Obituary Lily Wahid: Gus Dur's Simple Brother Despite Having a High Position

 

Obituary Lily Wahid: Gus Dur's Simple Brother Despite Having a High Position

When Mother Lily Wahid became a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, she only drove a blue Kijang Kapsul released in 1997. I wrote 'only' because 'what-is-difficult-to-have-a-more-than-that-car-with-that-high-level position- ?'

As far as I know, Mother herself did not intend to change the car. Even so, many of his colleagues offered to replace the car. But he often refuses… “Mpun, Niki Mawon. The important thing is that it is lak nggelundung (Enough, that's all. The important thing is that you can still walk)”.

Actually, as the co-pilot of the Blue Kijang at that time, I would be happy if you changed the car. So I can drive a better car, at least it's more comfortable, if you don't know the streets of Jakarta there are maps with large screens that have been built-in , and of course they are more authoritative when I get out of a luxury car. So I thought. But Mom is different. He was still comfortable with the blue deer.

Mother's reluctance to change cars and rejection of her colleague's offer is her fast, or restraint of lust or temptation that has the potential to interfere with her sincerity, in this case, especially, her alignment with the interests of many people. Of course I'm not saying that a good car is full of temptations, but I think Mother chose to fast from that temptation. That's why he remains comfortable with the Blue Deer.

This was also stated by Mother in an interview about her Blue Kijang… “I would not be comfortable riding a nice car while the people in my constituency still live below the poverty line,” said Bunda, 2011, at Tempo.co.

Maybe for Mother, the car is the same. The important benefit: can walk and not overheat. In that car, Mother likes to play classical music such as Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Vivaldi and so on. When it comes to his favorite music, he enjoys playing his hands in the air, and muttering to the beat. I also often stumble to the rhythm of the song so that it seems like I understand the classic song.

It seems that the moment of taking Mother from one place to another is one of the best moments in life. Because at that time, I was able to learn from a very close distance his life practices, such as how to firmly hold on to the principles of truth, or how he conquered his own passions.

Master Storyteller

Lily Wahid's mother is a master storyteller. He often tells many stories, especially the stories of the relationship between scholars and NU scholars. The stories of scholars are packaged in such a way that it is easy to understand and often emphasizes the humorous side so that it often makes the whole room laugh out loud. The stories are not free of value. The story is a reflection or a guide for us who are part of the struggle of the scholars.

The story will be more exciting when you are in certain graves. Like always accompanying Mother on a pilgrimage to Sewulan Mojokerto, Mother often recounts the relationship between Sewulan and Tebuireng while pointing to the graves she mentioned one by one. One of my favorite stories that I remember is that of a very fierce Bu Nyai who even the kiai feared at that time.

The story behind major events in Indonesia and the world is often a long conversation starter. All of these stories will end with a predictable analysis: "What impact did this incident have on NU and the Nation?" or “How can NU play a role for the common good”. From there, usually Mother will take ibroh from the stories of the Ulama in the past, to be a reflection or guide for the steps that are best taken at this time.

Mother's skill at telling stories in a fun way has made her a great consolidator for various levels of stakeholders: officials in charge love to hear her stories in between heavy conversations, kiai often laugh and enjoy Ibu's exciting stories, especially young activists who are no less happy to hear exciting stories. what Mother said. Especially if it's night, to the point of neglecting your health.

Mother is basically a female Ulama who is lively and open. This trait makes young NU activists feel comfortable around Bunda, to talk about problems they are facing or just asking for a little help from Mother.

In fact, when Mother is in the midst of young children telling stories, she is actually being part of the development of a much larger civilization. More than that, Mother is installing ideals into the skulls of us listeners, so that later we become part of that great struggle.

“What is more powerful than a story?”

Two Words Often Said: Nahdlatul Ulama and Indonesia

In addition to her regular aurod, of course, perhaps, if someone takes good notes, the words "Nahdlatul Ulama" and "Indonesia" are the two most spoken words by Mother Lily Wahid.

Every time he talks, both formal and casual, he never doesn't talk about NU and Indonesia. What is always thought about is the benefit of the people, and the fate of NU citizens.

May Allah accept his deeds of worship and forgive his mistakes during his life. Alfaatihah…