"Sometimes... I am envious of Leman. Every week gathering with his children and grandchildren, and son-in-law in harmony... Leman is really lucky."
Accidentally Luna heard her father's complaints while chatting with her mom on the terrace one afternoon.
His voice was soft but clear enough to her ears that happened to be passing behind the door. "Our children and grandchildren... all of them are far away... it's hard to get around... son-in-law doesn't get along," the father regrets.
Luna did not hear her mother's comment. But she could feel what her parents were feeling.
Pak Soleh, Luna's father is two brothers. Om Sulaiman or is usually called Pak Leman, Pak Soleh's younger brother is also blessed with five children. Like Pak Soleh's children, Pak Leman's children are all married.
Pak Soleh and his wife are retired office workers, their lives can be quite adequate. Their children are all graduates of the university.
Meanwhile, Sulaiman's job is 'only' a construction worker, while his wife does an odd job, and the highest education of their children is in senior high school.
Growing older as their children are married, things turn upside down.
Good fortune seems to be on the side of Pak Leman's children. His son-in-law has a good background, both economically and personality. Husband and wife all carry out their functions well. This can be seen clearly when Lebaran arrives; when they visit Pak Soleh's house, they all look content and happy.
Every Sunday they also spend time at their parent's house, who lives in the same city. Each family brought food for the potluck, the house was far away in a narrow alley beside the river, but it seemed that the hut was the most pleasant place to visit.
The relationship between the son and daughter-in-law is peaceful, they live in harmony. It's Relationship goals that make Pak Soleh feel 'envy.'
***
Luna's father and mom are no less attentive to their children; education and other needs are always met. They are very responsible parents, educating their children with high discipline.
Even in terms of religion, on a certain scale, Pak Soleh is much more obedient in carrying out worship. Pak Soleh and his wife are very united in this matter. The mom would knock on the door every morning to wake her child up for the morning prayer. And she will not stop knocking until she sees her child getting up to the bathroom to fetch holy water.
Likewise, every time comes home from playing, she asks, "Have you prayed yet?" and mom knows very well who has not prayed. "Let's pray first!" reprimand mother when someone sits relaxed at home. Nothing escapes mom's attention to this matter.
Pak Soleh as the father; never expects to be able to escape his anger when the kids are not at home during the praying time in the evening. Pak Soleh will wait with a broomstick in his hand if his children do not perform the praying together. This harsh upbringing made their children obedient and diligent in worship.
But growing older, as an adult why do Pak Soleh's children seem full of struggles? Not as Leman children, who seem to have a life full of ease?
Pak Soleh's daughters have to work to be the family's breadwinners, the daughter-in-law has no respect for Pak Soleh and his wife, and various problems drain their emotions. What is wrong...?
***
On one occasion before returning to Jakarta from her Eid holiday, Luna intentionally visited her uncle. Not necessarily once a year she visited his house. Her father, Pak Soleh may have never set foot at Leman's house.
Luna was greeted enthusiastically by Pak Leman and his wife. Bu Leman went straight to the kitchen to make drinks.
"Still on vacation, Om?" said Luna while sitting on one of the chairs that were worn out.
"Yeah, it's just a short break."
"Where are you working on a project now, Om..."
"Wow... thank God the project continues... it doesn't stop," he answered with a soft voice and a wide smile. "It's hard to find a handyman nowadays, so the foreman can't treat the handyman as he pleases." He added with pride.
"Moreover, I have experience ... already have bargaining power, so if there is a job anywhere I will be the first to be contacted," he continued.
"At work, I am also the one who the foreman most loves... if something goes wrong, I am always defended, so many workers jealous with me..."
Om tells the story in an optimistic tone, each sentence accompanied by a light laugh. It's been like that from the beginning.
"Now I can change clothes every day and buy deodorant... So among the construction workers, I'm the one with the most fragrance hahaha." Om laughs carelessly. Om's way of telling stories is as if he has the most beautiful life in the world.
Om also enthusiastically told his children's lives and his son-in-law's genealogy.
Someone can repair electronic devices, receive service at home,
The other one works at the Cellular counter,
Another son-in-law is a traveling baker,
The other else a janitor who opened a grocery store at home and is grateful that they have made their own house a gift from their in-laws. Om is very proud of his son and daughter-in-law.
Luna was silent, occasionally chiming in or provoked questions, all of which were answered lightly. Without the slightest hint of regret or dissatisfaction.
***
That night Luna sat on the terrace, remembering the conversation with her uncle this afternoon. The girl did not remember the details of the whole conversation with her uncle. Pak Leman, But what can't be forgotten is...
THE ENERGY.
Luna is very sensitive to energy. She could feel a person's energy even if the person was new to her or did not speak. Pak Leman's cheerful and enthusiastic demeanor sends out positive energy that makes everything look fine. And maybe that's all right. It seems like he thinks his life is perfect. And that's how he felt, he didn't care or envy other people's lives.
With a low education, he rarely advises children. But the positive energy creates a pleasant atmosphere. His children feel good about themselves. Comfortable being themselves, feeling accepted, feeling satisfied. It is recorded in their subconscious mind.
His children also may not have many options or special tricks in finding or getting a mate. But with a positive subconscious state, they have positive thoughts and send positive energy. Thus they also attract positive people, the same 'frequency'. People who are comfortable with themselves. The law of attraction works.
They are people who can be happy, not because of their money or possessions, not because of their work, not because of their relationship, not for anything, but because they are already happy and content with themselves.
Do they become people or families without problems? Certainly not. Even Tono, Om's first son, had quite an embarrassing case for the whole family. Impregnating the neighbor's daughter.
Luna's father, Pak Soleh, scolded his nephew, saying that he had tarnished his face as a respected person in his village and defamed the family.
On the other hand, Om, who had a problem, seemed to stay on his son's side and supported him, with not a hint of anger showing. Finally, the problem can be solved without dropping the son's self-esteem. Now Tono has moved on and lived a married life in a good marriage.
***
Luna recalled the many prohibitions and rules in her home, which of course had good intentions, but often led to tensions.
Washing dishes had rules, drying clothes had rules, and even laughing had rules. It can't be too loud because it will disturb the neighbors.
Once Luna dried clothes but not the way her father wanted, so her father rearranged the clothesline the way he wanted it.
Actually, it's not washing the dishes or drying the clothes that are the problem, but the energy it generates, the energy of pent-up anger.
In the subconscious, Mr. Soleh's children always feel wrong and lacking in themselves.
And just as on the 'inside' so too does what happens on the 'outside'.
The events or people that come into their lives are the 'same' people as them in different versions.
The household is full of conflicts. The son-in-law relationship has many intrigues and various complicated problems.
***
It seemed Luna had found the answer to her father's concerns about the source of her uncle's luck.
It was Mr. Leman's positive energy that reflected in his joy, enthusiasm, and pride yet surrender to his life that was the true gratitude. Mr. Leman's good feelings, thoughts, and demeanor were the source of good energy, which would attract good things that eventually brought, what Luna's father called,
Luck...
Energy never lies
***
It seemed that Luna had found the answer to her father's concern about the source of her uncle's luck. It is Pak Leman's positive energy that is reflected in his joy, enthusiasm at every opportunity, pride, and appreciation for his life. Feelings, thoughts, and a good uncle's disposition are a good source of energy, which will attract good things, eventually bringing what Luna's father calls Luck...
***