I was put on the other side of this world 30 years 42 hours and a few minutes ago, as I write this.
30 rotations around the sun may not seem much for the sun but it’s literally a lifetime for me.
Born of a Jakartan rascal and a stubborn Surabayan.
I spent the first five years on this earth with those two, until one of them left.
Then another five with the other and then she left.
I will see one of them after 15 years apart, but not the other.
Throughout all this, there was my grandmother and eventually my sister.
One of whom left after 22 years and the other after 18 (she wasn’t there for my first 4).
I will see one of them after 2 years apart, but not the other.
So many numbers. Not even counting the 5 years with 2 more siblings.
I spent the first five years on this earth with those two, until one of them left.
Then another five with the other and then she left.
I will see one of them after 15 years apart, but not the other.
Throughout all this, there was my grandmother and eventually my sister.
One of whom left after 22 years and the other after 18 (she wasn’t there for my first 4).
I will see one of them after 2 years apart, but not the other.
So many numbers. Not even counting the 5 years with 2 more siblings.
Countless names, friendly faces and familiar voices have helped me, and countless more to come.
Some more familiar than others and some more friendly. A few left and were left.
Never the most diligent at saying it but
Never the most diligent at saying it but
a kind ‘thank you’ and ‘thinking of you’ to the friendly and familiar. May you be even more so.
Free the people, free the land.
Free the people, free the land.
Your friend,
Noel