Proverbs 17:6

I deactivated my facebook account a few months ago. This morning, suddenly feeling the urge to contact my late cousin's wife, and some other of my extended families, I re-activate them again. Oh boy did I get "lucky".

We lost Eliap (Hebrews; Eli), our cousin, June this year over cardiac arrest. I could write plenty of posts of his kindness alone. And how he was so supportive of my dream, always read my posts and introduced me to many talented Indonesian writers. 
Ever since his death, I talk to his wife, Kak Tiur online more often that I used to. 

Today, she told me that another one of my cousin, Eliap's younger brother- Elkana (Hebrews; taken from an Israeli settlement in the north-western Samarian hills), is now in critical condition over lung cancer. I talked to Elkana quite often too and have always known that he has been traveling back and forth Penang-Jakarta for chemotherapy the past year. After Eliap's sudden death, our conversations turned into something even deeper; God, death... His plan. Elkana's siblings and my siblings shared the same memories of our parents (their mom and my dad were siblings), our soft-spoken disciplinarian and amazing Piano player; Ompung (Grandpa) Alfred Hutasoit, and how we have been witnessing God's grace in every single day of our lives. One of the best thing that they taught us: Be proud of our culture, learn to use Batak language no matter how far you have traveled the world. This siblings are adoringly successful in their career I am telling you. Their oldest; Elisa is one person that the family always look up to. But no matter how well exposed and successful they are, their love over our roots and its tradition has never been put aside. 
A lesson I will carry for life and forward to my future children.

After Eliap's death, I promised myself to learn reciting The Lord's Prayer in Bataknese. And Elkana's been a great support on that. I am good now :). I can now even sing a few Batak gospel songs!

Just this week, the family was floored. The oncologist has advised Elkana to spend the rest of his days with his family. Cancer has spread everywhere. A happy husband, father of five who never let a day go by without praising God is now counting his final days in bed.

At the end of 2012, we held this big Hutasoit gathering. I missed it. It was just not that long ago, and browsing the pictures now... I realized, we have lost 2 people already. And another one is now battling cancer. They were all there, in the album. Singing, laughing, looking like they still have at least a hundred more years to live...

But, how long have we got left? No one would know. 

I am posting this, in memory of  the two, and in prayer for Elkana and his family... and to appreciate what we have today. Because, really...  what if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?

Below photos are taken from late Eliap's facebook album, posted by him with below verse:

Proverbs 17:6"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."

Well captioned, brother.

The Hutasoits singing Glory Praise The Lord! (RIP  Bapaktua (uncle) Marurat Hutasoit- my Dad's older brother; man in shades)

One with the microphone is Namboru (Aunt) Riris, my Dad's older sister. Dad was really close to this fierce lady who raised 6 children on her own. 

Aunt Kristina, cousin Elkana, Aunt Riris Hutasoit. See how she handles a conversation?

 Elisa Lumbantoruan , Eliap Lumbantoruan (RIP), Togu Tobing (Aunt Riris's son in law), Elkana Lumbantoruan

Isaac Putra Hutasoit, Detrianne Hutasoit and husband Leonardus Situngkir, Maharani Hutasoit, Mama Rosita Simanjuntak

Proverbs 13:20

How truthful this verse is: "He who walks with a wise grows wise, but a companion of a fool suffers harm.". Proverbs 13:20.

It kinda remind us of the good old saying "Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are." 
Yes?

How have you been with the relationship(s) you are in? Love life, marriage, friendship, families, parenthood, siblings, or even work? Do you eliminate the one(s) that are no longer fruitful for you? Or you let them hang around in the corner no matter how poisonous and rotten they can be? Do you tell the truth when you have to end it? Or, do you sometimes create"make believe" excuses and phrases?

How far can you fight? How should you know when to give up? Which one can get a second chance and which deserves a full-stop?

Big quest:
Would you rather be alone with yourself, or you need to have anyone at all even if that someone will not grow and nourish with you; mind, soul and everything that comes with it? Do you compromise with someone that will not challenge you and comfort you at the same time? Say you are doing it just because it is safe thing to do, but at some point, you know you will be walking away... So?

My soul-sister (Yes, you Nickie!) once told me that I have a fertile mind. That is one compliment I would never trade with any pick-up line in a bar! Haha... 
But it is this fertile wanderings that keep me up and I will spend countless hours thinking about it.

Can any of you share me an insight or two?