Appreciating the role of mother should be done on any day. In Indonesia, December 22 has always been a day to be marked as Mother’s Day. As a son or a daughter, we should take a moment to appreciate our mothers for everything she has done for us until this day. Not only as children, Mother’s Day is also an appreciation reminder of a lifelong journey for the mother itself. Especially for the strong mothers who take roles in the education field as well.
Dr. Jenny Ratna Suminar, Dra., M.Si., the Vice Dean for Resources and Organization of Faculty of Communication Science Universitas Padjadjaran, shared an enlightening story as a mother in her family. Jenny believed that a mother is the first school for her children in the family. It means that a mother is the one who introduces good values more intensely. A mother is also a source of power through never-ending prayers for her children, even when they become adults and have their own families.
Moreover, playing a role as a lecturer for 36 years and the vice dean for the last 5 years is not without support from Jenny’s husband, the father of the children. Jenny said that with this role, she is entrusted to have more energy for the additional work beside lecturing. She stated that with support from her husband as well as believing that Allah SWT will accompany her on this journey, Jenny can complete all of these. Furthermore, Jenny believed that a mother should be smart to manage time for accompanying her children, managing the family, and still actualizing self-potential.
Benazir Bona Pratamawaty, M.I.Kom, known as Benazir, is a Communication Science lecturer who is currently studying postgraduate at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. She shared an inspiring story as a mother in her family and also a postgraduate student. Benazir mentioned that Mother’s Day is not only a day to contemplate and appreciate our mothers, but also to respect women’s role in social life. In this patriarchy culture, it is important for fellow women and mothers to respect, support, and avoid excessive judgement towards each other.
Studying abroad has always been Benazir’s goal that turned into her little family’s goal. With the support of her husband and extended family, Benazir has the opportunity to study abroad with her husband and daughter. Playing roles as a student, a wife, a mother, as well as a supervisor, is a long and tough journey. However, Benazir mentioned that she enjoys every process because opportunities like this won’t come for the second time. Her postgraduate friend once said, her daughter can learn a lot from this journey and is inspired to do the same in the future. Benazir then realized that no matter how hard the process is, there is a future generation – her daughter – who witnesses and grows along the process.
On this mother’s day, we are encouraged to appreciate our mothers with their own battlefields. As Jenny said, “Until whenever, a mother is always a home for her children, a place to return that always accepts her children in times of joy and sorrow, anytime. Forever, indeed.”. For a mother, her children are who shape her into a fearless person like now. “Because actually, her existence is what made me get a ‘mother’ title. She is the reason I become the better version of myself every day” Benazir stated. Happy Mother’s Day! (Ed)