ADAMSONIAN

We woke up today at eight. Considering that I worked last night till 2am, it was not such a welcome treat. Reluctantly I got to the shower and prepared for church. At the back of my head I was wishing I would not go. But then again, this is the same thought every week, part of the struggles you have to win to spend time with Christ.

In the car we have to remind the kids how to behave, as we do every week. Church seems like an unwelcoming place for kids. Ironic since Christ said let the children come to me. We just dont want to disturb other churchgoers and so their behavior has to be kept in check. And with kids like mine, reminding them every time seems to be a requirement.The Gospel was about loving one another as Christ loved us. Listening to the 15 minute sermon was always a task. The priest can’t get hold of the message and drive the point to heart. The thing about love was very specific and yet very broad. It was clear and yet hard to understand. That was what I got from it. Every now and then I have to keep the boys from moving too much. Yes, I can’t wait for the service to be over. 

Got through church fine..the youngest asking whether he behaved. He wants to know if he can get a reward. We have to bribe them to keep still and just wait for church to be over. They dont know what goes on yet inside the service. For most adults I guess its’ the same, the service is over before they could get their thoughts on to praying.

Went home quick and packed stuff for the beach. It is a 90 degree weekend and a perfect time to go out and tan. Not that we need it. We have to remind ourselves we are Asians. Tediously, we have to make sure everything is set. The two are arguing again. What to wear..what to bring. Was it as complicated as this when I was a kid? Every five seconds I or my wife, have to tell either one of the boys to do this and that…and not to do this and that. They were just pretty excited with the thought of going, we guess, that they can’t keep calm.

The waves were grand as the kids ran back and forth towards it and then away from it. It was icy cold and numbing to the feet. But the sun was scorching and our backs were itchy and dry. The two were having a blast. I have to stay ten feet away in case the current drags them to open sea. A splash ripped through the clear sand and reached the two knee-deep. They hollered.

Time to eat. Wifey finished the barbeque. It was another task just to feed them. We have to remind them how lucky they are that they are not starving. I am sure by now they know what Africa represents. Next time they would be smart enough to quip back and say, “We can’t bring these food to Africa.”

Played ball afterwards. Ran again to the beach to play. The two met a burly eight year old with his mother playing tag with the waves. It wasn’t long before my wife was conversing with the other parent and I was left to watch the kids. I have the same old role, so has she. About a minute ago they were strangers and then the next they were talking about the divorce that the newcomer is undergoing. Women..they just have to open up and pour it out. My wife is a good listener. But make no mistake…she is quite a talker herself.

Getting burned up in the heat real fast, we decided to quit the beach and go to the clubhouse where we previously lived. We still have the keys to the pool. With sand on their butts the two happily recalled getting “smashed” by the waves and was looking forward to swimming decently. We enrolled them to classes and paid heavily just so they can tire themselves in the water. They love it. Another hour, and I am beat. The day is almost halfway through and I have not had a single moment to myself. There are times, for a split second, when I would wish nobody would call me or depend on me. And then reality will hit me back and keep me grounded, the list of chores and things to do glaring me at the face.

But my wife is kind enough to let me sleep after we got home. I needed that. There is only one vice I have at the moment that I cannot over indulge enough, sleep. My source of balance. The thing that restores my sanity and keeps my emotions in place. After three hours, driven by the occasional nudge I got to ask me to play with the kids, I finally dragged myself. All that time I was out, they were playing the Gamecube. An effective babysitter, it does have its’ shortcomings as a precursor to arguments and ill feelings. But I guess the reason why we let them play computer games is so we, the parents, can have time to rest. Such horrendous motives, I know, yet justified believe me. The kids were quick to shut the TV off when I said I wanted to play Monopoly. All they really want was something to do. And so they counted their cash and bought properties and built houses. I got sent to jail two times. It meant missing turns for three rounds and that gave me a chance to make my coffee. I had my coffee thanks to jail time. I have to hold myself quiet as I was almost about to say that I enjoyed my jail break. You do not know what it might mean to the kids.

Finally, dinner. Settling down nice and quite now. We decided not to have the “tabled” family dinner and instead had the “one plate for all” type. With the TV on, each one take turns scooping rice and barbeque, shoveling it to their mouths. No more cooking either..we still have leftovers from today’s picnic.

The kids tuned out at 9pm. Without an afternoon nap, they were quick to leave for dreamland. But after all that play, it will be a dreamless sleep.