Yesterday was our first time attempting to take part in a community service event, i.e. volunteering. I say “attempt”, because it was all pretty sudden and mama was almost as clueless as you in what to expect (especially of us) during such an event.

It all started a few years back ago actually, way before you were born. Mama has a longtime friend called Auntie Cherry, and back then, mama saw that even Auntie Cherry’s young child could help out in various volunteering events. Mama felt it was a very good and gentle way of introducing the concept of a larger community to my future kids (you!). To slowly bring awareness that there is more to the world than just yourself and the family & friends you meet most often. And now that you’re a toddler-turned-preschooler, you are definitely capable of doing and even understanding simple acts of kindness, even if it’s just packing stuff into goodie bags! Or in our case this time, handing toys and cakes to the elderly.

Mama hadn’t thought too much of your “tender” age; it was only after Auntie Waty and Auntie Cherry commented that you were doing/did well, that it hit me to appreciate you better for who you are =) That you held up pretty well, readily giving out the soft toys to the ah gongs and ah mas there (2.5 floors out of 4). Not fussing that you wanted any of them for yourself. All mama had done was to just verbally pre-empt you for this event, saying that we would be going to a home for some elderly, and giving out cakes to them. Mama witnessed how some of them brightened up visibly even with just this minimal interaction. And despite being spooked by an elderly lady who kept going after you (as she found you cute and wanted to interact with you more), no meltdowns from you – you just hid behind me, albeit a little panicky. I suppose this “scary ah ma” will be one of your core memories from this event hahaha…

Mama is thankful for this impromptu volunteering opportunity – the idea was reignited in mama’s tired brain when mama’s other mama friends were thinking about what meaningful things they could do with their children. So mama went back to Auntie Cherry to ask about the whats and hows. When Auntie Cherry proposed this opportunity, mama agreed without thinking too much, as it seemed relatively simple and small-scale. Mama is also in awe of Auntie Waty sponsoring all those cute and sweet soft toys. We only sponsored two small boxes of cakes! Thought we would be handing out the cakes, but ended up helping to hand out the stuffed toys instead (big thank you to Auntie Waty for being so generous), as the staff preferred to distribute the cakes themselves later on.

Looking forward to participating in more of such opportunities with you, my dear girl~ Every step, no matter how small, is a step nonetheless =)