The demise of my father on 22 December 1972, I was then 22 years old with just 6 months working as Personnel Administrator with United Asbestos Manufacturing plant in Ipoh, a subsidiary of James Hardie Australia. I inherited one mother and three teenage siblings studying at the primary and lower secondary schools in Taiping. For effective control and economic of scales as the breadwinner, I decided to bring them over to live & study with me in Ipoh.
As the eldest sibling, I also served as their confidant, teacher, and buffers against loneliness or trauma, often fostering better mental health and resilience. I realized these bonds offer a unique shared history that lasts a lifetime with my mother offered a safe space for learning to manage conflict and emotions.
Our mother, arwah Hajah Aminah Mat Desa passed away on the eve of my birthday, 25 June 2023 at the ripe age of 92 years old. Since then I've resumed her role as head of our family. In the past years, she had been the main focal point of gathering for all our siblings and their kids & grandkids, especially in conjunction with Eid al-Fitr & Eid al-Adha back home in Sungai Mati, Matang. This year, my siblings agreed to gather for our family reunion at Putrajaya.
With the demise of our parents, often I feel that the longest-lasting relationship in a person's life, siblings provide consistent support and a sense of good security from childhood through adulthood. Siblings can serve as role models, sharing their knowledge and acting as caregivers. They're “keepers of each other's histories,” sharing memories that bond them together. Positive sibling relationships are crucial for fostering a supportive, overall family wellbeing.
Based on my own personal experience, I found siblings play a vital role development by offering lifelong companionship, emotional support, and conflict resolution skills. The importance of siblings is often overlooked, but this relationship has unique features making it for the future generations to emulate.
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