We had been going out quite a bit these 2 days, to friends’ house and to the zoo. Even so, there are times when Mal feels down.

We were playing cooking in the backyard and had just talked to Daddy on the phone. I noticed Mal sitting on the swing staring blankly.
I asked “What are you thinking??”
silence
“Do you miss daddy”
He turned to me choking back tears
“Yes, I miss daddy”
“Is daddy coming home tonite?”
I replied “No, daddy is coming back in 2 weeks’ time”
“I want daddy to come back faster”
“I miss daddy, I feel sad”
“I am sad, I am very sad….”
“Mummy can you make me happy”

When I asked him whether he wants to call daddy and tell him how he feels, I was surprised that he said NO. I wondered why not. Maybe it’s not so cool to tell Daddy all these.

I went on asking him what can make him happy…plucking cilantro for the porridge?? mope…

Finally we settled for his favourite Barney movie. When he woke up this morning, I asked him again “Are you happy?”
“Yes, becoz I watched my Barney show last nite!”