Churchill

Whenever you doubt yourself to take on an immense task, thinking your current life must be excellent first before you take on another great role, think of Churchill. How despite having an immense personal debt, and an erring & troublemaker child, he did not doubt himself in assuming the role of the British Prime Minister, at a time when war was raging.

Not all of us are Churchills of course. But who knows, you could be better.

life with a grade schooler: silkworms

After the golden week, you’ve been gushing about how in a few days you’ll be receiving eggs. Silkworm eggs that you’ll be taking care of. Fast forward a couple of weeks and they’ve grown. You’ve been heralding us of your silkworms’ antics and how the two seems to have different personalities. And yes, they have names: Shiro and Kumo; and that you can tell them apart because of the little black marks on their body.

And then, for over a week, you’ve been praying for a sunny Friday; apparently they could die in the rain hence you can only bring them home when that Friday is a sunny day. Told you I’ll pray in turn for a rainy day.

But your prayers were heard.

Thankfully they need to be housed in a closed box with some holes on, I wouldn’t be seeing them always. I feel like shrieking whenever I see them, my heart feels like it’s being squeezed.

Come Friday night however, my heart is being “squeezed” by an altogether different matter: your thanksgiving prayer.

After your evening prayers and you getting tucked in for the night, you suddenly bounced up, positioned yourself in prayer, and with sincerity in your voice, you prayed with gratitude on how your prayers were answered. And that you look forward from now for more answered prayers.

Such faith. Such gratitude. My work is done. Love you baby.

life with a grade schooler: the one with the plastic bag

You showed me your crafts book and told me you’re required to bring clear plastics trash bag the following day. This is at 11:50pm.

We searched frantically since our trash bag is the milky type. We have a clear one but it’s such a huge huge bag; perhaps, as tall as I am. We tried to unroll it first time, then looked around again. When we couldn’t find a clear plastic, we went back to the huge bag. And stared at it.

Then, eyes twinkling I could almost see the light bulb, you said: let’s cut a small portion, and then I can tape shut one edge.

Gasp. Such problem solving skills! Why didn’t I think of that. Awestruck.

life with a grade schooler: being there for a friend

As you unloaded your bag, you happily exclaimed to me you got a letter from your classmate (who I happen to know). On her short but sweet letter, she said sorry for suddenly crying during your task together today and that she thanks you for comforting her and that she’ll do better next time.

You looked so happy reading the letter (apparently you put off reading it until you could read it in my presence) yet confused as well. You said you didn’t say anything. That what you did was just rub her back and waited for her to cry her heart out, until she’s ready to move forward and carry on with the task.

After hearing your story, while saying it in your comical way, it’s my turn to cry. I’m so proud of you baby. Because you did the best thing a friend could do on times like that. Sometimes, all we need is just a friend who will sit beside us, pat our back, wait for us silently, support us, not judging us, wait for us until we’re ready to move forward again. Thank you for being you.