Wise Words When We Are Down

2020 has been an 'extraordinary' year for me personally. Since Zauji was diagnosed with retinal ablation in 2019, our lives have indeed been a little colorful because now we have to be friends with Cicendo Hospital to treat Zauji's vision. Moreover, in early 2020, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer by a doctor. At the same time, I had to take care of both of them while in a long-distance relationship because I was still working out of town. Not only do I need a place to lean on, but I also need words of wisdom when we are down that I often whisper to myself when I need strength.

How does it feel to have to deal with two loved ones in my life suffering from serious illnesses at the same time?

The world felt like it was upside down. Even at one point at the beginning of the pandemic, when Zauji was going into the operating room, I also had to take care of my mother for a consultation with a general surgeon after a mastectomy. Unfortunately, I couldn't delegate her to someone else because I had to directly discuss the hospital we would choose for the next step, chemotherapy. So I left Zauji with my teenage nephew and the security guard while I 'ran' to another hospital that was quite far away to accompany my mother.

Alhamdulillah, my mother is not a fussy person and tends to be obedient when it comes to medical and health matters. After the matter was finished, I rushed back to Cicendo Hospital to wait for the operation to finish.

Even though I look strong, sometimes I feel down. Alhamdulillah, my mother has been declared healthy since September 2020 and is only required to have monthly check-ups. Zauji himself has now entered the maximum stage medically. Naturally, the right eye affected by retinal detachment will lose its vision as an effect of the HD silicone that has not been evacuated for some reason.

As sad as we were at the beginning, knowing that Zauji could lose his sight, even now my heart sometimes feels lost. And of course, feelings of sadness should not be allowed to continue. Many times I tell myself to always be strong.

Always be thankful

Gratitude is not only present when we receive blessings. We can also express gratitude when Allah gives us tests.

Thank God for everything.

Be grateful in every situation

That's what I always say, not only in my heart but also out loud. If we see our trials are very heavy, be sure that many people have trials that are much heavier than the burden we bear.

I cried sadly seeing Zauji's condition, but there are still many things that I should be grateful for. I still have a friend who always faithfully accompanies me wherever I go. Until now, Zauji still takes me to and from work. Not infrequently, we still travel by motorcycle out of town. We can still joke and laugh.

Which other pleasures do I deny? Wise words when we are down that we must always ingrain in our hearts and minds.

While in the hospital, I saw another side that I can be grateful for. We are still able to go to the best hospital, consult with the best doctors, and buy medicine for hundreds of thousands even with independent costs. Allah still provides easy sustenance that not everyone can easily get.

As Zauji always says, don't focus on the right eye, whose blessings have been reduced, but be grateful for the other blessings that Allah has given, which are even more numerous. the blessing of the left eye, the blessing of legs that can walk, the blessing of a family who really loves us, the blessing of work, and millions of other blessings. And the most important thing is the blessing of faith.

Patience in Facing Trials

Trials are a reminder for us to never forget Him. No matter how hard the test we receive, it will make us stronger in living life.

How amazing is the condition of the person who believes because all his circumstances (bring) goodness (to him) and this only exists in a believer. If he gets pleasure he will be grateful then that is good for him and if he is hit by trouble he will be patient then that is good for him (HR. Muslim)

Allah promises happiness to His servants who are patient.

Indeed, only those who are patient will be given their reward without limits (QS. Az Zumar: 10)

Allah is sufficient for us. Hopefully all this patience will bear fruit in heaven in the afterlife. Amen.

Tests Won't Last Forever

Allah had recorded everything fifty thousand years before Allah created the heavens and the earth.

And all happiness, as well as trials, will not exist forever. The world is a place for temporary trials. And Allah will not give us tests beyond the limits of our abilities as servants of Allah.

Always remember, there is ease behind the difficulties we face.

Allah will give spaciousness after narrowness (QS. Ath Tholaq: 7)

Waiting for Allah's help is worship. Hopefully every effort we make will become a record of good deeds.

Indeed, we belong to Allah and we will return to Him. O Allah, reward me for the misfortune that befell me and give me a better compensation

Amen.

The best for us

With our eyesight decreasing, we must always believe that Allah always gives the best for every human being in his creation. Good according to us is not necessarily good according to Allah, and bad according to us is not necessarily bad according to Allah.

Why is that?

Because Allah is the one who created us, Allah is also the one who knows what is best for our lives.

It may be that you hate something even though it is very good for you, and it may also be that you like something even though it is very bad for you. Allah knows while you do not know. (QS AL Baqarah: 16)

And the point is that Allah will not disappoint His servants because tests sometimes come as a form of Allah's love. All tests are actually part of God's way of bringing us closer to Him.