A Priceless Group Photo

The picture of a special moment means everything. There's such power inside that could generate a million feelings later when we recall it. Although we know that our brain works well so far in saving memories, there's no guarantee that we're able to visualize a certain memory many years from now. In some cases, a picture could help you gather the whole puzzle into one. That's why some of us believe that capturing a special moment in a picture is necessary.

A few days ago, I had a better realization of how important taking a picture was. It didn't mean that I had no idea about it before, I just got way more amazed by how it worked. One added that it became more meaningful when it was captured in a special moment and at the right time with the right people. I could not agree more with that statement. Then I saw, in a specific context, that I was not a good collector of moments before.

Something must've happened so you got more into the picture, right?

As people always say, there must be a reason for everything. My co-workers and I finally had a proper group photo with the dress code several days ago. I said finally because we'd planned it months ago when one of us was transferred to another unit and made us apart. However, gathering people from various units was not easy. We postponed it to an undetermined date which happened to be two days ago. It was perhaps also driven by this urgent reason; a farewell to one of us who would soon go abroad for pursuing a master's degree.

After having a long survey of which studio should we pick, we decided to go out of town which was also our typical choice of all time. We picked the earth-tone theme as our dress code. Yes! Everything was set up though there were two of us who didn't join the shoot due to personal matters.

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture.

And save it from the funny tricks of time.

That part of a song pops up in my mind whenever I look at the picture of us together. That also reminds me of how fast time could fly and how far distances could part us later. Most importantly, I realize that the connection we make is not for us to keep, it is for us to cherish instead. I mean, we all have our own goals and we don't mean to stay here, in the same place for years or even forever. Years or months from now, we will be separated away, following the road we choose, growing, and sometimes disconnected by fate. I know, who doesn't get scared of losing connection? Even though we already be familiar with that "people come and go", there's still a surge of that indescribable feeling inside.

Then when she's gone, there's that odd melancholy feeling.

And a sense of guilt I can't deny.

That part hits me more though I know that the song itself refers to the mother-daughter relationship. For some reason, I just feel like that song really fits for a soundtrack of a good farewell. The more I listen to it, the more I find my emotion could align with the message that the songwriter trying to deliver. Yes, watching people go for their good is quite complicated to tell. It’s like two sides of a coin. I mean, they are different but they aren’t completely separated. One sure thing is that no one in this world could barely feel anything about farewell even though it is the good one.

Speaking about a good farewell, I think we have experienced it at least once in our life. For me, it is not just about the purpose of the farewell itself – which is for good – but also the outcome or the impact that comes after. There are also good farewells that cost you all night crying and swollen eyes in the morning. Sometimes, dealing with a good farewell also takes time longer than a sad farewell like heartbreak or the death of someone you love the most. I wouldn’t compare which one is the saddest or causing more pain because no one in this world is okay with a farewell itself. I just believe that every good farewell will inspire you though you feel such a guilty feeling over it.

However, I am happy to have a group photo with my coworkers. It turns out perfect and it represents all memories we’ve shared so far. I might have mentioned this but I would put highlighted notes to complete the picture:

Note 1: I never ask God to send me to a certain corporate or surround me with the specific character of a coworker in my prayer. All I ask about is the atmosphere of a workplace that supports me to grow and feel grateful for what I have. I might not work in my dream corporate right now and I know why, but God works in a very magical way. I ask for a supportive workplace, and He gives me those guys in the picture instead. At first, I questioned, will they turn out to be people who would undermine and step on my toes without any hesitation? Months later, I could say this out loud, they are the best coworkers though there are dramas (which is normal) that we so often have in our daily work routine. One indicator that proves them a non-regular coworker is that I feel like losing them forever when they are transferred to another office.

Note 2: Through ups and downs, dramas to dramas, storms to rainbows, we pass them all and make many good memories together. There're also times when we send random posts from Instagram and laugh over them. The fact is that we might know those posts are not funny at all but we find them relatable so we just laugh. How silly we are, right? If we talk about relatable things, I will also add those funny stickers in telegram – which mostly are about non-rated swear words – that spice up and color our daily work routine. Those yes-go people when it comes to exploring new cafés and fancy places are also priceless. 

Note 3: If someday we pass by with an unfamiliar look, I hope there’s a slight moment flashing in our brain so we turn around and say “Ehhh!” to each other. If that flashing moment doesn’t come to you, that’s okay, I hope I could take my overthinking away so I dare to greet you first, and vice versa. If only – this is the one thing that I avoid the most – we have completely forgotten each other, I hope that we have lived a wonderful life and there’s no regret for losing that piece of a moment (why am I sad writing this?).

To sum up those notes, I feel grateful and blessed for the existence of the people in the picture. I am also thankful for having them around me, preaching, laughing, gossiping, judging, helping, and sharing our thoughts throughout these past months. There’s no need for me to hold them tight since I always pray for their dreams to come true; which offers distance as its consequence. Yes, I understand so well since I also have a plan not to stick around them for too long. I mean, there will come a time in the future when we all are separated by distance and reunited again in certain moments. One thing that I want myself to always remember and I hope they do; even though we are far by distance, our feelings and bonds will remain the same.

That’s all that I could tell you about. Cheers to us all!

Warm regard,