A Teacher To His Ex Student

A Teacher To His Ex Student

Since you found my Home Page there’s no need for reunion, to trouble your self to visit, telephone me. Just e mail me in your leisure time. That’s a visit already. Every time you read my Home Page it’s even more than if you really visit me at home talking together.

I am what I am in my Home Page, not old, alive, young, though actually am I old or am no more. Doesn’t matter if I’m a “he” or a “she”, live in Jakarta or in Germany or France, or born in the 19th century or in the future. When you read my Home Page, we become brothers or sisters, I’m not your teacher any more who knows more, who should be respected and you are not my student anymore, not a little boy.

December 2009

Don't You Ever Be Sorry

Don't You Ever Be Sorry

As far as I remember have I never asked, begged for something. My mother chose, provided for my clothes, shoes, school necessities, when I’m married, you did it for me, our sons bought me a wrist-watch, sports-shoes, a mountain-bike, a piano, computer, my father provided some money to buy us a house and our sons rebuilt it for us into a big house. There’s still a lot I haven’t mentioned.

I said: “God, I’ve nothing to ask, don’t worry, trouble Yourself to grant me anything, ”then unasked He grants me a father and a mother, three sons and a daughter except which I can’t choose them myself. Yet I would never, ever exchange them with another father and mother, or other children how loving, good, delightful, smart they are. But I may choose you, you know? Who knows, someday I might repent and think of exchanging you. Ha. Ha. What do you say?

I have no car and go by train, bus, walk or bike and buy me an organ. Yet, am I content. I feel myself very rich.

Sure, a man may look like a scare-crow like me, but what if he were rich in thoughts and feelings. What’s a wealthy, handsome man if he were empty, hollow, barren? Think of the mango which is not pleasing to the eye but is so fragrant and so sweet. The eye may err you know? Aren’t you proud of your smart husband and who has the courage to praise himself? Don’t you ever be sorry. Now, kiss me. It’s a command.

So Opa Johan said to his wife.

December 2009

Who Is Poor?

Who Is Poor?

‘Poor’ in my personal dictionary is someone who always begs, asks, has no selfrespect, no selfconfidence, is not independent. The fruit vendor, the news paper boy, the housemaid, a blind man are independent honorable people though they might live in a hut or sleep in a shed.

“Ask, and God will grant you” something like that is written in the Bible, Yet they’re not lazy, spoiled, they’re dignified and don’t humble themselves with asking or begging.

So said Pak Arif.

December 2009

A Mother's Grievance

A Mother’s Grievance

I reluctantly told one of my daughters that almost nothing is left of the money she monthly provided for my motherless grandchildren. It was as though I had to humble myself for an alms. And she chided me: “I just recently gave it to you.” I took care of them. Oh, and there was a lot so needed, not just food.

A mother could raise ten children even were she poor, but ten grown-up children couldn’t care for one old poor mother.

So she bitterly said.

December 2009

I Sincerely Hate Her

I Sincerely Hate Her

Opa Johan’s wife has a, foolish, illiterate housemaid. “Oh, she is so obstinate.I’m tired of reproaching her. How I sincerely, dearly hate her” she said laughing to her husband in jest.

December 2009

Never Ask Your Lover: Do You Love Me?"

Never Ask Your Lover: “Do You Love Me?”

That is if you don’t want to hear a hesitating, reluctant, very disappointing, cold, dry: “Sure, certainly.”

When someone really loves you, you never, ever have to ask this; he will marry you even without begging him: “Marry me.”

December 2009

Still Drawn Towards Feminine Beauty

Still Drawn Towards Feminine Beauty

Could I have known before of what I now know on my 80th year I should have warned you before the blessing of the church that I’m still drawn towards feminine beauty. Though would I know this, I wouldn’t have the nerve to say so. You might be frightened and you wouldn’t marry me.

And it is so foolish to celebrate a wedding feast on the beginning of a life’s voyage as though it were a succes already, when I remember our quarrels, hate, sufferings, torments, miseries, … more than half a century sharing together, I wonder why you still stay with me and don’t run away. Ha, ha.

So said Opa Johan to his wife..

December 2009