The Worst Can Be The Best

Life is like a wheel. Sometimes we’re up. Sometimes we’re down. And, when we’re down, be ready not only for the worst, but also for the best.

One day, my family had to face with the fact that we lost enjoyment living in a cozy middle-upper class people. My mom complained she was no longer received any money from my dad. While, my dad complained he had no money because the money went to the bank. There was loan that needed to be paid. My mom was so upset with the fact: we became poor!

Growing up in a traditional noble family, my mom learned that a man should become the bread winner, though actually she once had higher position than my dad at their office (a state-owned enterprise). But then she had to give it up because of a regulation, which mentioned a wife should accompany her husband. My dad was mutated to other town, and my mom had to follow him. She then became a full time housewife –something that was hard for her actually, but in later she enjoyed the status as middle-upper class wife.

And, suddenly, she had to face the fact that my dad was bankrupt.
It was like the end of the world for her.

Until one day, when my mom’s friend introduced her to a woman Cooperative. She offered my mom to join, and advised my mom it was better for her to have income. So, my mom began to explore her talented gift: cooking. She then started to run her catering business, and joined the cooperative with the help of her friend. She gave my mom a recommendation. It is one of the requirements if someone wants to join that cooperative. Later, when she needed to get a loan, she only needed to get approval from her group members.

The cooperative is known as “Kopwan Setia Bhakti Wanita”. Their famous system is called tanggung renteng, which could be translated into joint responsibility. Tanggung renteng means that if we can’t afford to pay the loan, then our group members will share to pay for us. Detail on the cooperative could be found on their web: Setia Bhakti Wanita.

Now, my mom is 71. She still sleeps late to cook (while I’m enjoying my comfort sleep). But, she loves it!
And, my dad will always smile in his long sleep.