MY LITTLE-BUT-BIG HERO

A couple of days ago, I went to the dentist for tooth filling. My 5-year-old son, who pretty much goes wherever I go, went along. With four books and a toy race car to entertain him while I get my tooth fixed, he was all set. We always pray every time we leave the house, and that day, I prayed for my dental procedure, particularly for it to not be "too painful" for me.

So there we were at the dentist -- me, being prepped on the dental chair, and my son, sitting right by my feet on a folding chair and was keeping himself busy with books. The dental assistant immediately applied topical anesthetic to numb my gums, and soon after, the dentist came in the room. He struck a conversation with my son before looking into my mouth. My son, being the natural inquisitive he is, got all curious with the "cool tools" the dentist was using.  He then got up from his chair and went closer to see, and asked the dentist a few questions. After answering and explaining things, the dentist then began injecting local anesthesia into my gums. I flinched and squirmed. It was a lot painful than I expected. My suppressed groans did not escape my little boy's attention. "Mom, breathe in, breathe out..." The dentist informed me that the injection was the hardest part of the procedure, and hearing that somewhat gave me relief. When the dentist and his assistant left the room as they waited for the anesthetic to take effect, my son thoughtfully asked me, "Are you feeling better now?", thinking that the procedure was all done.

After a few minutes, the dentist came back and started working on my tooth. For some reason, I was still sensitive to pain, which prompted a a second dose of local anesthesia. After a short while, the dentist started removing the old filling, but again, there was still pain. My mouth just wasn't numb enough! He injected another dose of local anesthesia for the third time. I then felt pain from the injection radiating to my ear that time which honestly scared me. Thoughts of complications started to form in my mind, and so I thought of God and said a quick prayer as I sat there on the dental chair. At that time, anxiety was slowly building up in me. I was so tempted to call my husband and ask him to come to the dental clinic and be there with me for the procedure, but I know he's quite busy himself at his clinic, so I didn't. "Just breathe in, breathe out..." Those words that my 5-year-old son kept repeating gave me the courage I badly needed that time.

The third dose of anesthesia kicked in, and though my tooth was still itty-bitty sensitive, the dentist was finally able to begin working on my tooth. With my eyes tightly closed for the entire procedure, the greatest comfort came from my son's tiny hand and little voice. I felt him moved and sit on the chair with me, and he gently grabbed my hand, "Just hold tight, Mom... breathe in, breathe out..." With every squirm, I squeezed his hand and he squeezed back, holding my hand tightly, until the procedure was done.

The staff was so impressed with how supportive my son was to me. They commended him for doing a great job and kept "Mommy from crying," and rewarded him a couple of toys after the visit. My son continued to check on me, asking me if I was okay, even later when we're already home.

I was immensely touched by my son's calm and caring attitude. God knew that this day would come when I would need a boost of courage, an extra dose of bravery, comfort amidst pain, and He thought I would get those best from a tiny hand... a little voice... and so, He gave me a son. I felt in my heart that some day in the future, when I'm all frail and weak, my son will hold my hand and comfort me the way he did at the dentist clinic. I'm very proud of my son, and truly thankful to him, for being my little-but-big hero.

Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
May 2018

SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE

It's the second day of new year, and here I am wide awake at 3ish in the morning. Nothing has changed. Still the old night owl me. Anyway, I was browsing my Facebook, looking at pictures from the year that has just passed, when I stumbled upon this article about a guy who live tweeted a love story that had unfolded before his eyes while in a cafe. A girl barista professed her love to a coworker. The coworker said he needs to go to the back to think about what to say. He came back and kissed the girl. Serious mushiness followed after. Long story short, they found love and happiness that night. That's two less lonely people in the world. Needless to say, the hopeless romantic (emotera) in me kicked in and nostalgia took me back to my own love story like it's yesterday once more. (Pardon my song references. I'm classic that way.)

Six days before Christmas eight years ago when my happy ever after began. A blizzard in Toronto brought me and Vince together. Yeah, mother nature had a part in it. From the time we first met to that fateful day, action had always spoken louder than words for us. We kissed on that snowy night, and when the storm had passed after a day or two, we talked about what had happened. It was hard for both of us to admit our feelings towards each other but to deny it was even harder. We weren't newbies in this game called love. He played his cards. I took a gamble. All is fair in love so they say. About a couple of years since our first kiss amidst the snow storm, we held hands and kissed in the altar and vowed to be each other's in this lifetime. Signed. Sealed. Done deal.

Grand Canyon West Rim Eagle Point, Arizona - November 2015 

We've been married for six years now. Not very long you may think but in this day and time when nobody stays together anymore (tell me what's forever for?), staying married is an achievement. I'm very happy and thankful for the kind of relationship my husband and I have. Our love for each other has never diminished and continues to grow each day, albeit our dynamics have changed a lot since we had a child. I love my son to bits and more but having a child was definitely a game changer, and I'm sure a lot of parents would agree with me on this. Honestly, at times, it's hard for me not to miss our pre-married days, our newlywed days, and our childless days. You know, those years when it was just the two of us... when we could have a quiet intimate moment at the end of the day... when we could bond and connect uninterruptedly for as long as we wished. Every now and then, I long for those and would draw from memory to relive those days. Now that we have a child to care for, it's just a challenge to find a chance to be alone as a couple, let alone do the things we used to do in the past.

About two weeks ago, Vince was on call at work. One night, we were all in bed -- my son and me on one mattress and Vince on another mattress right by our feet. I was the only one awake as usual when Vince's phone started to ring in the wee hours. It was the hospital calling. He picked up the phone and answered it in the bathroom so as not to awaken me and my son (well, I was still awake then). From our bedroom, I could hear him talking on the phone, asking questions, and giving orders. I dunno but for some reason at that moment I felt giddy inside me. It could be his muffled I-just-woke-up voice (which I find ehem sexy!), his inflection and intonation, or mainly his intellect that got me smitten all over again like a high school girl. I delighted myself in that moment realizing how in love I am with my husband that at the least moment when he was totally unaware, he made my heart skip a beat or two.

It's so easy to fall in love with someone who is a genuinely caring, loving and thoughtful person. My husband is. He brings me flowers and chocolate-coated strawberries, and all the makings of a sweet guy that could melt any woman's heart. So, when butterflies flutter in my stomach at the least expected and unromantic time of the day and I gush over my unknowingly husband, that's how I know I am STILL head over heels in love with the man of my life. We may not be the childless-couple-in-a-forever-honeymoon-phase anymore BUT the passion is still there. The flame is still well alive and burning. Regardless. Nothing has changed. The same old familiar feeling I felt when I first realized that I am in love with him. ❤❤❤

San Francisco - October 2016

Hambricks Christmas Tree Farm, Georgia - December 2016