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.
Yui: Mommy, you know, Thomas Edison was “99% perspiration and 1% inspiration”. So it’s really all about work.
Me (big smile): yes baby. That’s why, on your first hour of trying, you should not give up easily. And also that’s why you must never say you can’t do it when you never even tried at all.
Yui nods understandingly. My work here is done.
Yui: Mommy, here’s my new character. She’s always happy. But when somebody does bad, she releases poison at the speed of Mach 10.
Me: 😮😱😱 you know what Mach is?!? You know how fast Mach 10 is?!?!
Yui: yes. It’s so fast you can’t see it.
😱😱
She’s barely 9. I won’t even share how old I was when I learned about Mach. 🤭🤭
This evening, I shared with you that I said no to a business trip/meeting because it would mean being away from you for at least two weeks around the time of your birthday. That when I saw my schedule, and saw my Unit’s meetings dates, it was an instant no. You then heaved a deep breath and hugged me tightly; even without words, I could feel how grateful you are that I prioritised you.
And then your next words made me speechless.
How about your other teammates Mommy? How are their families if they’ll be away?
Empathy. A generous heart. In which you don’t think only of yourself, but also of others. God bless you, baby. And I am so proud of you.
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.
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.