The gifts they leave behind — Nahrizul Adib Kadri

September 8 — Every Sunday afternoon, the author and his wife usually head to the supermarket for their weekly shopping. The routine is simple, with one person pushing the trolley while the other checks the list. The shopping comprises staples such as rice, eggs, vegetables, chicken, and instant coffee. Sometimes, more items are added to the trolley than originally planned.

The author recalls growing up in Pontian, Johor, where grocery shopping was done on Saturdays instead. The family would visit a Chinese sundry shop on credit, with purchases recorded in a 'Buku 555' and settled on the father's payday. The author never questioned these routines, as they were simply what parents did. Nowadays, the author finds himself doing similar things without much thought, such as checking for milk in the fridge, ensuring the boys have something to eat upon returning home, or buying extra biscuits for potential visitors.

This pattern extends beyond grocery shopping into other aspects of life, like asking about the boys' school days or expressing concern for their well-being. He realizes that his wife and he have inherited these habits from their parents. The author suspects that parents leave behind more than just memories; they pass on everyday habits and concerns, which become a part of their children's lives.

Only after the passing of his mother, Mak, does the author begin to notice these inherited habits more clearly. These quiet inheritances were present all along but went unnoticed until now. The author believes that these inherited habits are one of the subtle gifts parents leave behind, continuing to shape their children's lives even after they are no longer physically present.