Something that really amazes me is how even amidst scarcity, children have the incredible capacity to create, to revel, to flourish.
When I think of what we left behind and what we have, I sometimes feel guilty that we don’t have the same access to books or toys that people do back in Singapore.
Here, the nearest proper book store is two hours away, and they come at a price. Toys are very limited.
Yet, the kids still find fresh ways to play with old toys we brought from Singapore.
Though we left a beautiful kitchen set gifted to us by our neighbors in Singapore, I found my 8-yr old using a small whiteboard to draw her own stove and grill to play a chef at a restaurant.
And today, when they felt ill and I realized I’m really at the tail end of any stash of things to occupy them with from Singapore, I realized I had this little safari set a friend from UK had brought back for us some time ago.
I gifted them the different parts of the set over several months, to ration it. I had just a few items left today.
When we need to ration books and toys, everything feels so much more cherished.
I’m so grateful— to witness their attitude of joy and revelling. Through their eyes, I never see lack.
