Braveheart

This piece goes to all mothers who have the same experience as I did. To all mothers who have no choice but to left their children for important reasons.

I have never been separated from Omar less than 6 hours since he was born. I breastfeed him until his 23 months plus 15 days old. I took him him everywhere I could, whenever the situation is possible. But last month, I have to go to Mecca to fulfill my pilgrimage for 3 weeks and it was what we thought best to left Omar back in Jakarta.

He had been left alone with his nannies and my auntie, all of my siblings and and my parents come with me to Mecca. Although we left him with no stranger, but still a pangs of guilty feelings come to me often while I was in holy land.

A wise advise came by to my ears , "Hey don't punish yourself, if you're with your baby give your best but when it comes to left him, just let go..

But it was hard for me, I couldn't stop calling him every 2 days and whenever I was calling Omar, he was so brave, I told him : Don't worry Omar, I will coming back soon, be patience, be strong for me okay.." and he answered :"Iya Ibu, yes mommy, you don't have to worry too..."

His nanny and my auntie even told me that he never cries looking for me nor he thrown tantrums or whatsoever instead he became more quite than usual and refuse to eat..

Later when I arrived at the airport,back in Jakarta, he didn't shed any single tears when he first saw me, instead he pulls me and hold me tight like he would never let me go again, ever. It was the best hugs I ever experience in my life - so sincere, coming from my own son.

And I told Omar "Congratulations baby, you have a brave heart, you have to know what does not kill you, will make you stronger..."

I will remember this moment forever and I hope Omar too will remember this wise words and hold on to this words, close to his heart.
Jakarta,January 06,2008