As I opened up the calendar on my phone, I saw the date fell on December 25th, Christmas. I was becoming used to thinking there are seven days in a week to calculate the running rules of time. Monday to Friday is the time for work and school while weekends are for fun.
Today I drove you and your younger sister to school as usual. I stopped the car at the roadside and was about to get off and take you and your sister to the gate for the morning examination. At this time, you told me, “Mom, let me take my sister to school.” I said yes to you with trust. Through the car window, I watched you two walking away more than ten meters. Both of you looked back and waved goodbye to me with smiles.
You took your sister by the hand and walked into the school gate side by side. You said hello to your classmates and chatted with them joyfully. However, sitting in the car, I tried so hard to wave goodbye to you but both of you seemed to ignore me, which made me feel a little lost.
I knew that you had already entered into the school so there was a fence and window between us. You were ready for a new school day.
I remembered a book I’d read, “Take a Snail for a Walk”. By taking the snail for a walk, we can hear the sound of the wind, smell the sweet flowers and sense the beauty in our life.
These past days, we enjoyed ourselves in the festival atmosphere! All kinds of shops and stores, such as shopping malls and training institutions, made efforts to strengthen the festive atmosphere by mass advertisement and great promotions.
In the afternoon of last Sunday, we went to a drawing class. After class, we happened to witness the studio being decorated, with the aim of surprising those people attending the Christmas Party that evening.
The roof was covered with brightly colored balloons and the plates were loaded with countless sweets, egg tarts and fruits. On the Christmas tree, there were sweet greeting cards and glittering neon lights. So many beautifully packaged gifts piled up under the tree. And a lovely song came into our ears: “We wish you a Merry Christmas…” It was all about having a carnival for Christmas.
My son stopped and didn’t want to leave. I tried my best to convince him to go home early and go to bed because tomorrow was Monday, a school day.
“Mom, I really want to join this party.” My son said yearningly.
“Christmas comes every year, and this year you have already spent your Christmas in your school. It’s too cold today. The clothes I wear are so few. I want to go home early.” I insisted.
“You can go home and change. There’s still an hour before the party starts. We still have time.” My son kept on fighting.
“Just tell me one reason for joining this party. You cannot join the party just because there are delicious candies and colored balloons.”
“I’m tired of playing Lego at home. I want to go to the party and play with other kids.” He said in an injured tone.
“Little sister, what about you, join the party or go home?”
“I also want to join the party with my brother.” She has always been a supporter of her brother.
“Okay then, let’s go to the party together. I agree with your reasons.” Please bear in mind that whenever you have any problems, do not cry; you can say it out clearly just like now, as tears will not solve the problem. At that time, I was holding the steering wheel and wanted to hold you tightly. It reminded me of how you helped to take care of your sister every day. You would wake her up in the morning. When she was struggling to get out of bed, you would try to coax her out of bed with her favorite toys. In the evening, you would read picture books for her before going to bed…
Your little sister said, “Mom, I’m so afraid of wolves.”
“Brother, tell me, is there a wolf?”
“Wolves do not appear in the places where we live. Wolves are social animals. The reason why you are so afraid of wolves is you have heard so many stories about princesses. Don’t be afraid, brother will protect you.”
After listening to my son’s answer, I thought it was so wonderful to have an elderly brother.
We went to the party as said. Holding their father’s hands, my children strode into the party site happily. Later, they let go of their father’s hands and joined to have fun with other children. They tapped balloons, chased each other around, talked about what they had seen and heard recently, and went to the table to get delicious food of their own choices.
The host went on stage and announced the start of the party in a high voice, “Who can tell me why we eat apples on Christmas Eve?” You raised your hand high above your head and stood out from other children. The host walked towards you and handed over the microphone.
You answered, “Eating apples on Christmas Eve can keep us safe and healthy.” Indeed, only when we are healthy can we be happy to do the things we want. The performances at the party were rich and wonderful. We watched both of you dancing to music from “Snow White” and you moved along with the rhymes. You turned around and around, with big smiles on your faces. In between turns, our eyes met and you smiled at me, so warm and happy.
The little girl in the skirt and the sun-shaped hairpin was my little daughter. Standing among the children with a smile, she gazed at the “Snow White” beautifully dancing around the stage. Those dance moves deeply attracted her.
Looking through the crowd, I saw my husband watching our children so intently and happily with a big smile on his face. Maybe he was thinking, “Why didn’t my little girl dance with others?” Sometimes I would have the same question, “Baby, why are you so unique?” I imagined that you would grow up just as quickly as your elderly brother; perhaps I might have to bear greater sorrow when parting with you.
Having been accustomed to the ups and downs of life every week, we might lose the pleasure in it. The happiness on your faces at the Christmas party made me realize that growth can sometimes happen in a very short moment, but we need to slow down our pace and recognize it. This is life. By slowing down and stopping for a while, we can also sense the beauty of life.
May we never be absent from any stages of your growth. Every time you turn your back and leave us is a bittersweet moment for us.
We hope you will be brave and strong, and walk towards a bright future of your own. Home is the warmest shelter for you and we will always welcome you back with big smiles. May you stay true to yourself through the ups and downs.
International Sunshine Home Arts & Sciences