Marhoom Al-Haj S.H.M. Kamil, JP, MMC Together yet Apart

A Golden heart stopped beating  
Hard working hands at rest  
It broke our hearts to see you go  
God only takes the best  
In tears we watched you sinking  
We watched you fade away  
And though our hearts were breaking  
We knew you could not stay  

 One of the things that each of us must face at some point in this life, is its end. As many of you know that my Grandpa Al-Haj S.H.M. Kamil has always been my superhero, he is my hero not because what he did, but because of who he was.   

 I had always planned to write a tribute to my Grandpa whenever the date finally comes and it is the most difficult task I have ever undertaken since 2015.   

 My Grandpa’s life had a huge value. Certainly to me, to my mum, to all of our family members and surely to each and everyone in the society. From wherever we are, we all had the good fortune of having had an association with this incredible man. Grandpa was a lot of things, and he wouldn’t have had it any other way. He wanted to be there for people as best as he could, by providing what they needed when they need it.   
 He was smart. There wasn’t a thing he didn’t knew. To us he was not only a Grandpa, he was a father, a brother, a friend, he was also a counsellor, a dictionary and an encyclopedia. Grandpa was known for his wealth of knowledge.   

 He was brave. He had the kind of unshakable strength that we all wish we could possess. His courage was unwavering. But his bravest moments came in his ability to shoulder on. Nothing got Grandpa down – never and not even when he was in the hospital, he’d usually be back on his feet the day he was discharged, he showed no fear; I’m convinced that part of his brain was instead replaced with tremendous resilience.    He was super strong. He would have moved mountains for the people, he went head to head within everyone. His notable disposition whenever he was asked if he needed something was to have a kind smile at them.    He was funny, Grandpa loved to make people laugh. One of his favorite stories to tell was of when he was young and a kid. He was independent. And that’s my kind of saying he was stubborn. He wanted things his way or no way at all. He was selfless. Grandpas’ happiest moments were when he was working to make someone else happy. He loved us more than he loved himself.   

 Grandpa was a medical miracle, a walking legend, he fought for things he believe in what is good for others, he fought for the people he loved, and he fought for his life. In his final days he fought to make sure we knew how much he loved us which we already knew.  

 He was grateful. He came from a poor childhood and never dreamt that one day he’d have a beautiful family, a spacious house and all of this love. I know he would want us all to smile when we think of him and he would be moved to know that he had an immense impact on our lives.

Lucky for us, it wasn’t just a small impact he made, but a big one. He changed our lives, and we’re better people for knowing him.    Grandpa taught me that the world is beautiful enough for us to try and figure it out. Grandpa has consistently given me the greatest gift I could’ve ever had and that is Himself. Because of you Grandpa, I am blessed with an unquenchable self-confidence and a heart overflowing with love, you still are and always will be my hero. I’m better because all the things Grandpa taught me. I’m better because of all the love Grandpa showed me to share. I am also better because of My Grandpa.   

 He is the finest man I have ever known. Considering my Grandpa, his life and everything he stood for, I want to say him “Grandpa … Well done, well done…”  

 When I still hear and remember what he told me and my beloved cousin sister on his last day was that to love the family, be good girls, be a strong women in the society and to protect ourselves, and also he didn’t forget to tell us that we both were the apples of his eyes, always make tears stream down our face.   

 “Grandpa if you are listening; we all miss you and love you so…”  

 Thufa Tharick   
 (Granddaughter on behalf of the Grandchildren  )