Our beloved aunt (my dad’s sister) who lived in Surabaya, East Java, passed away last Thursday morning, I heard the sad news on my way back from dropping off my mom at the airport. The night before my cousin called me informing that my aunt was held at the hospital since Tuesday morning and she kept asking about my mom. So I told my cousin that I would send my mom with first flight to Surabaya the next morning.

At first, I was concerned about my mom travelling alone with her current eyes condition after having several eye treatments. But my mom insisted to go because my aunt is not only her best sister in law but also becoming her best friend. They talked a lot on the phone especially after my dad died two years ago. So I made an arrangement with the airline and they agreed to provide a wheelchair and help her going in and out the airplane.

Unfortunately, it was too late. Just when I was out from the airport my cousin called saying that his mom passed away at 7.30, it was the same time as my mom’s flight schedule.

Yesterday my brother and I made a day trip to Surabaya to attend her funeral. I couldn’t stay long because I left my baby at home with husband and son. I didn’t even had a chance to ask what really happened. My mom and brother still in Surabaya to company my two cousins for a few days.

Rest in peace aunt Lena, we will miss your jokes, laughs and especially stories about dad’s childhood.