You can listen to the song at this link. I am sorry that I do not have an English translation for those of you who don't understand Malay.
One of my choir
seniors was doing a solo rendition of this song at a recital
we were performing in. I was about 5, had only lived for half a decade by that time, and therefore, didn't know much
Malay - but something about the song made me tear. Perhaps, it was how the words "Sama-sama" (trans: together) resonated with the part of me that was always afraid of being lonely.
As I came across this song today, I thought back - past all the farewells/transitions in life - of that day when Erina sang this song at the recital. I stood in the tiny red shoes of my much younger self - who was waiting for her turn to perform on the Electone. I heard Erina sing again. Melodiously, powerfully. Backstage, the older children and teenagers sang or hummed along with dreamy smiles on their faces. I busied myself for the next few minutes, wondering what or who they could have been thinking of. The smell of encased wires, carpet, wood and musical instruments filled the cold-ish air. The youngest of the group suddenly felt afraid, even as she held onto the hand of an older child in silence. She was never one to be immediately open about her thoughts. The older child looked down and smiled. "Are you ready?"
Startled, she scrambled out of her head. Looked up, smiled and admitted, "My tummy feels like it is turning upside-down." The older child laughed. What an adorable girl!
She was not afraid of solo-ing before the crowd. Rather, she was afraid of the long journey of life that lay ahead. Afraid that the familiar would suddenly dissolve into the dark unknown. Afraid of being abandoned. Afraid of death - and the separation that death brings.
Afraid of being alone. Such a vulnerable, overwhelming emotion for an adult - not to mention that for a five-year-old child.
Such wild, distracting thoughts before an important performance.
Oh well. She still played Kubota's "China Junk" captivatingly, I think.
I comforted the little one: "But you will never be alone. Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour ~ He died for your sins. He already knows you. He knew you even before you were conceived in your mother's womb. When you finally get to know Him... when you surrender to Him your life... even when you have to bid loved ones and good friends farewell... even when you need to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, please know that He will yet walk with you. You do have an interesting journey ahead of you. Live it to the fullest, will you?"
I don't know if she heard me. She would certainly make all the mistakes that I made in life... and I can't do anything about that! However, my heart in the present was filled with both gratitude and hope. Indeed, God makes all things work together for those who love Him - and are called according to His purpose.
Jesus, thank You.
To those who have walked with me - or are still walking with me - through the journey of life... family, friends, mentors, prayer partners, ministry partners etc... thank you.
The lyrics:
Tibanya di sini
Bagai terulang lagi
Kisah yang indah
Antara kita berdua
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