Live Simple, Give Much_Gogo Rashieda Kotobe

Bismillah

Tonight (14 August 2013) with sadness and with heavy hearts we bid farewell and laid to rest one of the mothers and grandmothers of the present Ummah (community) of Islam.  I cannot account for the youthful years of our beloved Gogo but I can account for the impact she had on my youth. Meeting her at a young age before my teens was joy, as my own Gogo had just passed away. She was selling snacks and sweets and she gave me some for free.  A sweet Gogo full of smiles and generosity. A busy Gogo who still cooked with the old coal stove, chopped her own wood with an axe and still managed to make tea for you no matter your age. I am talking about a Lady who managed to complete the Hajj (Holy Pilgimage to Mecca)on her own feet. This is a Lady whom her much younger Hajj companions drew strength from and forged on because of her zeal to carefully and devotedly complete this Holy Pilgrimage.  

Live simple, give more are the first words that come to mind when I think of our beloved Gogo Rashieda. She looked after her children and grandchildren with dedication, and extended her complete love to the community.  Living  a simple lifestyle, she managed to welcome my family in her home so many times that it became our meeting point when we are around that area. If I am waiting for my parents I would go to her house and they would do the same if they are waiting for anybody else. Tea, biscuits, sweets and sandwiches are what she would prepare, and when I complain that I can prepare this myself, she would tell me that I am her guest and i should sit down.

I will never forget the day that I had to go for a job interview and she decided to babysit for me, I will not forget her kindness in my time of need and I hope and pray that I am always inspired to do the same for others.

I will miss her saying “Susho?” (really?) when she was surprised at what you were telling her. 

I thank Allah for all the kindness she had in her and May He make her journey in the next world a blessed and easy one. We will miss you dearly Gogo Rashieda.