Adventure

I went to my grandparents' house earlier today to take my leave. They were hangin' out on the front porch entertaining a guest - well, mostly my grandma. My grandpa's health and mental capacity has been deteriorating the last year or two. He still recognizes me but is quite unable to carry a lengthy conversation. He smiles, says hi, kisses me, pats my arm or my knee, asks me questions and then repeats them a few minutes later.

Suji, my mother's helper/driver, went up to shake his hand and say hello. I teased my grandpa, "Do you know who this is?" He looked at S, then back at me, "Mom's driver." We all smiled and nodded. Suji pointed to me and said, "Tuan, who is this?"

Grandpa, still looking at Suji, pointed to me and said, "Petualang."

Adventurer.

Suji laughed, "Petualang! What a great word!" Indeed. It's not everyday language. It's poetic.
My grandma overheard and laughed. "He still remembered!"
"Remembered what?" I inquired.
"When you were really young, elementary school, the car broke down on our ride back to Jakarta, we had to take a trans-city bus at night. I remember this too, that you said: 'Grandpa, this is like an adventure!'"

Grandpa was smiling at me. I nodded. Yep. Thanks for the memory and the vote of confidence, Grandpa.

So off I go again.