January Brought Me Back to Imlek Morning in 2017

Never have I ever imagine that I would ask for blood donor due to any emergency situation. Well because who wants to have an emergency? Nobody. 

Today, my grandmother is being treated in the ICU and need plasma convalescent donor from B+ blood. It was very hard to find the right donor because until now there’s still no one that suits the criteria for plasma convalescent donor. 

Some strangers, who got my announcement, showed up and show their big heart to help giving their blood. This reminds me of one moment back in 2017.

It was on January 28, 2017, 01:00 AM, Tidar (my XLFL facilitator) sent a message in our Line group asking if anyone still awake and willing to help. I was still awake that morning because I just got home from a rehearsal session for Imlek fashion show. I thought if I can help, then why not? Maybe there’s a good reason why God gave me this situation. Maybe this is why the rehearsal session took a very long time until midnight. 

Long story short Tidar emailed me and the other XLFL students the next morning and here is what it says.

Subject: A Note on Imlek Morning

Hi arek Suroboyo -

Ingat Line chat saya jam 1 pagi semalam menanyakan siapa yang masih terbangun? Yes, it was an emergency situation. 

Here's the backstory:

Danial (12 tahun) adalah seorang anak asal Bawean yang bersekolah di Surabaya. Long story short, tadi pagi ia harus operasi usus buntu tetapi tidak ada yang menemani karena dia merantau seorang diri di Surabaya.

Dibutuhkan paling tidak satu orang dewasa untuk menemani selama Danial operasi. Setelah tanya kanan-kiri, akhirnya Rara came to the rescue dan bisa menemani Danial. Rara datang ke Rumah Sakit Bedah Surabaya di Manyar sejak jam 5 pagi sampai jam 10 ini. Operasi langsung dilakukan jam 6 pagi.

Rara spent very many hours this morning with a total stranger. A kid she doesn't know before. She was waiting patiently and making sure Danial is fine. Apa yang Rara lakukan pagi ini adalah sebuah pertunjukan yang bagi saya sangat indah. Pertunjukan itu bukan di runway fashion - yang selama ini Rara lakukan, tetapi di sebuah rumah sakit.

Dear Rara, it must be so difficult to stay awake in a hospital at very early. I just wished God gave you the best and I pray you continue to grow as the remarkable woman you have become today. Thanks for showing us your big heart.

Sidenote: My highest appreciation also goes to Anthony who is actually willing to take care of Danial this morning. But then I forgot, today's Imlek. It's the time of the year to spend time with dearest family. And Anthony deserves to meet his family. So thank you Anthony, Happy Imlek! 😊

Your proud facilitator/friend/fan of you all.

Tidar Rachmadi

This story make me realize that I am actually not bad as a human. I still have empathy (or I don’t know what this is called) deep down in my heart. And in the time like this I see there are a lot of people who actually care to others, and willing to help even if I am a total stranger to them.

I thank God for everything that happen to me, whether it was good or bad, it will lead me to something better :’)