I'm writing in the era of the 'new norm'. Yes, the world has been hit by this new norm following the outbreak which later being declared as a pandemic by WHO, it is the so much talked about COVID-19. Who has not talked about it. Even a child would know by now what is COVID-19 is. It has caused such an uproar to the world with millions of death all throughout the world, so fatal that it caused businesses to shut down, educational institutions being closed and hospitals swarmed with patients. It is something the world will remember and to be written as a history. Who would have thought, the so much awaited 2020 presented the world with such significant event, so significant that the world braced it together, it is war against something that never even crossed our minds.
In Malaysia, I would proudly say that we handle the pandemic steadily, bravely, and successfully. At the point of this piece written, we are on the 4th order of lockdown, also known as movement Control Order (MCO), the first three being the strictest. This period will be remembered forever in people's lives because it could have changed their lives forever or may leave a significant mark in their lives. Some lost their jobs, businesses, or even their loved ones to the virus. Schools and unis have been closed for the past two months physically and classes have been conducted online, shops and offices were closed until recently, and even public transport was only partially operating for a while. We are locked inside the house, no outing unless required to get necessities. Life goes on online and in the house. And somehow, miraculously, we survive!! And amazingly, it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Yeah, some boredom and glitches here and there but yeah, we survived. Alhamdulillah due to the strict measures taken, the country managed to bring down the numbers of infected local people to a single digit as of yesterday for a week now. The only number increasing is the number from detention centers of the illegal immigrants. Malaysia has come to live with the new norm that soon will become the way of life.
There are so much good in this. I called them the hidden hikmah. Am not sure if others see it but I do. I see so much good in it that I will miss this situation once situation goes back to normal, though the normal could be the new normal after all. I like the fact that everybody is safe at home. Though I wish they are being more productive. The kids have online classes but only a few hours of the day, and they also have assignments to do. But I still see them having free time most of the time. Perhaps it is my fault for not having a schedule for them. Perhaps! But I am not that kind of kiasu mother who would impose such on the children. What I get to train them mostly during the lockdown is their inner self through some physical activities. One way or the other I get to see them in person 24 hours, their good and bad. Hence I get to build them up slowly to be the person they should be at their age. For example, I get to train them in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning, cleaning the house which include the toilets as well, I get to hear them read the quran and able to correct their mistakes, I get them to do all the house chores at any time (since they are home most of the time) and guide them accordingly. And most importantly, the family bonding time. That is the most precious of all. We get to have meals together for all meals, we get to perform prayers together, gardening, watch movies, have a quick and long chat, and so much more. And surprisingly, there's not much of a quarrel other than quick bickering and loving spat. It may sound too good to be true, but this truly happened. As much I couldn't believe it sometimes, I thank God for all these. We might live in fear of the virus, but Allah has shown us and granted us so much more than the fear.
Though I may see the good in this in my family, I do realised that many more families are suffering. Those living in poverty with no job, shelter above their head nor food on the table. Those being abused in their own homes, or those lacked the family they yearned for due to the distance. May Allah grant them jannah for having to suffer from all those and may Allah ease their sufferings. I do only so little that I help whenever I can.
I pray that all will be well. I pray that Allah will lift up the virus from us all or lead us to the solution that can prevent us from this virus. He is the Most Powerful and Most Knowing, He gives us the virus so that we wake up and change our lives.. it is nothing but for the better as He is the Best planner of all.
PS; i am writing this to mark this historical event just as written by everybody else in every other part of the world.
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