My Cenil,
We had been waiting for this month because we were going home this month! Hello, Jakarta!
This year, we stayed shorter, but it was fair to say that we traveled more this year.
We traveled to Bogor with Opa Win, Opa Iwan, Oma Feli, Mba Tinah, Mba Lia, and Pak Tolani. Yeah, quite a big group, eh? I am sure Oma Yuli was there with us too. We spent two nights at Novotel Bogor, and the three of us (you, Opa Win and myself) shared a king-size bedroom, so we shared the bed. All I can say was that it was a hilarious, memorable experience. You dragged the blanket (and Opa's sarong) with you, so Opa Win had to sleep half..... You put your left leg on top of his thigh and accidentally pressed the urine bag. It was a flood in the early morning hours!
Every morning, I stared at both of you sleeping side by side. It was a beautiful view that warmed my heart.
We enjoyed our buffet breakfast very much; it was probably one of the things you always looked forward to every morning. We had lunch at Cimory. We tried their staple food. We visited a famous pie place, and we had lunch Kebun Raya Bogor and strolled around.
I wanted everyone to enjoy this short getaway, so I always let everyone had their meal first while I fed Opa Win. And, I was OK with that. What really, really touched me was the fact that you always spared your food for me. You knew I always ate last, and you made sure I had something to eat. I am in awe!
This year is also the second year of girls only traveling. We chose Bangkok. It was hot and humid, and although Bangkok is pretty much similar to Jakarta as a big city, it was still a new experience. We visited temples, tried their street food, rode their subway system, walked thousands of miles to visit places. We celebrated my birthday with donut and pad Thai for breakfast. Best.birthday.food.evaaaa!
Out of this experience, one thing stood out for me. Your maturity, sensitivity, responsibility, and problem-solving skills. When I had to care Opa Win, you took over accompanying Opa Iwan and Oma Feli by sharing a table with them. And no, I didn't tell or ask you to do it. It was your initiative. When you realized you forgot to bring an adaptor, you solved the problem by speaking with the front desk staff and borrowed an adaptor from them.
When it comes to managing chaos at home, you reminded me to be fair. You shared my headache and helped me chose the best words to communicate. You understood the delicacy and sensitivity of the situation I had to face.
I will always remember that every afternoon, you would patiently sit near the bathroom and wait for Opa Win to finish his shower. You would then help put the food rests on the wheelchair and later push it to the veranda. One thing you said struck me, "Opa is not sick. He is just in a different condition."
I don't know what you are made of, and I don't know what I did to deserve you. I think you are made of love, grace, humility, resilience, loyalty. I am humbled and honored to be able to call you mine.
This month is a month full of beautiful memories and valuable life experience.
Jars of stars,
XOXO
Bunbun
