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It was in the morning of August 17, 2023, the Independence Day. I was on my way to the train station, riding TransJakarta 6H heading to Pasar Senen. Several people boarded the bus from a bus stop in the Kuningan area. There was a young man, some guys, and a family with the mother carrying her daughter. The seats were all taken at that time. The young man then reminded the people to give up a seat for the mother who carried her daughter. A young lady from the women-only area gave up her seat for them.

The same young man who stood up for the mother was carrying a small flag on a small pole on his backpack. After some passengers got off the bus, the young man sat down next to a couple of grandparents who were carrying a baby girl. The baby, I assumed, was around ten to eleven months old. The young man then gave his flag to the baby. The grandparents expressed their gratitude. The baby squealed, expressing her joy.

It might have been a regular and small gesture of kindness. But with the patriotism in the air, it moved me. I thought that those young people could be a reason for an old fart like me to feel optimistic again for this nation.

No matter how dark the times are, there will always be light. Flickers might not be enough to light up the room, but they are juu..st enough to give you hope. Hope keeps you alive. Hope drives you to be a better person until you will become light yourself.

Dirgahayu Indonesia!