11th birthday for Darling today 5th of July.
Darling has been a great friend, sister and an even great joy to me. As she begins to mature from a small child to the now pimple breaking adolescence, I couldn’t help but be amazed in the difference in her since I first met her when she was 5.
Then she was still a tiny small fellow, who dirtied her clothes where ever she goes. Rachel and I would bring her to the gym and she would run around so much that she vomited and had to wear my full of sweat t-shirt home cause we got to throw her soil t-shirt, we would bring her to the science centre and she would seat on some 'just painted' chairs at the bus stop and stain her nice skirt ,so in the end when we brought her to ssentosa one time, she brought 2 sets of extras for just in case....She was also a very protective sister at that time because whenever Rachel and held hands she would always try to come in between to separate us.
Then there was the few years ago when I just start coaching her in her studies, I did not have much experience and I only knew biblical principles but still that was still better then seeing her being beat up and heavily penalised just because of her studies. I spent great effort convincing the parents, finding time to teach her, spending time with her, disciplining her and eventually trying very hard to motivate her. Those were the time where our relationship was strained because I was either too fierce or too demanding. I did not care about her academics but I focus entirely on her moral and character because I believe these are the real assets that will help her succeed in life.
It showed clearly in the Choir coca where she was proactively involved and she surprised every one in the family when she was selected to perform and competes in KL. Although it was a school effort but according to the teacher, she played a major role in the choir and was very encouraged to go.
For a few years, she did not improve much in her studies and I had problem justifying my efforts to the parents. But this year when she started going to the serangoon tuition by a former catholic high teacher and things took a great turn. She became very motivated and disciplined. She wakes up on time and infect early to go for tuition, she did her homework in time and in advance until the teacher have not enough worksheets for her, she stick to her tuition arrangement although it was youth day and she proactively collected tuition fees from her mum without even me probing.
My efforts paid off! My focus in her character building took off and she is becoming a responsible and child with a determination to succeed.
In the entire process, we have grown so close to each other, she is always willing to offer her service to me, she would take things for me , bring me ice water, help me buy food or help me with some chores …
All in all, in this few years, as much as I have seen her growth she is also a witness to the growth of my relationship with Rachel, in our court ship she was there, when we held hands she was there, when we quarrel she was there when romance she was there(some how).
Darling, thank you for always doing thing for me, always sharing jokes with me and always helping me when jie jie is angry with me … Happy 11th birthday.
