Remember, Remember … The 28th Of December

Well, it’s been quite awhile since I posted my last blog. There are things I had to cope with though. Such as, re-submitting one of my final exams for The Political Economy of Development subject for our dearly beloved Mr. Sapta Dwikardana (which ended-up with my friend Ayu and I posted a note in facebook to compare the resemblances between Mr. Dwikardana and Keanu Reeves). Anyway, there’s some reason why I hadn’t write for some period of time. 

Remembering the 28^th of December—it’s the title of my latest article because 28^th December is never really a good day for me. Although the day before 28^th is quite a joyful day since it’s my eldest brother birthday, the 28^th is quite a sad moment for me and my family. This is the exact date—four years ago—we lost one of our close relatives in the Aceh Tsunami. My Uncle Erwin and three cousins Lidya, Ilona and Diana lost their lives in this tragedy. Our Auntie survives the incidents while her eldest son Yoga at the time was studying in Bandung. Uncle Erwin was about my Father’s age while Lidya, Ilona and Diana were, like, my elder brothers, me and my little sister’s age respectively.

The Aceh Tsunami—or the world remembers this tragedy as the Ocean Sea Tsunami—indeed took time on 26^th of December. We heard the news which struck us in horror on the following days. Auntie, the only survivor, was actually taking a walk with our Uncle when the giant waves sweep them. She said when she woke up from her unconsciousness, she’s on the roof of someone’s house—she also realizes that our Uncle is gone. When she finally went home, her house was gone into pieces—we learned that our three cousins gone.

My family in particular would never forget this lost. We are quite close with them. Especially when my father worked as a medical doctor in Aceh for several years, we quickly become bounded with them. I was born a year before my family left Aceh so perhaps I had the least memories about them. Nevertheless, when we meet them several years later on a family event—I clicked with them instantly. Yoga clicked more with my elder brothers, though. While Lidya was one of my cousin which encouraged me to took International Relations as my major—she also support me when I addressed my anxiety that I chose Social fields instead follow my father’s step. Ilona was about my age so I guessed she and I quite click right a way when we met (FYI, we were just toddlers back then). Diana was close with my little sister at the time—she’s a lovely little girl though.

Remember, remember the 28^th of December—my family will always remembers this unique family. My mother once told me that these unpleasant incidents ought to be memorized as lessons throughout our life—as a reminder that anything in this world are rent-able. We should remember–that in a split seconds, almost everything we had could be taken away. And that’s why we should be thankful for everyone we had and every single moment we had in our life with them. We should never take it for granted because we never knew when we might loose them.

We love you Uncle Erwin, Lidya, Ilona and Diana—we would never forget you because you guys are surely always be missed. May God richly bless you—rest in peace. See you on the other sides in this life—catch you later!