Words and I

…once you had silver, then came the rains out of the blue…*

The train rode slowly as it was nearing Jakarta from Central Java. The view was slowly changing, from abundant trees and vast paddy fields to dingy packed houses and luxurious skyscrapers. It was past 3 am and people were still in their slumber land, I supposed. 

But not here. At Jatinegara station where the train stopped for a while to drop some passengers, I noticed that the train I took disturbed some people. It was raining a little. It had to be so cold outside. Especially for those who were sleeping on the station’s floor with only a piece of newspaper or mat. They stirred a little when the train came, felt the train’s wind kissed their trembling body, then continued their wakeful sleep. Some woke up and sat down and stared at the train blankly. They should have slept at home, I thought, but of course they have no home to return to.

But I noticed that there were people with complete attire, plus shoes and a bag, who slept on the station’s floor too, joined with those homeless. What are they doing, I wondered. Miss the train and have to sleep there? Run away from home? Got bankrupt and lose everything? Or just totally fed up with ‘normal’ life and try to be a hippie, or what? 

The train left and life went on for the day. When I arrived at Gambir Station, I put some bread near an old man who was sleeping soundly on the ground near the taxi pool. It was still dark outside… but the sun always keeps its promise to rise every morning. It would do the same today… unless the rains came out of the blue.

I hope we all have umbrellas.  

*Sung by Enya  

…I am waiting for some miracles.

Who aren’t?

Pessimists think miracles won’t happen. Optimists think some miracles happen, some may not.

I think God will make miracles when He wants….

And I think some people have more authority to make some miracles happen, if they want to. Just think of this, a governor can make a miracle to a street kid.

Have a blessed Christmas and a blessed New Year!  

A friend of mine, who is a children writer, published her own story book and gave it to poor children for free. Such a sweet deed. 

But for many people, money seems to be a solve for helping others. Yes, it solves but it doesn’t. A kid who is mouthwatering for an ice-cream is delighted when his mother gives him some money to buy it. A street kid is happy enough to get Rp 1.000 for that hour so he can buy some snacks. But then, he’ll be worried again on how he will get some meals for the rest of the day, if not tomorrow.

Giving to others is not only about giving some money to them. I was so stupid to think of it that way. Maybe I still am sometimes….