Trembling Hands, Grateful Heart: When Jestham Finds Sincerity Behind Simplicity

Medan, North Sumatra – (June 28, 2026) There are times when the truest happiness is born from the most trembling hands. That was what Jestham felt when she met an elderly pedicab driver on the roadside. As she approached him, she noticed his body was slightly shaking—not from the cold, but perhaps from exhaustion and hunger. "Quiet, ma'am," he answered briefly when asked about his rides. Without hesitation, Jestham invited him to the nearest convenience store. "I have some blessings from God. How about we do some shopping?" she offered, which was met with a faint, hopeful smile.

Once inside the store, Jestham asked him about the most essential staple he needed right now. His answer was firm and honest: "Rice, ma'am. We've run out of rice at home. Completely out." Jestham immediately guided the man to the rice shelf. "Here, sir. Please take some, sir. Take some!" she said enthusiastically. However, the man only took four packs of rice. Jestham was puzzled. "Just four, ma'am," he said shyly. Jestham smiled. "Just four? Don't worry, I'll add more! How many people are at home?" The man replied that he had two children. Jestham immediately added to his rice allotment without a second thought. "I'll add some more, sir. So it's enough for your stock at home."

Not just rice, Jestham also allowed him to take eggs, sugar, cooking oil, and instant noodles. "Let me get you some more, sir. This is today's blessing!" Jestham said while jogging slightly to help grab the items. The elderly man could only smile broadly, his eyes welling up with tears. "Alhamdulillahirobbilalamin. Alhamdulillah, praise be to God. I am so happy to receive this sustenance today," he said softly.

After all the items were paid for and packed, Jestham invited the man to have a deeper conversation. It was here that she truly realized how heavy the struggle of a pedicab driver in a big city truly is. "Have you eaten yet, sir?" Jestham asked. "I haven't had dinner yet, ma'am. But it's okay. Now that I can bring all this home, it's more than enough. Not having eaten yet is nothing new to me," he replied innocently. Jestham was taken aback. "He even said it's 'nothing new,' sir." The man nodded. "It's normal for pedicab drivers, ma'am. We're poor, so that's just how it is."

The conversation continued, and Jestham began to understand the man's daily life. Besides pedaling his rickshaw, he also collected used bottles to sell. Sometimes he even rented the pedicab, as he did not own one himself. "Sometimes I pick up bottles too, ma'am," he said shyly. Jestham asked how much he had earned that day. "I made 25 thousand rupiah, ma'am. Since this morning," he answered. Jestham fell silent. Twenty-five thousand rupiah from morning until night. Even after spending money on necessities, he only had 13 thousand rupiah left. A paltry sum for a breadwinner who had to support two children and a wife at home.

Jestham did not stop there. "You haven't eaten yet, sir. I have some blessings from God, and I would like to buy you a meal. May I?" The old man nodded gently, unable to refuse the continuous stream of kindness. Jestham asked, "What would you like to eat, sir?" With a beaming expression, he answered, "Hopefully chicken, ma'am. Chicken or fish." Jestham immediately gave him extra cash to buy his meal. His trembling hands received the money with deep gratitude. "Thank you so much, ma'am," he said with a quivering voice. Jestham smiled. "You're welcome, sir. Why are your hands so cold?" The man simply smiled and replied, "It's alright, ma'am."

Before parting ways, Jestham offered her sincere prayers. "Sir, may the groceries we bought today be blessed. May blessings also be upon your family. Please give my regards to your children at home and to your wife as well. I pray for your health, sir. I hope tomorrow your rickshaw gets plenty of rides and that you collect many bottles. Amen," Jestham prayed earnestly. The man nodded, his eyes glistening with emotion. "Alhamdulillah, ma'am. I am so grateful. Alhamdulillah, I have received this blessing," he said with an unforgettable smile. They bid each other farewell warmly, leaving behind an invaluable trail of kindness.

This story teaches us that true happiness is not always measured by how much we possess, but by how grateful we can be for what we have. Trembling hands from exhaustion that still utter words of gratitude—that is the true picture of sincerity. Jestham reminds us that every encounter can become a blessing if we care to pay attention. And behind every simple smile lies an extraordinary strength to keep fighting. May we all always be given the sensitivity to see and share with others. Beautiful, cheerful, and full of laughter—that is a meaningful life when we strengthen one another.