Last Sunday, Stephen came home from church with a swollen index finger. There was an open wound on his finger. Then he came down with fever for the day and next. He was very quiet and hardly cry at all even though the wound was big & deep. Now, the wound has dried up and he's feeling much better.

I'm trying to "negotiate" with Stephen on his insistence to always want me to carry him from ground floor to our home on the 4th floor. At ground level, when Stephen shows signs of wanting me to carry him, I would tell him that I would carry him when we are at the 4th floor. Then I would point at the sign that reads "1st floor". Usually he would whine and struggle along the way but I would try to encourage him to "hang on" by pointing at the signs on different levels as we make our way up. Then finally for his good behaviour (i.e. to walk up the floors ), he would be carried by his "great favourite" i.e. me at the 4th floor or course! Even though our journey up the stairs is sometimes like tug of war but I'm happy that my goal is met. :)

Today we did something different from the tug of war "thingy" as we climbed up the stairs. It was raining so heavily in the afternoon that the floors are all wet. Stephen stretched out his arms and wanted me to carry him. This time, I thought, I could carry him in case he slip and hurt himself. It was a very sweet journey for us. As I climb up the stairs with him in my arms, he gave me many kisses and smiles. Especially when I said, "You're a heavy boy and mama needs encouragement to carry you", he'll bless me with his kisses. A very blessed time together with Stephen indeed.

Stephen has taught me many lessons. I learn to stretch myself a little more in loving, accepting, accomodating, playing, keep trying, trusting, praying, making adjustments, ... so much more. Perhaps I am the greatest beneficiary!

Sometimes I would talk to Deborah about the adjustments that we need to make and perhaps we should "have another boy XXX as Deborah's brother instead of Stephen". But she would always say "no". These days, she would also add in "don't tease me about this". She actually knows that I tease her... quite funny I thought. Really thank God for Deborah's presence in our family. She's really really our angel because she would often surprise us with her understanding and sense of things which happen. And it's pretty acute at times.

Last Saturday, we had a good time at the playground in the morning and at the beach in the evening. We played on the swings and see-saws. Stephen was so relaxed and happy when we played with him at the playground. At the beach, he sat on his pram quietly as I talked to him about the surrounding. Daniel and Deborah made sandcastles and both of them dug a big hole to put Deborah in it. Also, Daniel and Deborah interacted with an autistic girl and her mother while they were playing with sand. It was good fun for us all. And not to forget, there are many more "Stephens" are there who are also trying to have a relaxing good time. So, let's be mindful of how we can use concrete actions in showing that we care as we stretch ourselves a little more from being mere empathetic.