Yui: Mommy, look, the bird with the triangle-shaped tail is flying really fast. The one with the square one is flying reaaaally slow.
And it was only then that I realised it was supposed to be that way. All this time I thought they were just different types of birds.
You were watching way too much videos already so I asked you to come on over to help me beat the eggs. Result: you had a tantrum because you didn’t want to help and just wanted to watch. The tantrum was a confirmation you’ve had too many videos and so I set my foot and commanded you come on over in the kitchen.
The moment you beat the eggs though, you were your usual gay self already and was having fun. Then you volunteered to cut the pechay/chingensay/Chinese cabbage. My first instinct was not to allow you to hold the knife. But you looked so confident that you can do it and I most definitely don’t want to break that confidence. So I grit my teeth and handed you the knife. As you positioned the knife, you said that Sugawara-sensei told you the other hand that’s not holding the knife should be like a cat’s hand; curled like a cat’s hand so that those cutie little fingers won’t get nipped.
I’m loving your head teacher all the more. By the way, you cut those two heads of pechay quite evenly. Good job, Anak! 🙂
It was an easy piece but quite a challenge in terms of keeping you engaged such that you could keep the right tempo. In all your practice sessions, there were times you moved too fast and other times too slow. But today, your tempo was perfect.
What I was most proud though? It was that when you made your bow before and after your piece, you lingered in your place and made eye contact with the audience. You owned the stage, my confident little one.
No, this isn’t about your first crush. And I know as well that this isn’t the first time that you got broken hearted with a friend. I still remember that morning during your second year in daycare (1 yr old class Futaba gumi) when you reached out to embrace your girl best friend when you saw her arrive, only to be pushed away roughly, just because she was still not in the mood. How you cried then. My heart cried with you too.
Your broken heart today was also with a friend. For the first time, you shared with me your feelings about something that happened to you at daycare. That how one of your girl friends laughed at your right big toe that still has the flaking blue nail polish. You said you were both embarrassed and angry. I hugged you then and asked you again how you felt. Was happy when you said you feel better with the hug.
Saw it as a chance too to teach you the lesson that we should not laugh at other people. That it’s not funny. That you should make a stand and tell the other person how it isn’t funny.
And I warmed as I see you getting passionate and saying that in daycare, Japanese is spoken so you should speak in the language. Asked you how to say in Japanese. And then you translated what you ought to say, perfectly (笑った、だめ!!); complete with the right expression on your face and your hands in your hips.
We did still remove your nail polish but I hope that you learned and will stand up for yourself against bullies.
Be brave my lovely little one.
Today was laid back and nice; the weather beautiful and perfect for walking around after Church. Perfect for reflections and thanksgiving, most specially since Yui didn’t throw any tantrum and was such a big sport at the museum – totally had her voice down the whole time!
But what really touched me was how Yui highlighted our anniversary day, twice today.
We walked by a billboard with a woman on a wedding dress and her man looking at her. Yui stopped and exclaimed excitedly that “Mommy also wore the same beautiful dress and Daddy was the Prince! And then you both danced!”
Later, while we were sitting and waiting for the bus, Yui, seated between us, gathered both our heads together and exclaimed happily, “Mommy, Daddy, happily ever after ne! Yui wa, dou ka na; mada ka na (how about Yui; maybe it’s not yet my time)”. That last sentence she uttered with a sigh.
There’s much to be thankful for. But we are most thankful for you, dear Yui, for the person that you are. Little still, yet big of heart.
For the new school year this April, your head teacher asked your class to draw your own portraits to be posted on your “Leader of the day” board.
And you drew this. It’s beautiful. You drew a child who looks happy, benevolent and smart. Proud of you, baby.
