To My Children

I just heard of the passing of my KL buddy's 2-year-old son last November from a fall off the 7th floor of their condominium. It greatly saddened me and I felt such pain at their loss. This news shook me up so much that I couldn't function in the office. I kept on thinking of how much my family, especially my darling children, meant to me. Would I be strong to carry on if they were taken from me?

Children are a gift from God (of course, scientifically, it is the fertilisation of the egg by the sperm). They are on temporary loan to us parents before they return to the Lord. We are their everything during their childhood and to me, I want my children to experience every happiness that I can possibly give. No doubt education is important but I'd like to think teaching children about love, compassion, respect, understanding right from wrong, responsibility and self-esteem surpasses getting 100% passes and being number 1 in school. So what if a child fails in his/her examination? They'll do better next time. Stressing out our children during childhood is really too much. They'll have stress when they reach adulthood. Let them enjoy childhood!


My Year 2009 Resolution (where my children are concern):-

1. Not raise my voice at my children (even though they stretch my patience to the limit)
2. Join in their make-believe games ie let them be hairdressers (even when I'm tired)
3. Go swimming when they want to (even though the water is cold enough to chill a pack of beer)
4. Buy books that they want (and not what I think they should read)
5. Watch and learn up names of Ben10 Aliens (so that I understand what my son is talking about) - Done! (until next season comes)
6. Be enthusiastic when my children are (even though I don't understand the extent of their happiness about a school trip to McDonald's which they visit every so often with Dada)
7. Let them scramble egg and cut vegetables together with me (even though this will mean mealtime is later than usual)
8. Allow all three children to sleep in bed together with Dada and me (even though this means lying at the edge, ready to fall off when I turn my body)
9. Allow my children to make mistakes (even though it hurts me more than it hurts them)
10. Try to answer all the whys (instead of saying "because I said so")

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To My Children

(something I borrowed from a forwarded email)

Just for this morning

I am going to smile when I see your face

and laugh when I feel like crying.

I will let you choose what you want to wear,

and smile and say how perfect it is.

I am going to step over the laundry,

and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

I will leave the dishes in the sink,

and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon

I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off,

and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream

and whine for the ice cream truck,

and I will buy you one if he comes by.

I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up,

or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

I will let you help me bake cookies,

and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal

so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening

I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about

how you were born and how much I love you.

I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch,

and count all the stars.

I will snuggle beside you for hours,

and miss my favourite TV shows.

When I run my fingers through your hair as you pray,

I will simply be grateful that God has given me

the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are

searching for their missing children,

the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves

instead of their bedrooms,

and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms

watching their children suffer senselessly,

and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you goodnight,

I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer.

It is then, that I will thank God for you,

and ask him for nothing, except one more day.

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I love you very much, Mark, Adele and Nicole.

You'll always be my babies, no matter how old you get.

So, YES, I'm always right (and so is Dada)!