I gracefully accept Your blessing

Long before I married to my husband, I once wrote my dream in a mobile phone notes application. It contained my dream of a small family that I wanted to build in this world. What kind of husband, the number and gender of children, and even travel plans for family quality time in countries  and abroad — all were poured into that writing.

I kept that note for a long time, and even after I changed my phone several times, the note was still copied and pasted. And who would have thought that what I dreamed of would one by one begin to come true. The notes that became my unceasing prayers began to be answered by the Owner of the Universe.

Getting married at an age that was no longer young was our choice, as we were building careers and working in the remote areas of Papua. Who would have thought that we would meet our soulmate, who met my dream specifications, in the middle of a dense forest where the number of settlers could be counted on one’s fingers.

Meeting my soulmate with the same vision, mission, and dreams made us not take long to move our 9 – month long – distance dating relationship to the level of holy matrimony. We returned to our hometown for a short while from our temporary home to hold the wedding, traveling with three different flights.

Two days before our wedding, my grandmother passed away. The wedding was almost cancelled by the elders in the extended family. However, after a fierce debate with our parents, it was finally decided that one day before the wedding, the mourning period would begin, and the wedding would still be held as scheduled. It was a difficult decision, but we had to make it. Amidst the sadness, we held a simple wedding without a party. I was so heartbroken when I saw my mother and father-in-law shed tears, not only because of the wedding but also because they understood our sadness. My husband hugged me tightly and promised to always take care of me.

The first year of our marriage was a long-distance relationship. Although we lived in different districts, communication via phone at certain times made us feel like we were still dating. However, I finally realized that my period had not come for two months. With a pounding heart, I tried to check my first urine the next morning. A faint two lines appeared there. I wanted to scream with joy, but doubts held me back. What if it was a false positive because the test pack was old stock?

I told my husband, who was on the other side of Mount Gergaji, via phone. He immediately ordered all types and brands of test packs available in the nearest town and sent them to me. Three days later, the test pack package arrived. The rumbling in my chest became even louder, making me dizzy. The next morning, I waited as if it were a month for the sun to rise. I quickly tested my first urine that morning with seven different test packs, and the result was… Two clear red lines appeared on all the test packs I used.

My heart was filled with indescribable joy. However, a cloud of sadness suddenly descended. My mind was in a turmoil of fear when I remembered that after our wedding, I had consumed antibiotics, which are not allowed during pregnancy. 

Feelings of happiness, fear, and confusion all came rushing in, as if invading my heart and mind at once. In the midst of isolation in this remote area, I had to process everything alone. My husband was on the other side of the mountain, beyond forests and valleys, so it was impossible for him to reach me quickly on one day. Amidst my confusion and excitement, I immediately informed my husband about the joyful news while also sharing my worries regarding the antibiotics I had consumed.

My husband’s voice sounded very cheerful over the phone; he tried to comfort me and assured me that everything would be alright. His support truly brought calm in the midst of my anxiety and uncertainty. He convinced me that we would face every challenge together, no matter what happened.

In the days that followed, I went through the early stage of pregnancy with mixed emotions — there was immense gratitude, hope, and extra caution in taking care of my health. 

Every morning, I always looked forward to hearing from my husband, and his gentle greetings over the phone seemed like vitamins for my spirit. Though distance separated us physically, his prayers and support felt like a warm embrace, making me feel I was not alone in experiencing my first journey as a mother-to-be. The presence of our future child became a precious blessing, adding new colour to our life journey together in a foreign land.

Kreator : Vidya D’CharV