Saying goodbye

I picked up my bags and made my way to the high speed station. The visit home is ending soon.

The days here felt much longer than before, and there were moments I was agitated, even bored and hoping that I could go home soon. Even at the monastery in the mountains, I felt so impatient and disturbed, much more than before.

My brother and his family came to visit me two days ago, and together we journeyed to our parents' hometown to see relatives. It's been beautiful seeing my nephew and spending time with my immediate family.

I learned how smart and perceptive my nephew was. The other day from an auntie. Last week, when I went to visit my parents' resting place, I broke down and could not stop my tears. I didn't realise my nephew saw that. When the auntie asked what he did that day. "Did uncle take you out to play?" he said "shhhh, I'll tell you something. Uncle..." And he rubbed  his fists around his eyes, to simulate someone crying. That someone was me. It was some surprising, and heartwarming to hear that story recounted.

It really has been great spending some time with my nephew, and the past two days went by quicker. We went to the night market together, and he became so excited playing games from my childhood... Pinball machines, fishing for rubber duckies, bumper cars... Exciting games that fillled his eyes with joy, and at the end of which filled his hands with toys. I rode bumper cars with him, as he is still too little, and I sat behind him as I turned the steering wheel round and round. He wanted to play again and again, and in the end we stayed at the night market close to two hours just letting him play different games. And reliving childhood memories. My brother and his wife also smiling and laughing seeing how excited their son was. I bought him a nice school bag (a nice red "Cars" backpack....he's going to pre school later this year)