It Is For You!

It was 8 years ago when I was in Fukuoka. Very early in the morning. A telephone call came into my apartment. I did not realize exactly what happened. What I remember now is that . . . a news that my mother passed away. It was so sad for me to hear the news.

I still remember how she treated people and her students very well. I always followed her teaching as a senior high school teacher when I was an elementary school child.

However, I did understand exactly that she would soon leave me. "Ika, please do not think of me. Only please think about your study that you must complete, and your children. Oke? Do not cry. I, your mother, am fine," she said, less than a week before her leaving. My brothers were already in Indonesia. They were flying from The Netherlands and from Japan to accompany her in the hospital. It was unfortunate for me because I did not get the airplane ticket to go back before August 2, 2003. It was summer holiday and a peak season.

In the evening my brother Sani and Trias called me and said, "Mbak (Sis), you must be very happy. Many people sent her and prayed for her. We have never seen many people sent someone like people sending her." I remember how my Mom was very helpful to people. I remember how she treated others like her own part of life. Now . . . 8 years after she left us, I would like to send her my praying:

"Ya Allah Yang Maha Pemurah . . . Ampunilah dosanya. Limpahkanlah rahmat kepadanya. Terimalah amal ibadahnya. Hapuskanlah kesalahannya. Muliakanlah tempatnya. Sayangilah ia sebagaimana ia telah menyayangiku. Amin."