With the silent walls and unworn furniture the house seemed
devoid of life, as if barren, even when Bu Juriah was home. She came home
tired, and though she made her advances, she never needed to be satisfied. She
spent hours staring at the antique grandfather clock that she had bought from a
market just before her husband passed away.
She became a single parent for almost eleven years old, her
sons and daughters are all have been married. She lives with her two daughters
in Hambalang. She is uneducated person, in the past her parents couldn’t bring
her to school because of their economy problem. She earns money as “Pedagang
Keliling”, every day to fulfil her needs. She has been “pedagang keliling”
since her husband (pak Anif) passed away. Before she go for work, she should
pass many things that she should prepare, such as cooking, frying, packing and
so on. She starts to sell her foods at 12.00 p.m and reach home at 04.00 p.m,
she earn money about Rp.50.000 – 80.000 a day. Sometimes many obstacles come
whether her health or her daughter who forbid her to work because she is too
old. But she never give up, I don’t know the way she convince her daughter but
the thing is I’m so proud of her, totally proud of her. She really enjoys her
job, I never seen her feel tired or sad, she is really good in face, she always
makes people especially me proud of her. There is one factor that really affect
to her life, which is her beloved husband Pak Anif. Forgetting all the memories
that she and her husband made is the hardest thing she has ever felt. I said “
"Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return”
I felt so guilty when I asked her about her husband, I’ve
turned her smile into sadness then I asked for forgiveness, but then she
smiled. She said “You don’t have to be guilty, actually I want to thank for
reminding me. I will always seek help and
guidance from Allah (SWT) ”
She doesn’t want to live in sorrow, she chose to be a food seller to earn
money. She is 54 years old, but her spirit to live is uncounted. I’m so proud
getting this big opportunity to interview such an inspiring woman. This story
made me realize that why didn’t I use my life to do advantageous things and
never give up. Why didn’t I use my hands, my feet to do something at least for
myself for example tidy up my bed and start being independent. This story
really changes me…….a lot.
Take pics with such an inspiring woman |
I have learned so many things from her such as:
- Learn my role and responsibility in my family. Fulfill my responsibilities to the best of my ability.
- Be Satisfied with Little: The Prophet (SAW)
who is our true role model, taught us to look towards those who are less
advantageous than us in this world and to look up to them who are more advanced
than us in Deen.
Hopefully this gift would be memorable for her and used when
she work. Once again thank you Bu Juriah for sharing your incredible story,
this is really amazing and it such an honor for me to have conversation with you.
“The foundation of a happy life is mutual love and sacrifice” –Via-