I am back to tell a story in our beloved Lesson From My Father series. Again, this writing is dedicated to my beloved father who already left me to go to Allah’s side which is a better place. Today’s lesson is about Do Not Give Up.

This story happened when I was sent to Pekanbaru to teach students as my service to the boarding school. It is compulsory for all senior students to do activities that related to community services as our dedication. We do the services after finishing our study for a year. Then, we can get the school certificate and transcript for continuing our tertiary education.

Back then, I was in a dilemma since my service will be end on August meanwhile all universities in Indonesia had already closed the registration process. However, one of my friends suggested to me that I had to try to apply to overseas university which is International Islamic University Malaysia. So, I gave a try!

I put all my efforts to complete the requirements but guess what? Everything needs money like passport, registration fee, visa and many more. Suddenly, that day when when I called my parents, I just knew that my parents were struggling to look for money while my father was sick (bowel cancer), I burst into tears in the middle of the conversation with my father. Because, I felt that I am just being a burden to them.

“I think I don’t have to continue this. I can wait for next year when the registration open in Indonesia. I don’t want to give you pressure and be a burden to you. It’s okey, we can wait until next year.”

“You are not my burden. Listen, you should not give up like this. I am not giving up. If you are going to win what you want, then fight for it. Same here, I do not give up to win from this disease so I keep trying to live a healthy life. Ask your mother, I drink my medicine every day. I want to see you to be success. That’s why you are not allowed to give up.”

All in all, I always remember that I have to fight for what I want. Also, we are not allowed to give up because we are here in this place today is a result of our fight for life yesterday.