Petit Shifa 1 - Where are You Baby Thumbkin

Below is a sweet email from one of my best friends, Ita. She sent me stories written by her niece, Shifa. Her email shows her love to her sister, Ana, who currently lives far away from her. Ana's devotion to her husband and child, separates them. Yet, the internet connects them. Nothing to worry indeed.

Enjoy Shifa's stories. Unedited.

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Chris,
My sister - Ana - and her family moved to Kununurra (a small town in Western
Australia) about half a year ago. We were worried how she and her daugther
(Shifa - 6) might cope with the new environment - since Ana's husband is
working in a Mine in a separate town. He comes home every other week - I think.

Therefore, we are so pleased when we receive quite regularly (at least for now)
Ana's email about Shifa is progressing. The following are stories written by
her....


WHERE ARE YOU MR THUMBKIN ?
HERE I AM!
HELLO MR THUMBKIN
WHERE IS MRS THUMBKIN ?
HERE SHE IS
AND WHERE IS BABY THUMBKIN ?
OOH BABY THUMBKIN ?
SAID MR THUMBKIN
YES BABY THUMBKIN
WHERE IS HE ?
I DON?T KNOW WHERE IS HE?
SAID MR THUMBKIN
MR THUMBKIN AROUND HIS HOME.

OOH LITTLE THUMBKIN IS PLAYING WITH HIS FRIEND!!!!!!
BUT WHERE IS BABY THUMBKIN ?
HELLO MOMMY HELLO DADDY
OOH THAT IS YOU LITTLE THUMBKIN
WHERE IS YOUR BABY BROTHER LITTLE THUMBKIN ?
I DON?T KNOW DADDY WHERE IS HE
I DON?T KNOW TOO
SAID MR THUMBKIN.
NOW MRS THUMBKIN, MR THUMBKIN AND LITTLE THUMBKIN
LOOKING FOR BABY THUMBKIN
AND THEN PINKY COME TO THE THUMBKIN?S HOUSE
HELLO THUMBKIN, HELLO PINKY.
I AM LOOKING FOR BABY THUMBKIN.
OOOOOOH
I WILL HELP YOU TO LOOKING FOR BABY THUMBKIN

WHERE ARE YOU BABY THUMBKIN ?
AND THEN POINTER COME TO THUMBKIN?S HOUSE TOO
HELLO THUMBKIN, HELLO PINKY.
HELLO POINTER.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR BABY THUMBKIN
OOOOOOH
I WILL HELP YOU TO LOOKING FOR BABY THUMBKIN.
UHH
WE ARE TIRED. WE CAN NOT DO THIS. WE CAN DRINK.

HELLO EVERYONE, SAID THUMBKIN PINKY AND POINTER
HELLO THUMBKIN, HELLO PINKY, HELLO POINTER SAID TALLER AND RING MAN
EVERYONE, DO YOU KNOW WHERE IS BABY THUMBKIN ?
YES WE KNOW
WHERE IS HE
HE IS IN TALLER?S HOUSE
YES HE IS IN MY HOUSE
SAID TALLER
OYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ! YES??????

DADDY!, I KNOW WHERE IS BABY THUMBKIN SAID LITTLE THUMBKIN
WHERE IS HE !......
WHERE IS HE !......
HE IS IN TALLER?S HOUSE
OYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ???????????.
YES!!!???..
DADDY??..! BABY THUMBKIN???.....!

ACTING NANNY....

During Lebaran Holiday I was trapped in a sweet circle called “best friends’ family holiday”. I spent two nights with Felix’s and Rasdi’s family in Felix’s house. And they spent two nights in my house. To me the idea was I didn’t want to spend the holiday alone. And to them the idea was they had to have a new atmosphere for their children. What a mutual benefit!

Since I was the only one ‘new’ for the kids, they glued to me most of the time. With four kids (Mila, Adi, Jovi, and the sweetest Amadea) on the ground I started acting nanny hahaha…. It’s even more interesting when my brother’s family, Yudhi, joined the circle. Caitlyn, my niece, added my happiness.

I learned a lot through their daily life as parents. Three families with three different parenting styles. Some to be noted down, some to be ignored. Yet, they have something in common to share. Love.

I admire Felix and Christin’s way of raising their kids. They give trust to Jovi, six years old, and Amadea, four years old. Trust that they can survive alone. Can you imagine, they left them alone in a swimming pool; simply because they have strong believe that their kids will take care of each other. Good things to learn for Rasdi and Erna so they gave an opportunity for Mila, six years old, and her five years old brother, Adi, to be as independent as Jovi and Amadea. When I shared this story to my brother, he said… I might not have the gut to leave Caitlyn alone at swimming pool at Amadea’s age. Well… different people different opinion. If I said the same thing to Tina, my sister in law, she might have another different expression.

The holiday ended with a picnic to Taman Buah Mekar Sari, Cileungsi. The weather was very dry and hot. We left the place at about 2 p.m. to take our late lunch at Cibubur area. Then back to my house again to enjoy es buah pinggir jalan.

On top of our happiness, I got a small note prepared by Mila and Jovi signed by all family members, saying how happy they were to spend the holiday together with me. Me too kids… I was very happy to have you and your parents together. I might be the most expensive nanny you ever had hahaha…. Thanks to your parents to give me the opportunity!