I work in Medan, North Sumatra, and every three months I get leave to return to Lumajang, East Java. While in transit in Jakarta, I learned that my mother-in-law was ill. As her health continued to deteriorate, she was taken to a hospital near her home in Sidoarjo. After a day in the hospital, her condition showed no signs of improvement. Due to limited medical equipment, she was transferred to a larger hospital in Surabaya. The recommended hospital was the Indonesian Navy Hospital.
Upon arriving at Juanda Airport in Surabaya, I immediately headed to the hospital to visit her. It was late at night, and I couldn’t visit her because she was in the ICU. Then I talked to my wife about my mother-in-law’s illness. A while later, I decided to go to the hospital cafeteria to buy some coffee, hoping it would help alleviate my drowsiness.
Upon entering the cafeteria, I noticed how clean and tidy the hospital was. No one was lying in the corridors. Patients’ families had to wait in designated areas. Even though I had already had some coffee, the fatigue from the journey made me unable to resist the urge to sleep, and I decided to sleep in the car while listening to music.
After three days in the hospital, my mother-in-law was allowed to go home. And thank God, she remained healthy until the end of my leave.
The next morning, after morning prayers, I walked around the hospital. I took photos in the corridors, which were still empty because it was still early. As I walked through the hospital grounds, I was even more impressed by how clean and tidy the place was. I took photos of the janitors sweeping the grounds.
Every time I see a calm and peaceful atmosphere, my heart feels at ease. That’s why I love taking photos of scenes like this. The serene environment affects my heart and mind, creating a sense of calm.
After three days in the hospital, my mother-in-law was allowed to go home. And thank God, she remained healthy until the end of my leave.