Under the Scorching Sun: The Story of an Elderly Man Sustaining Hope Through a Bag of Crackers

East Medan, Medan City—(04/25/25) Between the chill of night and the scorching heat of day, amid the unceasing bustle of Medan’s streets, we often catch glimpses of life’s unsung heroes—those who press on despite their limitations. One such figure is an 88-year-old grandfather, his frail steps carrying a sack of crackers, a silent testament to resilience in an age that should be filled with peace. The unyielding streets bear witness to his weary strides.

The old man’s sorrowful tale unfolded slowly. His wife had long passed away, he had no children, and solitude was his only companion in the shadows of the cracker factory that now served as his home. He slept on a long bench, merely a temporary refuge. His lungs, ravaged by chronic illness, could never dampen his will to survive. He subsisted on earnings from selling crackers, and due to his failing health, porridge was all he could stomach.

Amidst his struggle, fate led him to cross paths with Jesica Thamrin, affectionately known as Jestham, whose heart was moved by his plight. With glistening eyes, Jestham approached the exhausted man and gently asked, "Where are you headed, Grandpa?" He explained he was selling the crackers in his sack. When Jestham inquired about the price—"Rp5,000 per pack"—he revealed he hadn’t sold a single one that day, a heartbreaking admission.

Jestham then asked about his family. The grandfather shared that his relatives lived far away in Padang, and he couldn’t afford the Rp450,000 journey home. Pointing to the medicine he carried, he confessed to suffering from chronic lung disease and internal fractures but had resigned himself to fate, too weary to seek treatment. "I’m all alone—no children, my wife is gone. If I had a child, maybe I wouldn’t be left like this," he said, his words piercing Jestham’s heart with the weight of his solitude.

Without hesitation, Jestham decided to buy his entire stock. Together, they counted the packs—47 in total, worth Rp235,000—but she gave him far more, a blessing that made the old man’s eyes shine. "This is for you, a gift from God today," Jestham said sincerely. A grateful smile spread across his weathered face as he raised his hands in prayer, thanking the heavens for this providence and blessing Jestham in return.

Though she offered to buy him food or rice from a nearby store, the grandfather declined gently. He could only eat porridge, and the shared house where he stayed already had rice. Overflowing with gratitude, he simply wished Jestham success and divine favor. In turn, Jestham prayed for his health and strength, ensuring the money would also cover his journey to Padang if he ever chose to return.

Sometimes, life’s greatest lessons come from the frail steps of those we pass daily. They teach us how endurance defies time and how an old man’s smile can still reveal life’s truest meaning. The meeting between Jestham’s compassionate heart and this cracker-selling warrior is proof that kindness always finds a way—bringing hope and blessings even in life’s harshest struggles.