Haboba- The Loving one
Having lost our grandmother recently, the emotions are still raw and her memory is one I wanted to capture in words. This one is for you haboba- the one who oiled my hair with life advice.
I open your box of trinkets, the metal softly clangs as I break into the memories.
Round bottle glasses, a couple of coins.
Coins you would thrust into my hands, a wink behind my parents back
A cloud of musk embraces me warmly and consoles-
My eyes glisten, moisten
I sometimes stare and gaze deep into your glasses longing to catch another glimpse of your ebony eyes
To capture that sparkle which captivated my soul.
They say grandma translates to loving one
See the love you had could not be translated to words
I dig my face into your toub and inhale, deep diving into the ocean of your scent.
Trying to capture the particles of your presence
They say a haboba is like the rock
The solar system for a family.
The gravity.
See my gravity was knocked as I lost you, I floated, I couldn’t feel the earth beneath me.
You’d joke and say
"يا بت انتي بتسوي الشاي دا بالشمس "
Are you making the tea using the sun ( meaning you are taking far too long)
Your laughter erupting through the house.
Although I had been only been gone for a minute
A minute stolen from you by dementia
A min priceless to spend with you again
I sometimes stare and gaze deep into your glasses longing to catch another glimpse of your ebony eyes
To capture that sparkle which captivated us all.
I long to be a fraction of who you were
A beating heart in the village
But now my heart softly percusses with every remembrance of you.
As my tears cascade down my face trickling in thick beads.
My mind wanders to the beads glistening resting elegantly on your neck.
The sound of the tuktuk humming as we travelled
Travelling through your wisdom as you recalled
“يا بتي انتي عندك الحياة دي كلها قدامك”
You have this whole life in front of you
“ما تفقدي نفسك و خلي بالك من وقتك”
Don’t lose yourself and guard your time wisely
My hand lost in yours
Feeling as if I held the power in this world.
See they say a haboba is like the sun
The warm rays that caress your skin as you can’t sleep.
Softly stroking your face.
I turn the comb in my hand
Catching a glimpse of you gliding it through my hair as you braided your memories in.
You oiled my hair with life advice
See you told me to follow my dreams
To use my pen,
For the ink to always be authenticity.
You taught me to be me
See I think of you often haboba
Your memory never quite leaves
Rana Galgal
.
May Allah swt grant her the highest ranks of Jannah. Ameen ❤️
So beautiful!!🤍