Where were you yesterday – August 8, 2008 or 08-08-08? Are you in Beijing witnessing the opening ceremony of this year’s Olympic? Are you at home watching it on T.V? Or are you just wasting it just like any other day?
Yesterday was a long day for me – a very long day.
For those who are totally number addict…
8 may be your auspicious number. Some say it brings good luck and good thing. Imagine yesterday, you have a string of eights. What would that brings you? Triple luck? You figured.
Yesterday, when I reached home and about to savor the taste of my favorite ‘roti canai telur’ (not really describable if you’ve never been to this country), I got a phone call from my Aunt who stay with my Grandma.
“Can you come over? Something’s not quite right with Granny,” I sensed panic in her voice. “She complained that it’s hard to catch her breath, and she felt pain on the left side,” She added. “I’ll be there right away. Just hang on.” And I quickly rushed out of the house.
08-08-08 is a Friday…
Friday is when traffic at my place increases it flows. It gets heavier as the day approached midday, just before we Moslem perform our congregational pray. I can’t explain how that always happens but I just go along with it. It’s easier that way.
Knowing this, I decided to use the so-called ‘by-pass’ road. It ‘s very much improved with two lanes on both side and street lights a few meters apart from one another. I can press the acceleration pedal with more confidence all the way.
But then…
After negotiating a corner, I felt something had happened to my car. Oh! I’m driving a Korean made car which I had all the intention to change to a Japanese made car soon, due to the change in petrol price. But I ignored it since I don’t feel the car swayed or compromised.
A bad feeling grew stronger. I decided to stop by the roadside to do a quick inspection. A passer-by in a home-made Perodua Kancil honk at me, and signaled me with his hand. Let’s just say I understand what his sign language means 
I just nod.
Look at that…
The rear tyre of my car, on the left side, was totally flat! Totally. I can’t believe that my car still can give me the driving comfort. Really, I was puzzled with that. At that moment, if I think about 08-08-08, this is the second ‘not-so-good-thing’ I experienced that day.
So much for the triple good things ey? Or was it?
Considering the ‘still-good’ condition of my car, well, maybe it’s one of the good strings of things. Who knows, there may be more to come. And maybe I spoke to soon because there’s one ‘open 7 days’ workshop right in front of me. Must be my luck…
Good and bad balance each other…
That seems to be the case for me. As a bad thing tried to ride on ole’ me, a good thing comes around to balance it out – a punctured tyre, a stable ride, a ‘convenient’ workshop…all fall into their places nicely. Like it was planned and governed by a Higher Authority. Maybe it’s a Friday. I don’t know.
I just follow the flow.
After much inspection, the culprit was a ‘crooked’ nail. How in hell did it end in my tyre? Where did I pick it up? It doesn’t matter. My Granny is more important. So I quickly made a few phone calls.
First, I called my younger brother who stays with Granny. He said he was on his way back. But I sensed there’s no panic or urgency in his voice. That’s weird.
Next, I called my younger sister. She’s still at her office. I ‘ordered’ her to immediately pick me up from the workshop so I can go and see Granny. She had a better idea. “If this is serious, let me go to Granny first. Besides, the traffic is really bad now.” She suggested.
I give that idea a go.
What’s wrong with Granny?
It’s not serious. It’s not critical. And it’s not her heart. Actually, Granny has high blood pressure. I thought, like my late Uncle, ‘Stroke’ was paying her a visit. When my Sister broke me the news, I was relieved.
3 hours later, I was at Granny’s house. All I can say is, she’s as healthy as ever. Doctor just prescribed some antacids. That’s all. The diagnosis was she had too much ‘air’ in her, especially on her left side.
I was more relief when I saw her.
So, how would you remember 08-08-08 yesterday?
If you only have one chance to make yesterday more memorable…
If you only have one action to make yesterday more meaningful…
If you only have one day to make all other days count…
How would you do it? How would you want it to be remembered?
Yesterday was a long day for me – a very long day, and oh…I didn’t tell you that right after coming back from Granny’s house, I took a quick shower and prepared myself for ‘an hour journey’ to one of my best friends sister’s wedding? The wedding place was in Trengganu and Friday is like Sunday to them.
Good and bad follows each other like shadow. And the most important lesson of all – Good or Bad, it’s in the thinking.
May you see 08-08-08 as a day full of Goodness, and the day after, and the day after, and the day after, and on, and on, and on…
Make everyday your Good Day.
