Mari Berbagi Doa

Ketika tulisan ini saya kirim, saya masih belum tahu apakah harus evakuasi atau tidak dari Houston. Yang jelas banyak sekali pertimbangannya dan mostly bukan karena materi yang ditinggalkan ketika harus evakuasi, melainkan membayangkan betapa ribet dengan kemacetan yang akan terjadi di mana-mana.

Comfort Zone yang mulai terkikis bukan hanya disebabkan karena kehilangan materi saja. Akan tetapi saya melihat sekarang ini adanya trend pergeseran value di masyarakat ini, dimana persyaratan untuk mutualism tolong menolong tidak lagi didasarkan karena ketulusan belaka. Tulus bukan lagi syarat yang cukup. Hampir perbuatan yang terlihat sebagai bentuk kebajikan, selalu dibarengi dengan perasaan was-was "E jangan jangan ....". Mau level comfort yang bagaimana lagi?

Always take the bright side. Hurricane Katrina (Agustus 2005) di Lousiana adalah tauladan yang baik bukan hanya untuk warga di Lousiana saja, tetapi juga kepada warga yang lain. Untuk warga Houston, misalnya, dampak Katrina bukan hanya terlihat secara fisik dari pengungsian warga dari New Orleans ke Houston, tetapi aftermath sosial kehidupan warga Houston akibat bencana ini telah berubah dan terbekas cukup dalam hingga sekarang.

I have been there

Early July 2008, I was in Indonesia tracing back my path that was left behind for almost 12 years. No, do not jump to a short conclusion yet. That is not a proud statement. Believe it or not, after so many years, that was not easy for our family.

While in Indonesia, I watched TV, talked to friend and relatives, read some local newspaper and SMS that came in from all over the states. Among them, there is only one event that I will never forget for the rest of my life.

I had chanced to talked in private with former big boss newspaper company in Suharto era. I have forgotten what the communication was. I had received a visit from one of the most highly respected businessmen in West Surabaya, but I have forgotten what the discussion was.



But there was another conversation came from a nearly blinded old woman and I will never forget it, my grandma's sister. She said, “Your grandma had a lot of hopes on you to take care of these big families. Are you going back to Indonesia for good?". I was looking at her and trying to find out what her question is aimed to. I saw a wrinkled face that was clearly expecting an answer. Still, I could not answer her question. And the next minute, I felt something beating on my heart. Seeing me with no reaction, she left me and mumbling, "Have you done anything useful after Alloh give all of these to you?"

Well, I left Indonesia this morning, fly heading to Houston. All of my kids began to say what the plan for next year. I do not know what will happen now. We have got some difficult days ahead. But it does not matter with me now. Because I have been there and I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long useful life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do what has been written for me. Alloh has allowed me up to this achievement. I have looked over and seen the promised land. I want you to know even though I can reach the promised land, I am still not able to answer the simple question that my grandma's sister asked me earlier.

Akhirnya...

Hari ini, 20 Juni 2008, saya sedang mencoba "kesaktian" yang sudah lama belum pernah teruji, yaitu menyusuri kembali masa kecil. Berangkat dari konsep pemahaman: Kalau tidak dimulai sekarang, kapan lagi. Kalau tidak saya yag memulai, siapa lagi. Lha wong mumpung Bapak - Ibu masih sehat dan seluruh keluarga masih "relative" lengkap.

Setelah lebih dari satu dasawarsa saya mencoba "bertani" di negeri orang, maka hari ini saya mencoba mengenang kembali jalan yang dahulu pernah mengantarkan dan menemani saya. Di kota kecil yang penuh dengan nostalgia dimana masa kanak-kanak saya turut membentuk kharakter dan cara berpikir saya saat ini.

Saya tidak tahu apa yang akan terjadi, tapi percayalah bahwa semua ini hanya jalan hidup seorang anak manusia.

Bismillahhirrohmanirrohim... niat insun mugi tansa pinaringan rahnatipun Gusti Alloh... Amin....