Giving Thanks Amidst Simplicity

That morning, Fajar woke up earlier than usual. The rain from last night still left dew on the leaves, and the morning air felt cool. From the window of his simple wooden house, he saw his mother busy in the kitchen, preparing breakfast from the ingredients available. It was nothing fancy, just rice, fried tempeh, and chili paste. But for them, that was more than enough.

Fajar smiled. He remembered how in the past, when his father was still around, his family lived comfortably. However, after his father left, their lives changed. His mother had to work as a washerwoman to make ends meet, while Fajar tried to help as much as he could. He often felt jealous seeing his friends who could eat well every day, wear new clothes, and have smart phones. But his mother always reminded him, "Son, don't keep looking up. Look down, and be grateful for what we have."

That day, Fajar went to school with light steps. After he got home, he helped his mother wash the neighbor's clothes, then studied under an oil lamp because the electricity in his house often went out. When night fell, they sat together on the terrace of the house, enjoying warm tea and looking at the starry sky.

Fajar looked at his mother and said, "Mom, I'm grateful that I still have you, that I can still eat, and that I can still go to school."

His mother smiled and stroked his head. "That's happiness, son. It's not about how much we have, but how much we appreciate it."

That night, Fajar slept with a heart full of peace. He realized that true happiness is not about having everything, but about being grateful for what you already have.