.....To begin with.....

My life began one early Thursday morning in August 1949. I was born the eldest child to a very young teen aged couple - the first of nine children, comprising eight roses and a thorn. My parents had chosen the name 'Rahimah' for me, but I was told later that a grandaunt managed to persuade my father to change it to 'Hasnah'. I really don't mind it at all, because it's a good name - it means 'kebaikan', meaning goodness. But the funny thing is that my parents and all my relatives (including that 'celebrated' grandaunt!) still call me 'Rahimah' instead. Why? I fail to fathom the reason. Anyway, I'm Has to all my siblings, and Hasnah to all my friends at school, at the university and later at work.