Mama, senyum!

There are moments in my motherhood journey that I truly treasure because of the simplicity of the moment. 

"Mama"

"(Se)nyum" 

My baby says, as he rested his back against the wall as in the picture above, requesting me to take a photo. 

I quickly took out my phone to capture the moment. 

I then told him, "Let's wait for Daddy!" and his eyes lit at the mention of his father. I led him out of the big main gates of the apartment (something I've never done with him before) and waited patiently as he made his way to the pedestrian pathway by the road. 

Then, I told him to run. And showed him what I meant. As soon as he realised I wasn't going to restrain him and that he had the freedom to run around to his heart's content, I could see how alive he became at the prospect. 

We ran and ran and took breaks in between for some "education". "Flower", "Leaf", "Semut" and "Plane" were among the things we learned that day. 

From afar, I already saw my husband's car so I asked him, "Can you see Daddy?". And again, his eyes lit and his spirits soared as he ran after his Daddy's car. Just for fun, I told my husband to take him for a ride around the apartment compound and Luqman looked so happy to be strapped to the seat by the seatbelt like he was such an important "man".

I decided to give them a moment together and finished the walk home on my own.

***

When we initially got home from work before all of the above took place, I was actually tempted to persuade Luqman to give his playground session a miss for that day. 

I had a pile of laundry to do and had planned on making dinner plus I thought it would be nice to settle down early that night. 

But, I didn't. 

I decided that it was okay for me to oblige his simple wish for some playtime with me during that small window between after work and Maghrib, notwithstanding all the above that I had planned to do. That day, I decided that all else can wait. 

And honest to God, if anyone asks me if I would have done things differently on that day, I would say that I would do the same thing again and again and again if I could. 

I may not have understood a word he said as he was (I assume) telling me about his day while we were trekking the apartment compound together on that day, but he was really glad I was listening and responding, despite not understanding. I could sense how happy he was.

If I could do it again, I would because I love that look on his face as he marveled at everything around us; the rocks, the sticks, the insects, the sky and the cars that passed us by. 

If I could do it again, I would because I think that was one of the most enjoyable days we've had, in such a short period of time, doing absolutely nothing of real significance or importance or "milestone unlocking" or "Insta-worthy". 

There was just me, him, his Daddy and the elements that a beautiful day could offer.

And the best part is that not only did the day go on as planned (I managed the laundry later, cooked dinner and yes, we settled down very early since Luqman was tired from his outdoor activities and fell asleep as soon as he was done with dinner), it turned out better. 

 It has been a week since we last managed to do anything similar and he's had to give his playtime a miss everyday now, as I have been held back late at work everyday since. Some nights, when I come home, he's already asleep and I whisper my apologies to him for not being able to be there. 

And because of that, I am even more glad that that day went as it did, as I now have memories (and lovely photos) of what a great day we had and a reminder of how the best things in life are free.