It was pretty early out and I decided to walk around this village a few miles shy of Mt. Merapi, Indonesia's most active volcano. I was going uphill and this elderly woman was walking down, presumably to make her way to the town market. I saw her already when I looked up and she was walking the steep slope down. I thought she looked quite regal as the early morning sun cast a soft glow on her face. She ambled down in a faded yet still beautiful green floral dress which I imagined shesewed herself when she was younger. We both smiled and called out "Selamat Pagi!" She, on her way down. I, on my way up.
As I turned around to watch her, a tiny vision of my future flashed before me. Someday, I will also be this woman. Out on a beautiful day, on the way for melons or pears or cabbages. My face will be lined with creases from years of laughter and from sorrows overcome. My gait still spry despite the years. I will return to a house, nearly topsy turvy with books and toys and the sound of my children and grandchildren playing and arguing and making up. There will always be a kettle boiling for tea.
I smiled to myself and thought that despite everything, I know I will be alright. I called out goodbye and she waved back and watched me make my way up towards the sun and trees.
