SO many blessings!! Blessings raining down like crazy. I wonder if there is such a thing as a blessings umbrella? Probably not, you should just let them flow over you. I Am I do not know where to start. Not necessarily in order of importance because they ALL are important.
I am writing from Kenny Hill’s Bakers – a hop, skip and a jump from Lyf. Go out the back door to the Car Park and there you are. I was greeted with wild enthusiasm – one waiter in particular jumped up and down in sheer delight welcoming back. He was joined by others, rushing to the door to greet me. I was there to eat, was absolutely starving. So many choices to make. I eventually decided on the burger, It was the best I have ever eaten – my whole life. I am drinking a berry/banana drink. Had a couple of fries but an too full to eat more.
So I am blessed to be greeted with such enthusiasm and able to eat delicious food I can afford. I am wearing my Palestinian scarf. I am probably the only person in Penang wearing one. Most probably the Malaysians who are surrounding me do not know about the Malaysian’s Mission to Free Gaza, mentioned on my September 19, 2025 blog. Certainly they have not gone to my YouTube channel to be inspired by their countrymen’s bravery. (The blog has four lines in the right hand corner, poke the lines, then a menu appears. Poke YouTube and you will be there). I have lived in Penang for about sixteen months. The Malays I have encountered are rather blissfully unaware of world politics. No reason to be concerned as it is highly unlikely that Israel is going to be delivering bombs on these shores, particularly in Penang. ad.
Back to my blessings. My part time driver Din sent me the following greeting.
Me: Cute!!! I am definitely a pencil, writing someone’s happiness. I need to put this on my blog. Hahaha
He: You are both Alaa
Me: Thank you my dear!! Wow what compliment – I write someone’s happiness AND help them erase their sadness.
Of course, I HAD to send this to others, including Shamir.
Me: Denis sent me this. I wrote back saying I was. Pencil. He wrote back to say I was both. What a fantastic compliment. He gets compliment of the day.
He: ❤️
Me: But you could always try to compete further. Hahahah
Me: You are never going to guess what I am doing. Are you going to at least try and guess???
He: Folding clothes????
Me: NO Talking to AI. You could have guessed, I am always doing it.
He: Oh hahahaha 🤣
Me: The topic of conversation was my nemesis? Do you know the meaning of nemesis?.
He: Yes I do
Me: I had one. Julie Wheelwright. I talked to AI about her today. AI said that no is the time to get my revenger against her. Finally!!!
Fast forward: AI provided instructions, a story line, secret codes, offer for a final dedication page for my Uncle’s book, mock headlines, “ To every voice they tried to silence; this story is for you too.” However, alas and alack, I could not implement this – becoming an instrument of Artificial Intelligence. It was destroying my creativity – the positivity I am known for. Perhaps my nemesis may appear during the serialization but to focus on her, her destructive negative energy, diminishes my positivity, my message of hope.
Conveyed my positivity to Shamir.
Me: Nesh’s blog breakdown is up. Welcome home I said to my Uncle when I saw his face on my Instagram. I unpinned a reel so that we were standing next to one another.
He: Wow!! I saw! Smarter than a gold fish. Then, of course, a GIF
Me: Thanks dear, This is a new low.
Me: Seeing us next to each other, is a sight to behold. How I loved the man!! We stand tall!! Even though both of us are short. Hahaha
He: 🤣
Me: Uncle Dave had red hair by the way. Forgot how I found that out. All the photos I have of him are in black and white.
Our conversation went on and on and on. More GIFs – 24 in one day, a record.
This morning’s text;
Me: Too many GIFs yesterday. You led me astray Hahaha But it was fun
He: 🤣
I definitely used the Gold Fish GIF against him, in both Instagram and WhatsApp chats.
Me: I bet you are sorry you brought up the gold fish GIF in the first place.
He: Yes I am!!
Me: Thanks for admitting it.
Enough playfulness. It is time to get serious. Nesh questioned.
He: How are you today Alexis?
Me: Having an amazing day. An unbelievable day in every way. I was filled with such emotion when I saw my Uncle Dave’s face staring at me from Instagram. Welcome Home I said to him. I unpinned a reel so we would be standing together side by side. Such a sight!!! Will include these comments in my public response to you. Going back to reread it now. Later wrote this in an email.
To Nesh
Impossible (even for me) to describe the feeling of seeing Uncle Dave smiling at me from my Instagram Alexis_alaa_Mcbride. It did, briefly, make me regret changing my name from Alexis (Dryburgh) McBride, as I would be more strongly identified with him using my birth name as my middle name. Ah well.
Then you described, better than I did in the original, what my aim is, my goal, my abandoned dream.
“Some people live once. My Uncle Dave lived twice. 💪🏼
The first time he made readers of the Regina Leader Post laugh, cheer, and argue from the press box.
The second time begins here, serialized on my blog, piece by piece, story by story.
This project has hung over me for years. I started it in 2023 as a part of a Master’s program but never finished. Now Allhanduillah, the timing is right. I have the means, the method and support of my Dream Team to finally bring it to life
In Part I, share how I rediscovered his unfinished biography, the irony of serialization, and the story of the man behind the Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy.
This is only the beginning. Follow along and I will bring Uncle Dave’s legacy back into light.”
The Search for Uncle Dave Part I
I love the fun of saying that Uncle Dave lived twice, first in ink and now in pixels. You described him perfectly. “He was a master of the written word, quick-tempered, sharp-eyed and championing the West. But aa quirk of fate ended his life too soon.”
“This is Part I of my Uncle Dave serialization. Follow along as the story unfolds, chapter after chapter, page after page.
What I have not written (nor said), is that I am convinced that I have Allah’s blessings. The timing is perfect. Everything is coming together at exactly the right time. It is enabling me to play my part in weaving the tapestry, stitching in my past so that there will be a continuous flow.
I am beginning to get behind. After sending this blog to Shamir for posting I will read and reflect upon your most recent blog breakdown.
September 23, 2025
Today is a blessedly quiet day – with no plans other than writing and reading. To me, this is luxury beyond belief. The peace of mind it brings. This is the third day of scarf tying, becoming increasingly proficient. Sent Shamir a photo.
Me: Scarf of the day. Tied by me. Looking old but strong.
He: 👍👍💪🏼 Old but Gold
Me: Goldie Covered Locks Hahahaha
The search for hidden Uncle Dave treasures continues. A previous book cover, similar but with the subtitle: How Did I Exist Before Alexis. (This a quote from one of my Dryburgh cousins, the Niece’s Nexus as I called them.) The photo dated July 20, 2018, Vancouver -Downtown. Also a funny plaque from those times explaining why I am a bit overweight.
This daily quote from QuranFaith.com is particularly meaningful because of its emphasis, reminding us that remembering Allah is to occur at all times and places within one’s day – not only during times of obligatory prayer and worship. “Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides. And reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth ‘saying,’Our Lord! You have not created ‘all of ‘ this without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (Quran 3:19)
