Along

I wanted to write about my trip to Makati, also known as Metro Manila, (ni ala-ala Putrajaya la ni) but I guess it can wait, when I experience traffic jam on me brain, when I can't think of anything else to write.

29-April-2005

6:00 am. Woke up. OMG - I'm late for my prayer again. Sunrise is at 5:30am here in Philippines.

7:00 am. My kids should have waked up - and ready to school. Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! My eldest picked up the phone.

"Hello ibu" (I guess she have expected the call)
"Hello Along, you sound like a grown up lady today!"
"Ibu ni..."
"Happy birthday, sayang..."
"Thank you ibu, hari ni ibu kerja tak?"
"Of course I am - tapi ibu pergi dalam pukul 8:30 aje"
"Ibu dah beli present untuk Along?"
"I bought something for you last night - it just a dress - ibu tak de masa nak pegi cari something special, sebab habis kerja pun quite late."
"Tak pe lah ibu... just come back soon ok?"

Did I hear the last sentence correctly? Coming from my daughter? All these while, I am having difficulty finding a perfect gift for my kids. To them toys, dresses, eating out are the norm. Nothing special. Maybe it is my fault. Maybe I pampered them too much.

For her to say the last sentence is like music to my ear. She appreciated the thought, not merely the gift. Maybe it comes with the age. One year wiser. I've been praying so often, for them to start appreciating what they have - how lucky there are - to always be able to get what they want. Today, my prayer answered.

Happy 8th birthday Along! (Along is the one wearing white baju in the picture, she is also the one in my profile @ age 3)