Tuesday 30 August 2005

the ashes

Do you know what happen with the ashes?
 
Last Sunday we went to Surabaya to throw my Oma's ashes on the sea. It was 12 of us, with a Navy's boat. It was ebb time, so the boats were low. And we had to pass 3 boats to go to the one that we're going with. My Opa was with us and someone carry him on his back - quite scary. After that he recalled the experience as 'first time in my life' and smiling - quite an experience.
 
The ashes was put in a ceramic vase, and wrapped in a red cloth. The vase was then brought down with a robe. Then the vase was moved here and there, up and down, so that the ashes melted in the water. After that it was released. And that's all.

Obituary for Oma

All her grandchildren remember her 'dried bread' - bread with butter and sugar, dried in the oven. Her dried bread was always ready, it was always the one she brought when visiting her grandchildren. Oma was someone who shows her love by giving food. When I lived with her, she always sat with me during lunch - just watching. Once I told her that it was not necessary, but her reply was that she enjoyed watching me eating - it was a pleasure to see that I liked the food.
 
Even though when I was little, I didn't like if my parents brought me to her place - because she always put plastic on my mattress.:p
 
During my stay there I also noticed that every afternoon she'd sit with her cash-flow book, sempoa, and money. She'd write down all expenses, count everything, and everything should match. She wouldn't finish before everything match.
 
She was also very good on crosswords - she wanted to train her brain. The result? Up till her end, she's still knows her grandchildren's name, one by one, without mistakes, even those that she hadn't met for years.
 
For several years, everytime we said good bye, she'd say, "It could be that we won't see each other again." In the beginning it was a question, why would she say that? But then I realised, it was her way of showing that she's ready if God calls her 'home'. Last year, before went back to NL, I teased her (I just wanted to see her reaction), before she had a chance to say those words, I first say: "Till next year, Oma." And she said, "Yes." This year, 10 days after I arrived, she went 'home'. She has kept her promised to me.

Thursday 25 August 2005

Selamat Jalan Oma

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7.
 
My grandma, 89 years old, passed away last Wednesday, peacefully. She has kept her promise to me (last year I asked her: 'See you next year, Oma' and her reply was: 'yes'). These past few months she's met grandchildren, great grandchildren - she's satisfied and went 'home'.
 
So long, Oma. Till we meet again in Jesus' hands.

Thursday 18 August 2005

Ibu Pertiwi

Telah kembali ke pangkuan ibu pertiwi. :-)

Wednesday 10 August 2005

Walking Away

Being sentimental about leaving, this article touched my heart this morning.

"... We leave a job or a community and it feels as if we've left everything behind. But when we know the Lord, we never have to walk into an unknown future alone. ..."

Exodus 33: 13-14 ... If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. ... The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Tuesday 9 August 2005

Enschede

Last week in The Netherlands. I'm getting sentimental. Today I biked around campus. I wanted to do it, yet instead of remembering all the good time I had, I just got sad, realising that this is my last time biking here.

If anyone talked about having mixed feeling, here I have it. I know by the time I land in Indonesia I'll be looking forward to meet family and friends, for the new chapter of my life.

But right now, right here, I just want to close this chapter. Two years, I've learned a lot, I've seen people come and go, one way or another I've changed. Now it is my time to go. We're getting to the end of this chapter.

Good bye Enschede. Good bye Netherlands. Good bye friends. For two years this has been my home. Friendships have grown. It's time to say good bye. I'll end with my favourite farewell line:

"I hope to see you again, sometime, somewhere. If not on this earth, then in heaven."

Tuesday 2 August 2005

weekend in Belgium

Antwerpen - Brussels.

How different it felt when the locals are willing to answer questions, when it is possible to communicate - even when among themselves they don't normally use English.