Bird Talk

By Yohanna Abdullah

The birds are chirping, I can hear two different types of singing as they roost home for the night. I know there are at  least six different types of birds that look for food in the day time in my estate in Jurong West.

I love the sunset though I don’t get a  view of it here. I imagine the birds sharing their day with their family, praying Maghrib in their own way and getting ready for a well-deserving rest. Sleep and dream. Researchers found that sleeping birds are not only dreaming, but probably dreaming about the songs they sing during the day. They said their findings add to evidence that dreaming helps animals — including humans–“rehearse” things they have learned to do in the day, and help them perform better the next day.

I have vivid dreams at night. I always wonder what they mean when I just woke up from such a dream. At different seasons, different folks get into my dream. Lately I have been dreaming of my son at various ages from an infant to a teenager. It was a wonderful experience holding him as a baby in my dream. He was just 10 months old when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 19 years ago. He is now 19 and almost graduating from Computer Engineering course in Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

When I think of him there is always a tinge of sadness that he chose to live with his paternal grandmother since secondary school. He comes home for weekends usually or if he cannot make it, we will go for dinner or I visit him at Henderson Road where he lives in a two room rental flat with his grandmother and his father.  But I believe Allah is the best of planners and He knows what is best.

Yesterday Hykel said goodbye after a one night stay and I showered him with hugs and kisses. He is my independent baby who never gave me any problem and who treats me with respect and love through all my highs and lows.

Indeed God is great to grant me Hykel and Ayesha 21 who shares a bed and skin care products with me and not forgetting her love life which is  more happening than mine, naturally. She graduated with a Fine Arts Diploma from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and is taking her time to continue her studies. I trust my children to make their life choices even though they are young. But I feel we must do what our gut instincts say and be true and authentic.

May my young ones spread their wings and fly and return home to have a good night’s rest dreaming away.

Yohanna Abdullah is a writer and editor for Club HEAL. She has published four books for Club HEAL. She enjoys creative expression and she looks at life with wonder and love. She is a passionate mental health advocate. She is also a loving mother of two.