This is February 14th. This is valentine’s day. The day of love. Everyone said that. Not everyone I suppose.

So, do you prepare yourself for today? What are your plans? Do you buy gifts, say chocolates or flowers may be? Do you go out on a romantic candle light dinner? With whoever you may be, the one you care and love?

I don’t prepare anything, coz I don’t have any plans for today. I don’t celebrate valentine’s. I never did. I don’t even recall on the day. For me, it’s just an ordinary day, just like any other days that pass and go. I guess, I’ll stay at home tonight with my family, and without any discussions of valentine’s. If you don’t, so what bugs you here, sitting in front of the computer, writting unnecessary things in your blogs?

…

Back in 2002, when I was a student of architecture department at UNDIP Semarang. I did recall on the day. That day, I was going back home from college in the afternoon after a tiring day with tasks and presentations. I stayed with my grandparents in their house during that period of time. On the way home, on the bus, I kept heard the voices of my friends, discussed everything about valentine’s, in my head. They were about to buy gifts, and planned to go out on a dinner. Did romantic stuffs. I didn’t have any plans for that day.

Suddenly, I remembered my grandma. She was like a substitute mother for me. She looked after me, taken care of me. She loved me very much. Once she said, ”Rangga is not my grandson. He’s my son”. (FYI : Rangga is taken from my last name-Septarangga- which is my family call me with). And this thought came crossed my mind, that it would be nice if I bought her something as a gift. Something to show that I loved her too. So, I bought her a flower. It was a beautiful pink rose.

When I got home, she was there sitting in family room with grandpa, reading a small book of prays, with her a cup of hot tea. She was surprised when I gave the flower.

She said, “Rangga, is this flower for me?”

I answered, “It’s for you”.

She kissed the flower. And still in unbelief thought she said, “But for what occasion?”

“Coz it’s valentine’s, and I don’t have anyone who love me but you”, my replied.

Then she hugged me and kissed me. She smiled and said, “Thank you very much. It such a beautiful rose. How do you know that I like flowers?”

I didn’t reply, I just smiled. I could see her eyes sparkled. Grandpa was stood next to her and smiled too. Then she quickly put the flower in a vase on a table in family room that would last for 3 days. During that time, she was so happy. She proudly announced to all the guests who came-even to all her children and grandchildren-that she received a flower from me as a valentine’s gift.

…

But now she’s gone. My beloved grandma. Later, my aunt (one of her daughter) told me how grandma loved me so much for many reasons, one of them was because I’m the only one of all her grandchildren to gave her flower-ever. She said grandma kept saying my name, remembering me, especially for that valentine’s flower gift. The one she would never forgot. Neither would I. Even now, I still can feel her embrace, her smile, and her sparkling eyes on that day. The day that I gave her flower.

For my beloved grandma, this is your grandson’s writing, remembering you, and missing you.

“Grandma, may God forgive all your sins and pay all your kindness, put you in a place at His side in heaven. Amen.”

The original writting was with the tittle “For My Beloved Grandma”, posted in Friendster Blog Paranoid Android back in 2006