Finding my personal legacy and roots

I believe that most people need to look at their root, to understand the ancestry of personal heritage. My biggest questions for these are about my own personal legacy and the things I shall inherit to my offspring. My personal legacy should enable me to see the legacy not just my father and mother but also my grandparents from both side

Quest of personal roots

I imagine what it feels for black americans to visit the ports where his ancestors were sold as slaves to America or for the Jews to visit holocaust monument in Auschwitz.

I happened to read the story of a Dutch family to see their roots in Indonesia to teach their kids about their personal legacy
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When I was in Iboih beach, Weh Island, I was surprised to meet a Dutch family who told me that the father wanted to trace his childhood in Medan, Aceh and Sabang as he spent several years there including the prisoners for the dutch in Medan.

It could also happen to Javanese in Suriname who tried to find their roots in Java or Javanese in new Caledonia who seek their roots back in Java and in their new home.

My personal things

Talking about personal outlook, I might seem a bit confusing due to two different ethnics of my parents. Some say I seem more like my beloved late mom though I still inherit my father’s typical appearance.

Culturally speaking, my mom has given me great influence as I coud understand her mother toungue for daily conversation. I am more familiar to the her culinary taste as my mom was indeed the queen of her own kitchen. I never forget when I fondly munched tahu tempe bacem she made for the whole family, gudeg cooked with her presto cooker, opor ayam or sayur lodeh. Sadly, I will never be able to taste her food again after she passed away several years ago.

I was also greatly influenced by my late mom as I was closer to her not just because of my upbringing but due to the fact that my dad died when I was at junior high school. I was taught by my mom for not eating with sound, how to address someone older, politeness and able to use her to translate kromo inggil language for me.

Family legacy and roots

I wasn’t too close with my dad perhaps because kids tend to be closer to maternal care since dad needs to make ends meet. That’s why two years ago I decided that I needed to trace my dad’s family root to where he was raised.

My journey to the capital of an eastern province of this country reminded me of how my dad spent early years of his life. How he spent his childhood along with his younger brother, the family matters he had and a touching experience when I made a personal visit to my paternal grandparents’ grave.

A century ago, my paternal grandparents used the steam ships to go back and forth across the world’s biggest archipelago since my grandpa was placed to work in different places in Dutch Indies, Indonesia’s official name before the independence. My grandfather’s job as a police officer has made his children born in various island to one another. My relatives told me that the house where my dad was born is now still used as a police station. I do wish someday I will be able to pay a visit to that town known for its cool weather.

Speaking about my maternal grandparents, I saw faithfulness, simplicity, values of life and family life. My mom was born in times of trouble when the nation was about to be delivered. The situation where she was unable to identify several stages of this nation I used to listen when she shared how difficult that situation was, how different Yogya in the past, how things changed to present condition. I was glad since a year before she passed away I was able to had a date with her in the city she was raised though I wish I could spend more time with her before her death.

Nobody is perfect neither is my family. As I looked on their failure, I made up my mind for not letting the same thing again, not to let my kids do and see those mistakes again. It is also the reason why I need to see my personal legacy.

Family does matter

My child will be born. As always, my wife will inevitably be closer to my child than me. My wife herself has different background. I wish the baby will inherit perseverance, strong faith, blessing to bless the others, strong hope and great attitude.

Personally I think that being stubborn is necessary as it is related to perseverance. Perseverance itself contributes to strong faith that someone should not give up easily. Blessing we have should be the basis on what we share to the others.

O Lord, it is my prayer that the baby will learn from his roots, understand his legacy, be the answer of my prayer and have strong and positive atttude. Personally speaking, I haven’t ended my quest to understand my own personal legacy which I will leave to my kids.