It was a terrible news. Yesterday daddy informed me of a passing of a dear cobbler. He was a cobbler my whole family knew for a very long time now, stationed just a few shops away from dad's. Every time as I passed him, I would never miss the chance to say "hello Pak Cik!!!" in the most uplifting voice. He would always greet me back. At times we would exchange short conversations. He was a nice, friendly, good man, thick in his state's "pelat'"or rather, accent.
Yesterday I was wearing the sandals that I last brought to him to sew. I always admired his sewing skills. It was neat, firm and lasting. That was the very last sandals I brought to him to fix.
I remembered the last time, as I sat while waiting for him to finish my shoe. I marveled at his skills of his sewing. I don't know whether he charges expensive or not, but I faithfully go to him every time. That time, we had a conversation about his family. And where he lived. I vividly remember he saying it was near college. And he had a few kids, and one goes to a college nearby. I was astounded when he told me of his age, because he looked incredibly young (and fit) for such an age. There were other small talks about stuffs related to him too, like was it lethargic to travel a distance, etc. Never knew that was the last time. And it felt like so long ago. It's sad that the memories are vague.
And suddenly, this happens, I'm suddenly reminded that Life is short. The candle can die off at any moment. Just a snap, and 'The calling' comes, with no alarm, no rhyme, nor reason.
From now on, I will keep in mind to take every meaningful conversation to heart. Even if it's as insignificant, or small, like the conversation I had with Pak Cik. It's sad that I never even knew his name. He was a good, faithful old Cobbler.
Hope he rests in peace.
Yesterday I was wearing the sandals that I last brought to him to sew. I always admired his sewing skills. It was neat, firm and lasting. That was the very last sandals I brought to him to fix.
I remembered the last time, as I sat while waiting for him to finish my shoe. I marveled at his skills of his sewing. I don't know whether he charges expensive or not, but I faithfully go to him every time. That time, we had a conversation about his family. And where he lived. I vividly remember he saying it was near college. And he had a few kids, and one goes to a college nearby. I was astounded when he told me of his age, because he looked incredibly young (and fit) for such an age. There were other small talks about stuffs related to him too, like was it lethargic to travel a distance, etc. Never knew that was the last time. And it felt like so long ago. It's sad that the memories are vague.
And suddenly, this happens, I'm suddenly reminded that Life is short. The candle can die off at any moment. Just a snap, and 'The calling' comes, with no alarm, no rhyme, nor reason.
From now on, I will keep in mind to take every meaningful conversation to heart. Even if it's as insignificant, or small, like the conversation I had with Pak Cik. It's sad that I never even knew his name. He was a good, faithful old Cobbler.
Hope he rests in peace.
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