19/08/2026
WHEN DID I… BECOME OLD? 🤭
Age is just a number.
Because if it wasn’t, apparently I should be dressing “appropriately for my age” — according to people around me. 🤪
Turning 50 two years ago was just another day on the calendar.
I was 30 twenty-two years ago.
Now I’m 52.
And life goes on.
Sure, there’s some brain fog along the way.
Walking speed has slowed down a little.
Memory sometimes decides to take leave.
Hot flushes come and go. 😵💫
But as long as nothing stopped me in my tracks, I never gave ageing much thought.
Until last week.
I woke up feeling imbalanced.
My right side felt much heavier than my left.
My first thought?
Maybe I only lost weight on my left side. 🤪🤪🤪
Then the numbness on the right side of my face became more obvious.
But hello… it was Friday.
I had to attend to!
Cream buns needed packing.
Cartons of bananas needed moving.
Food packs needed arranging.
Drivers were coming for collection.
Then my right hand decided to have a mind of its own.
Tomato rice that was supposed to go INTO the food box decided to jump ship and splatter itself across the prep table.
OMG. 😳
Did I panic?
No.
I called my niece to ask whether I should take Panadol Extra or something for muscle pain. 🤭
She didn’t answer.
So I did the next best thing.
I asked ChatGPT.
I’m human after all. 🫣
The answer was basically:
Stop what you’re doing. Call 995. These could be signs of a stroke or TIA.
And my first reaction?
Damn it… I have tonnes of work today. Why TODAY of all days?! 😵💫
After making sure my part-timers could handle the morning’s work, I called the ambulance myself.
I thought I was going to NTFGH.
Plot twist: NUH instead. 😜
The symptoms were concerning enough for stroke investigations.
After three days and an MRI follow-up…
Syukur Alhamdulillah — it was NOT a stroke.
Instead, I was told I have degenerative changes/impingement around C4, C5 & C6 in my cervical spine, which may explain the numbness, weakness and imbalance I experienced.
Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. ❤️
What can I say?
Apparently I’m too busy to have a stroke. 🤪
(My family has already scolded me for saying this.)
This perfectly imperfect body has finally reminded me:
When it is tired — SIT.
When it needs rest — REST.
Rehabilitation and physiotherapy will be part of my journey now.
And yet, there are so many reasons to be thankful.
When people heard I had been admitted, family, friends and customers called, checked on me, visited me and showered me with care…
…peppered with plenty of scolding, especially from my sisters. 😂
Am I blessed?
Beyond words. 😭❤️
For all my shortcomings, Allah has still given me a body that works, people who matter, and people who genuinely care.
Allah is so very Kind and Generous.
And this happened on the 1st day of Rabiulawal, no less.
So yes, I am supposed to rest and recuperate.
And I WILL rest.
But work will continue — with a LOT more delegation. 😍
For years, we have run our ❤️ campaign, sharing food with people around us — from mosques to rental estates.
And this year, insyaAllah, we continue.
❤️ 12th Rabiulawal — Tuesday, 25 August
🥣 500 bowls of Beef Porridge
🏠 5 rental estates around Singapore
“Cannot rest izzit?” 😂
I can already hear everyone.
I promise I will do only what my body allows — and not beyond it.
This campaign will be done together with others, and I humbly seek your support.
There is absolutely no obligation.
It is simply an extension of our love for our Beloved Prophet ﷺ.
May our small efforts bring forth Allah SWT’s love, mercy and blessings.
And perhaps this entire episode was Allah’s way of reminding me to be fully present.
Because while…
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER…
getting older is apparently very, very real. 😎🤪
Alhamdulillah for everything
