Dear Grandma Shades,

Remember the older times you had spent with Lois and me? Do you recall … the fun and everlasting bond that we perceived over the moon.

We were on cloud nine back there – with look of ecstasy on our faces, twinkling eyes lit up, shrill peals of laughter and lips break into a pleasant smile. Then one day, in an imperceptible terror, you have deeply convulsed Lois and me, and our father and mother, as well.

On that fine day in 2001 when I was still 8 and Lois was 5, you brought us, together with Mama Michelle and Papa Jack to Yogyakaita and stayed in that cosy villa. On that first day when we arrived, you gave the over-sized heavy luggage to the motel doorman. The first night was rather a fearful one – the dark night with glistening moon shining on the mysterious forests around the motel. There was imperceptible terror – my feet rooted to the ground, numb with fear, mouth parched; Lois too – her nerves tightening into a knot, leaden feet, icy-cold hands and screaming incoherently “autistically” all around the rooms due to her intense fear of ghosts. Then you, with your patience and warm old love, hugged me intact and even allowed me to sleep with you while Lois slept with Grandpa shades.

The next day was a rather delicious one. Together we consumed the delicious ‘Soto Ayam’ that we never had before. Not only that, I ordered five and a half portions of the ‘Soto Ayam’and fuelled my tummy full for the rest of the day. For a week, we had completely taken a relieving and celestial pill from our busy stressful school and work. At night we used to sneak out from the motel to buy paraffin and wandered around Hutan Pasir with lanterns. Naughty fireflies that did not sleep that night were pitiful, weren’t they, Grandma? They had to migrate and live captively in our glass container. The love, fun and happiness and bonds that we had created were endlessly deep.

Then let’s travel to the part where we spent a wonderful time in Disney Palace in USA. In the long exhausting flight of Boeing 477 to America, I felt very gloomy and tired after some long torturing hours. So you gave me your spare pillow, which you had readily prepared way before the flight. This time, we stayed in an expensive, modern hotel where it was much secure than the Yogyakartan villa. The next day in the Disney world was a fun one – there were humorous pieds playing with their trump swords, butchers selling testy vermillion meats for lunch, ghost houses with blood-curling scream etc. then, in silence, when the last day of our holiday passed, we isolated ourselves, back to our work-and-study life.

Then on one particular day, in an imperceptible terror, something brief had already happened to you during that appalling night. Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead. My mind went blank, blood drained from my face, mouth bone-dry and heart racing. The day before, the moon shone glistening, but that was the last time we saw the moon like that. Then you, with your wise and cheerful face, asserted that “sometimes the moon looked as if it had changed shape, but it really stayed circular all the time.” Although you had now became a mere wind blowing, I will always know that even though I can’t see you, you will always be watching me from the other world. Lois drenched her pillow with her tears and plunged into an abyss of misery. Tears trickled down from Mama Michelle’s and Papa Jack’s eyes, opening floodgates everywhere. However, even when brimming with tears, I always believe that you loved me. So have a great life up there and by the way, don’t forget how delicious ‘Soto Ayam’is and remember to wear your shades to look cool, maybe those around you will look up on you this time.

Your Precious Little Grandson,
Andrew