The Kids
My Sister was in Sydney last week visiting from singapore with the kids as well as my brother and sister in law. I've basically been off the net for the past week simply because they were here for one week only, and with work and overtime, that only leaves me a few days to spend with them. I think my sister has done a magnificent job on her kids. They are some of the most well behaved and smart kids I know. My sister has never ever hit them. Not even slapped them on the hand for misbehaving. Yet they are so well behaved! Its so rare to see kids that you can reason with, without having to lie or make up stories. You can tell them the truth and they will accept it and not throw a tantrum (Most of the time anyway). I think what amazes me is their maturity and understanding even when they are so young (5 and 3). I remember when my nephew was 3 years old and we were watching Godzilla. He was scared of the movie until his dad turned to him and said "This is only a movie. It's not real." After that, he was no longer scared. How many kids can grasp the concept of fantasy and reality? I know heaps of kids who are still scared of "monsters" that their parents make up to scare them. "Go to bed or the monster will come and catch you" etc. Yet with them, we never had to make up those stories. We simple said "Go to bed. Or do you want me to be angry?". I reckon my sister has done a wonderful job on the kids. Hopefully I can be a good parent like that one day, IF i decide to become a mother.
My Sister bought me a book when she came over. Its very similar to a bible, but it takes excerpts from the bible and they add in more motivational stuff. I was lying in bed this morning and I saw the book next to me. I suddenly remembered a story I've heard quite a few times.
A man was walking along the beach when he turned around and saw a set of footprints that represented every stage of his life. Next to his set of footprints was another set of footprints which belonged to God. However, he noticed that there was only one set of footprints when he was going through the toughest time of his life. The man then went to ask God why was his set of footprints missing through the toughest time of his life? Why did God abandon him when he needed his help the most? God replied "There is only one set of footprints because when you were going through the tough times, I was carrying you".
Although I'm not the most religious person in the world, I love that story. And it saddens me to think that, unlike God in the story, I cannot be there by my nephew and nieces side when they are going through a tough time. I see them once a year for a week or two at most and I must wait another year before I get to see them. I know I cherished every minute I spent with them this week because I knew I didn't have much time to play with them. I used every opportunity to tell them that I love them very much. Hoping, wishing that they won't forget me when they go back to Singapore. Hoping that when they grow up, they will remember that they have an Aunty that loves them very much and will be there for them.
I have been so busy at work the past few weeks with all the overtime and weekend work. When the kids came over, I had to choose. Work or Family? Stay back at work to do a fantastic job and get the recognition I deserve and a promotion that I earnt, or go home and spend time with the kids? Luckily, everything seemed to work itself out and I didn't have to make a choice. But I know I will have to make that choice one day. And right now, I don't know what I will choose. Lets just hope that whatever I do end up choosing, I won't regret one day.
