My Own Precious Four,
The air felt chill and brisk as I headed to the local dairy bar with 'two in tow,' for one last treat before school officially begins on Tuesday. One had an English Toffee Milkshake and the other tried her luck with the Nutty Chocolate Dip. We watched the server hold the decadent cone of cold, creamy ice cream smothered in nuts and dripping, rich chocolate, gripping it upside down, so as to let the excess drip off into the bowl underneath. It came to you with a hardened shell of chocolate shellac. Prime real estate for little girls with eyes bigger than their tummies.
We drove home contented tonight, bellies full, hearts tender.
Did you know on the other side of the world there lived two little boys, who up until mere days ago, craved as their favorite treat a half a banana? Their father would purchase one banana which he would split between the pair. One half for Alan and the other for Galib. Perhaps, my loves, they ate it like candy -- just like you with your creamy dairy bar treats.
We came into our house, shivering with the temperature drop of dusk and flicked a switch. Behold! Light flooded the kitchen, welcoming and warm. One of you played with toys we had earlier retrieved from the basement...toys which we should really get rid of (through one method or another) as your toy bins and cubbies overflow with trinkets and gadgets galore. But you pleaded for them to stay, and I acquiesced. You spent a lovely half hour chatting with your newfound furry friends, who had been beforehand lonesome for company due to all that time spent waiting for you in the dark recesses of our bottom level.
Did you know that Galib, who was five, would have done just about anything to get his heart's desire: a shiny, new bike. He just recently asked his aunt: "Auntie, can you buy me a bicycle?," because all he ever wanted was to run and play and explore like all the other kids. Having extra would never even have registered in Galib's mind. Because having just one would surely have been more than he could imagine.
I went back down to the basement after making steaming cups of tea for your Daddy and I...with one more saved for your older brother. One of you asked for sips of my fragrant brew (flavoured with sugar and milk), stating that it was "mmmm...my favorite kind". I savoured mine while sorting through all our extras in the basement that we plan to sell in the yard sale tomorrow. I had you try on skates that were too small until we found just the right fit from our burgeoning stash saved for figure skating lessons upcoming in October. We placed the near dozen extra pairs in a bin. Because we just don't need them anymore.
Did you know that Little Alan, who was three, wore little black shoes? That he favoured red t-shirts and shorts on the last voyage he would ever take? Did you know that his eyes sparkled when he smiled? That he was so loved...just like you are, my loves. Just like you are.
It is quiet now. The children all settled, candles both blown out. But I can still smell the aromatic scent of "good cheer, golden apples and spice" laden heavy in the air of our kitchen. It is almost stifling, this sweetness and beauty. It smothers my senses. For in my heart I know that there are others for whom good cheer will not be reality. Not now. Perhaps not ever.
There are precious others in this world who have never seen "a good life at all" nor will they this side of eternity.
We have so much. And yet we understand the bounty of that 'much', so very little.
My dear Children, do you know how loved you are? And did you know that because you are so loved, you must also love others? Must love them with that same intensity with which you have received? Love requires we watch and listen. Love requires sometimes we cry. It also demands action. We must love, for we are loved ourselves. We must care because we have known care in ways that defy understanding.
We know love. We must find it within our hearts to also give it, one small act of hope and justice at a time.
My dear Four: Alan and Galib are gone, their souls departed. But we have their footsteps to trace. These tiny tracks leave a legacy of love. A legacy of hope and possibility. For Alan and Galib are Love's Ambassadors. And so are we, my loves. So are we.
I love you so. So then, I say to you: "Love one another."
Always and Forever,
Your Mama
Editor's Note: The boys' aunt told The Canadian Press the boys' names are Alan, and not Aylan, and Galib, not Galip, as originally released by the Turkish government.
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