We were relaxing at our cottage by the beach, resting after our daylong travel and mentally prepping ourselves for your Ninang Maha’s wedding the following day. The evening was balmy, the night sky clear. The stars were beautiful to look at from our hammock and I pointed out to you the Orion’s Belt. I wanted to tell you that those stars were meaningful to me. That way back when I was lonely and away from loved ones (and most especially that time when your Daddy and I still live away from each other), I just look up and look at the Belt and I’d smile, be comforted; knowing my loved ones can also see the same stars, that we are under the same sky.

But that story would be too long given the moment we had right there at the hammock. So I just told you that you can remember the stars as us – Daddy, Mommy, you; thinking and hoping the stars will also comfort you as it did me. Then you smiled and giggled. 

Last night, we saw your wound, one which we couldn’t determine from whence it came, arrayed in such a way as the Orion’s Belt. I laughed and pointed this out to you. And then you said with a smile, “Daddy, Mommy and Yui, ne”. 

Was awestruck with how you remembered our tender moment at the hammock in our beach cottage. Yet again a reminder for me to always thread gently  and lovingly where you are concerned.