“Would you like to make your child happy?
Then get off work early today.
Wait for your child in front of school.
Horse around together in the playground.
Let your child choose where to go for dinner.
And shower your child with your loving attention.
On your way home, pick up ice cream for the family.
Your child will remember this day forever.”
_ Haemin Sunum, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down.
That’s correct. I had some forever memories like that, even though my mind is pretty blurry since I’m getting older. There was a day my Mom made stir-fried blue crabs with garlic for lunch, for a long time since the last time she made it. It became the highlight of my childhood memories. Yet I love “highlighting,” as you can see in my books, lol, some more moments that lighten up my old times, but garlic stir-fried blue crabs for lunch after school was a phenomenon. I have no idea whether my mom did that because she wanted to surprise my dad and me or because the fresh blue crabs inspired her at the wet market on her way home from the hospital. It might be because she felt delighted that day and wanted to do something different. Or it could be because it was the payday.
But you know what, Mom? You made my day that day; I could never forget that noon. Stir-fried blue crabs with garlic have become my favorite dish because of you, no matter its taste.
