Every Parent's Nightmare

I am so very thankful that my S1 is safe.

It all started as a fun-filled educational trip for Year 8 students. The kids departed early Monday morning and was scheduled to return to school on Thursday afternoon. And then tragedy struck...
Read the details as reported in the Jakarta Globe:
Today's update 11 June 2010 .
Older news - 10 June 2010
- 9 June 2010 AM 9 June 2010 PM (but these proved to be incorrect)

I do have S1's account of the incident, but will not elaborate here at this moment.
There are parents who question the big WHY? and waiting to point fingers. But certainly this is not the time. Search-n-rescue parties are still searching for her. I do pray that she is safe and will return home soon.

I myself are having problems dealing with the tragedy, thus am worried for S1. He seems okay. Normal. He can talk about it but somehow is not really expressing his feelings, which I am sure there will be - fear, sadness, insecurity??? I am worried that he is keeping it all in. He's refusing the counselling that the school is providing. I supposed he thinks counselling is 'girly' or that counselling is for the mentally-unstable. So being a mommy, I wrote to the school and requested a group counselling for the kids that were in this trek. At least, when he sees others opening up, he might. He has gone to school this morning - the school felt that some normalcy will be better for the kids to cope. Plus there will be counselling. I will be going in later ...to speak to the counsellers for some advice.

I didn't know how serious it was until I picked S1 up from school on Wednesday morning. I received a call at 9.00 PM Tuesday on my home phone. And NOBODY ever calls me on my home phone except the carpet man. Yes. Carpet Man trying to sell me carpets. Anyway, so I was a bit cheesed off when the phone rang....thinking stupid Carpet Man calling at 9.00 PM at night so answered with a really gruff HELLO. Then the angmoh voice on the other side asked "Is that Mrs. NomadicMom?"...my heart was like going bit-bop-bit-bop already. Then she asked if I had spoken to S1 earlier (a lot of kids brought their mobile phones with them, and had called their parents to report on their safety...but donno why my S1 deliberate left his mobile phone at home! Plus...he had forgotten my number!!!) which I hadn't. My immediate question was if he was alright. GOD! I tell you...... My heart almost stopped. She assured me that he is SAFE and will be coming back to school the next day (Wednesday), instead of the scheduled Thursday. She went on to tell me that he was part of the group that went trekking in the forest, and due to a flash flood blah blah (can't remember her exact words)....managed to get out, but a student and a guide is still missing. Before I put down the phone, I had to hear her say again that S1 is SAFE. I was soooooooooo relieved that my son is okay but kept thinking of the missing student and guide. I thought they were just lost in the forest, and since the trained-n-experienced guide is with the missing student, things will be fine. I had no idea that they were swept-off by the strong currents until the following day.

The buses were due to arrive at 10 AM, but I arrived at school just before 9 AM....and there was an update on the guide - they found his body. Gosh. I just couldn't help it and started crying. It was just too much. The students had a quick briefing before they were collected by the parents. It was a real sigh of relief when I saw S1. I asked if he was okay....which he answered Yes, but he doesn't want to talk about it. But as we were waiting for our car, he saw his friend...and they started talking. Only then I knew what the kids had gone through....and the severity of it all. I will post S1's account once things are more settled, and after the school has issued official inquiry....don't want the press to simply pick up things and write all sorts. So...later then.

My Deepest Condolences to Pak Ade's family. May he rest in peace.

Please pray that Sei Young will be found safe and sound.