Why I miss Opa so much
I was almost on the way to the airport when Zita called to inform me that Opa (my grandpa from mom's side) was suddenly taken to the hospital and was in critical condition. She also told me that mom and dad had returned to Semarang (they were supposed to come and meet me in Jakarta airport the day after), not only that, she and Yovita were going to catch the flight back to Semarang that day itself. When she told me that, I was very sure that I would be able to see Opa. I knew she said he was critical on intensive care, but somehow I had this gut feeling that it was just one more day and I would be able to see him.
When I arrived in Singapore, Nagi turned his mobile phone on and an sms came through. It was from Zita, informing that Opa had passed away. I cried instantly. I couldn't believe I wouldn't be able to see him any more. All this was due to sudden difficulty of breathing! I knew he was old and he had not been well this past one year, but he had been okay. The day before he had difficulty of breathing too, just the same condition, but it was okay after a treatment.
I miss hearing him singing and humming, I miss the things he said like the price of noodles in this place and that place (he knew the exact price of things he bought in each supermarket, each restaurant, etc), I miss the way he enjoyed his food, I miss just being able to be with him. When I 'kui' to pay my last respect in front of his coffin, I remembered the new years we spent with him. We all would kneel and bow 12 times in front of him and grandma on new year, and while we did that he would say all his blessings and his best wishes for us. I couldn't control my emotion when I did that last respect. Those 4 days (after he died and before he was cremated) were very long and difficult. Sometimes I felt I was like a zombie just shaking hands with people who came to give their condolences while my vision was blurred from the tears.
He's gone now. To me, he will always be remembered as a caring and loving grandpa. Opa, I really miss you.
When I arrived in Singapore, Nagi turned his mobile phone on and an sms came through. It was from Zita, informing that Opa had passed away. I cried instantly. I couldn't believe I wouldn't be able to see him any more. All this was due to sudden difficulty of breathing! I knew he was old and he had not been well this past one year, but he had been okay. The day before he had difficulty of breathing too, just the same condition, but it was okay after a treatment.
I miss hearing him singing and humming, I miss the things he said like the price of noodles in this place and that place (he knew the exact price of things he bought in each supermarket, each restaurant, etc), I miss the way he enjoyed his food, I miss just being able to be with him. When I 'kui' to pay my last respect in front of his coffin, I remembered the new years we spent with him. We all would kneel and bow 12 times in front of him and grandma on new year, and while we did that he would say all his blessings and his best wishes for us. I couldn't control my emotion when I did that last respect. Those 4 days (after he died and before he was cremated) were very long and difficult. Sometimes I felt I was like a zombie just shaking hands with people who came to give their condolences while my vision was blurred from the tears.
He's gone now. To me, he will always be remembered as a caring and loving grandpa. Opa, I really miss you.
posted by Monica | 1:27 PM
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