First Time Praying Together with Aisha in Singapore, Denada: That’s a Moment I Am Grateful For

Denada expressed that her desire to pray together with Aisha has long been buried. When that moment finally came, she felt very happy because that simple hope could be beautifully realized.

During the holy month, Denada observed many positive developments in her daughter. Aisha, who has been learning to fast for several years, now appears more diligent and serious in carrying out her worship.

"Yes, Alhamdulillah this year she is more diligent in fasting during Ramadan. Actually, she has been learning to fast for a few years now, but this year she is more consistent with her fasting, and thankfully, she is also more diligent in her prayers," she said proudly.

However, behind that happiness, there is also a deep sadness felt by Denada. This year is the first Ramadan she is experiencing without her mother. Usually, despite the distance, they would still communicate via video call on Eid. Now, that moment can no longer be felt.

"Yes, the first time even though this is Ramadan without mom, usually we celebrate Eid since 2018 when we moved to Singapore by video calling (with mom), this year we cannot do that anymore, so it's sad but I am grateful because there are other things to be thankful for," she said sadly.

Despite being enveloped in a sense of loss, Denada still tries to focus on positive things. She is grateful to see Aisha grow healthy and increasingly understand the values of worship. Their togetherness becomes a strength in living life without the figure of her mother.

"Yes, I am grateful because there are other things that I should be thankful for. Alhamdulillah healthy, Alhamdulillah I understand fasting better, I am more diligent in my prayers, that sort of thing," she added.

It's not just about worship, Denada also has to face the reality of the high cost of traveling from Indonesia to Singapore. She was even worried that she wouldn't be able to celebrate Eid with Aisyah because the flight tickets had skyrocketed.

"Yes, I was really, Alhamdulillah, very happy because I had been thinking, oh, will I be able to celebrate Eid in Singapore? Because remembering that the tickets are really expensive to Singapore," she said.

She then devised a plan to still return to Singapore without breaking the bank. One of the ways was to fly to Batam first, then continue the journey by ferry.

"Yes, I just came back from Singapore to here yesterday and had to pay for the ticket multiple times the usual price. I left from Jakarta to Batam and then took a ferry; I made an effort to arrive late in Singapore to have dinner with Aisha," explained Denada.