My parents-in-law were kind enough to help out during my first few weeks after giving birth, by babysitting Joel and Ezra for a couple of weeks. To help us adjust to our newest addition, they offered to care for Joel for another couple of months. The catch? Joel will have to follow them to Sandakan for the whole duration. That’s hundreds of miles away!

It wasn’t easy for me to decide, but it wasn’t so hard, either. It reminded me of my economics class, specifically on opportunity cost, i.e. the cost of sacrificing one need in order to satisfy another need (or at least that’s what I remember it loosely defined as). I know that I will miss Joel like crazy as in weeping daily thinking about adorable little jovial him. I also realize, though, that I needed the time and energy to recuperate from all those physical, emotional and mental roller coaster after delivery. I would also save on daycare expenses while he’s on vacation, which is good in a way

Gratefully, yet heavy-heartedly, I agreed, while mentioning to my in laws that I am going to miss Joel dearly until he returns. They understood. The last I heard from Joel, he was jumping up and down at his uncle Jason’s house en route to Sandakan. Didn’t bother him one bit that he wasn’t at home with mommy and daddy. I’m OK with it.

Joel and his ah-kung (grandpa) and ah-po (grandma) will come back around September, just in time for the Aidilfitri (Eid) holidays. I can’t wait to see him again.

See you soon, dearest Joel! Mommy and Daddy and Eric miss you!