It's like I just read my brother's story. (Are you a Taurus?) He's a middle child, has anger issues, adores animals, got scolded the most by our parents and yet he's the most caring and emotional person I know. He doesn't show but a sister knows.

I felt the same, when my grandmothers from both sides were in their last days. Although I had my own strong bond with both of them but all I feared was how my dad and mom will cope with the loss. In case of my naani, I was the one who had to break the news to my mom. It took me 3 hours to muster up the courage. She was devastated but surprisingly not more than my dad (when his mom passed away). He cried and what we say in Urdu- chup si lg gae unhain.

The point is - this is part of life. We can't escape death. I dread it too all the time. I fear for all my loved ones. And the thing with kids is that - when you become a parent, you start dreading your own death because you can't imagine a life for them without you being there to shelter them from the harshness of this world.

But we know - Allah insan ko uski bardasht se ziada dukh nhi deta. And whenever I feel depress for any reason - I read the translation of Surah Ad-Duha. It soothes heart and mind like nothing else.