What is it that you truly long for, at this moment?

That question paid me a visit earlier today—upon asking myself what question I had at that moment. I posted the very same question on social media. The response I had from friends were: coffee, quietude, their bed, their apartment, water (it was still a Ramadhan fasting period), relief of headache, their mom and dad, nature, mom’s cooking, and peaceful mind.

Despite being deceivingly mundane, I appreciate my friends’ responses as honest expressions of longing. Basic, simple, light, and immediate; nothing long term, heavy, or complex. There was a need for relief and relaxation; a deeper wish than one might care to admit.

Sepiring tradisi

Di rumah kami, setiap tahun, lebaran, antara lain, berarti ketupat, opor ayam, sambal goreng ati ampela, telur pindang, dan kerupuk udang—semua buatan sendiri (kerupuk udang tinggal goreng).

Dulu sekali, Ibu yang memasak. Kemudian, ada seorang asisten rumah tangga yang berlebaran di Jakarta yang memasak. Setelah beliau pensiun, pernah mertua kakak saya yang memasakkan. Beberapa tahun terakhir, ipar saya memasak, dibantu kami semua.

Berpikir praktis, dan berniat baik untuk tidak merepotkan kakak, lebaran kali ini kami memesan makanan lebaran pada pihak ketiga.