia Cheesecake. However, that had to wait for another beautiful occasion, as we needed a cake that was ready-made. My parents recently moved back to the condominium, again and this time with the installation of a new annoying doorbell. The ridiculous sound of the doorbell could be heard miles away. Fortunately the doorbell had an instrumental birthday song. Nevertheless, the spirit of celebrating Papa’s birthday has somehow made all of us absent-minded on the silly doorbell. “Aahhh! Finally we have a background music to sing Papa’s birthday song,” Sadique said. “ Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, Papa….,” we all sang with full of joy and cherishing the moments. Then, I realised how my father looked much older compared to the days in California, 22 years ago. My mind flashed back when he just turned 37 years old. It was in the year 1984; I was in the 3rd grade, studying in Monta Loma Elementary School. At 37, Papa had 3 beautiful children. Sadique and I were only 3 years apart that explains why I am closest among my siblings, while Said was 6 years apart from me in terms of age. Compared to my naughty brothers, I remembered the memories of the US, at a mature state of mind of a 7-year-old. I suddenly pictured my father coming back from work on his bicycle. He was lean and trim at 37.At that moment, I realised how weird it was when back home my father drives a nice looking car. But probably papa wanted to keep fit, I thought. As I observed Papa I thought he looked younger than his age though his hair was slowly depleting. “Too much studying and thinking”, he will tell me, jokingly. My brothers, Mama and I spent a lot of time with my father especially on weekends and public holidays. We treasured every minute with Papa, as his time was precious. Most of his “breathing time” was spent in his studies and at the lab. Sometime, I could hear Mama complaining but Papa never failed to put his priority right. That was the first, respect I saw in him at 8 years old. In the evening during summer was the most beautiful season in California. Papa would bring us to Fishermen’s Wharf, The Golden Gate Bridge and showed us how beautiful God’s Creation pointing to the hills and mountains. The Mountain’s in Yosemite was spectacular. Papa managed to bring us to Great America, Universal Studio and Disneyland too. It was splendid and looking back I enjoyed every moment I was in the US. But what I treasured most as part as my life in the US was studying in Monta Loma Elementery School. Ms Banta my schoolteacher has once asked me, “ Nazeha (pronounced as Na Zia), can you tell us what you would like to be when you grow up?” Confidently, I told my class “I want to be like my dad. He is a student. He was a doctor back in Malaysia, though. But I am not sure if he still is cuz he only wears his white coat in the lab.” “ Ohh!” Ms Banta would say. She giggled when she heard my explanation. Why do you want to be a student? You cannot possibly be a student all your life. In fact you are a student here in Monta Loma Elementary School. “ But Ms Banta, my father tells me we were all sent here to support him. He is studying in a beautiful university. My dad brought me to his University. Stanford University I noticed the building and the design is nice! It’s the top university in the US. “ That is true, Sweetie. Wow! Your father must be an intelligent man. Even average Americans can’t seem to enter there. It is the cream of the cream.” Ms Banta explained. From than on, my dream to go as high as I can in my personal and professional development has inspired me. I was most inspired on a one breezy summer day where my father brought Sadique and me for a walk along the remarkable Stanford University. I explored the park with Sadique. He was only 5 years old. We were being such brats as if the dragons have been released from their dungeons. We were running here and there, while observing the Americans. We both realised how beautiful the Californian girls are. I couldn’t stop noticing the gorgeous intelligent hunks lying down studying on the green cleaned grass as well. And I was not even 10 years old! At one point during that evening walk, we sat on a bench. It had a magnificent view. The place looked extremely alive and colourful, with all walks of life. The building with landscaping and designs was a piece of art. I could not comprehend and describe how beautiful it looked. The building architecture looked solid and old yet the people around it looked modern and energetic. It gave such good vibes just being there to watch the world around. I notice Papa was in a dazed while looking at the wonderful scenery of Palo Alto and I could not help but to noticed a smile of victory on his face. “ JJ, we are thousand of miles away from home, Malaysia. We are sitting comfortably on this bench looking at God’s Work. The whether is fine, the mountains, the ocean are spectacular. I wouldn’t be here..We would be here,if it was not for HIM. “Apart from from HIM, I have come this far, because of your Atuk and Wan. I was a kampung boy, who wanted to come out from poverty and make my parents proud. With their blessings, I am here in Stanford University with what matters most, my family”, he continued. “ All parents want to give their best to their children. I am proud to say in terms of life, I am better off than how I was as a child.” There is a moral behind my story, my dear. I hope that you or your brothers will make your Mama and me proud. Be better than me and perpetually continue to make success for you and your future family. Boastfully, I told my father, “ I will be as smart as you Papa. I am not sure whether I will be a successful doctor like you one day. But, I definitely want to go to the best schools there is and I will. I want to go to the institution which Ms Banta puts is “cream-of-the-cream”. My father was surprised that I shared this with my class in school. He always tells me, “My lovely daughter is so smart. She never fails to amuse me with her questions and share with me her experiences”. I knew then, I wanted to see that smile again from my father on the day I graduate from an Ivy League university, should that ever come. Over the years, I realised that I have a restless soul that has not find contentment with undying wish to reach to the top. The thought of me an innocent, naïve young girl who never knew the growing pains and the hardships of life made me realised that it is easier said that done. Someday, I pray and hope that I will finally find the real joy of happiness coupled with great achievements while having a lovely family to share with. I would not have felt the importance of education as a life investment, had Papa not implant it to me as I was growing up. Now married, hoping for off springs soon, I am still determine to fulfill my wishes as well as Papa’s, Insya Allah. Papa I hope you had a wonderful time on your birthday. I take this opportunity to tell the world that it has and always been you, Papa, my inspiration