My aunt released four of us at a corner of Knott’s Berry Farm and never forgot to remind us “Have fun, okay!”. That was such a sweet reminder of a dedicated mom who is willing to go get food and do whatever for her kids to have great moments in life.
She is a stay-at-home mom of three daughters, a full time and a very caring one. She usually jokes that she is always busy with tasks that have no name. I admire her dedication to provide her kids everything they need from little stuff such as finding an object, getting a toy, watching a TV show, learning a language, buying a new cloth, going to church, to a bigger thing such as having a good education. During the day she is a ‘free uber’ and at home, she is a ‘free cook’. Along the way, she shares with them wisdom she has collected and the right thing to do in certain situations.
All she cares and shares is love, everything surrounds it. She cooks with love, talks with love, and cares with love. I remember one night I was coughing due to my throat and she woke up in the middle of the night to give me some oil. She said that she was freaked out to hear someone cough. I was so touched at that moment, she took care of me as if I were her child.
That day was the first day of Thanksgiving week, she took her kids who are my cousins and me to the museum park. I had not been to a theme park for over five years so I was both excited and nervous. The rides looked super scary yet promised lots of fun. Because of holiday, the lines for food or for ride were so long. My cousins dragged me here and there to join them with the rides, the ones that they described as “fun and relaxing” yet later on I only found the first part true.
Waiting in the line, I felt a sense of urgency to get out since I was one in several adults who do not have kids and do not come with friends. In the meantime, I felt being a kid again, with a sense of wonder, freedom, and joy. I realized that life is not as scary and as fast as a roller coaster although it can be challenging and adventurous sometimes. Life is indeed a journey, a meaningful one, with a good mix of ups and downs.
We started the day very low in which everyone was a bit tired waiting for me to finish my work before going, yet we finished at a great note by getting some souvenirs at the gift store. We all had tons of fun with roller coasters, super creams, tacos, sprite, orange chicken, funnel cake, and ice cream. Although we got home tired, all the memories will be there, for a long time, if not forever.
A big thank to my aunt, my cousins, and Knott’s Berry Farm!
