She met my father in the 70’s and and they reside in Malaysia. 40 years have passed since my mother last saw her family, she couldn’t go back to her homeland due to financial constraint and also transportation was not as advanced during those days. Her eldest brother visited her 3 times in those days but after we shifted to a new place we had lost contact with them. My mother helps in volunteering at a local Buddhist association. One day her fellow volunteer friends decided to organize a leisure trip to Pontianak, Indonesia. I had a strong intuition that her friends wanted to accompany her to go back to her hometown. During the trip, she was praying that she could visit her relatives at the old house which is located on the old road. My mother asked the tour guide whether the bus will go via old road to Pontianak town. However, the tour guide replied they will go via new road which is so much more convenient. But a few moments later, the tour guide announced that they had to use the old road because the new road is under maintenance. Gratitude Is The Best Feeling When the entourage halted for rest, my mother rushed to nearby stalls and asked the shop owners about some of her relatives. Due to the fact that my mother was away from home too long, she had forgotten her mother tongue, the younger generation in Pontianak couldn’t speak that language as well. My mother asked the shop owner pointed next door, and the young boy asked my mother to try the next shop. The next shop was a hand phone shop, and when my mother mentions about her relatives name again, the youngster briefly went behind the shop and asked an elderly man to come out. This elderly man turned out to be my mother’s uncle! The man shed tears and asked my mother why she went off for so long and did not come back. They exchanged contact numbers, he also gave my mother’s siblings contact as well. After they bid good bye, my mother and the group of people continued their journey to Pontianak town. On the way many of her relatives had called her up and after reaching the restaurant, her two sisters and family were already waiting for her. They hugged each other and all were so happy to see each other. During the short trip in Pontianak, my mother caught up a lot with her sisters about the family’s life for the past 40 years. They even showed my mother their old house locality which is now developed. Although my mother didn’t say much about her personal feeling but I know she is very very happy and we too are very happy for her. When my mother was reunited with her sisters, all her friends who went with her on the trip were so touched and they cried a lot in the bus. Gurudev, no words to express our gratitude for you. We are all blessed with Guruji’s grace. JGD.
~ Siew Woan
