Jagad's Mom

Today I will tell you about Jagad’s mom. Jagad’s mom whose name Natalia Alami Asih was born in Jakarta, 1977. Her nickname is Nat. Talking about new born baby can’t be separated from talking about mother. From her I could learn many things. I dare to say myself, there were two new born human beings in hospital, me and my son. The birth of my first son is my new life. It’s a miracle.

Living in the same house with the girl who conceived for about nine months has given me some unforgettable experiences.

We met each other for the first time in front of Hotel Nikko while the twilight casting a shadow over Jakarta. At that time she had worked as a corporate internal auditor at Wisma Nusantara. And I was still working for Investigasi Tabloid as a journalist. Afterward we made a personal encounter at Kedai Tempo, a small food stand in the complex of Utan Kayu Theatre, East Jakarta.

On the tiny desks, we encountered any things. We tried to introduce ourselves to each other. Over a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice, we shared our own stories of families, favorite books, colleague, and other activities. After getting together, not long afterward, she introduced me to her parent and sisters live in Sawangan, Depok. Then, at the other time, I introduced her to my mom and sisters in the house of Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta. Her family was very welcome to me and so my family to her.

Nat is a strong type of woman. She is so smart and cute. She likes to show her analytical thought. Maybe this character has been shaped by her official tasks as internal auditor. I see her as an easygoing girl. She always greets her guests or new friends cordially. She is so openhearted although in the certain case she is also too stubborn to stick to her opinion. But I like her very much. I like a girl who has her own attitude. And I love her.

Although we have different educational background, both of us have studied in Jesuit’s college. She graduated from Gonzaga College of Pejaten. I graduated from St. Peter Canisius Seminary of Mertoyudan. Even I ever became a member of Jesuit Order. Yet before finishing my philosophy class in Driyarkara I made my resignation as a Jesuit Scholastic. My resignation have no relationship with her because it happened three years before I saw her at the first time.

The longer the deeper. Our relation became closer. All kinds of birds warbled in our heart. The colorful rainbow flashed over our mind. My heart looked like a glass glittered in the sun. And we got married on 26^th November 2006 coinciding with the feast of Christ the King. Our marriage was announced formally by my own friend of seminary Father Henricus Eko Riyanto from Missionary of the Sacred Family.

In the middle of 2007, Nat got her first pregnancy. She felt upset stomach. At the sixth month of her pregnancy she decided to resign from Carrefour as store controller. She often felt headache. She became more sensitive. As husband I tried to understand and always kept in touch with her. I tried to fulfill whatever she want me to do.

Both of us are equal partners. There is no subordination among us. This commitment has been declared since we took our marriage vows. We always try to understand and instill the values of what Saint Paul had written on letter for Corinthians. Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud; doesn’t behave itself inappropriately. Doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil. Doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Bears all things, believe all things, hope all things, endures all things. And it’s the most important thing for us, love never fails!

Finally on February, 27^th 2008 when the drizzle lasted for hours over the capital, my son was born. I felt relieved knowing both my wife and son were safe. We pray he always brings luck to our family. God has shown us his miraculous works. Spontaneously I sing a psalm. The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. Day after day they pour forth speech, and night after night they display knowledge.

We realize we are still on the long journey. I just to say thank Nat right now. Let us be guardian angels for each other, especially for our beloved son. God bless us!