eight, 10 and 12 years of love

just as sex and the city was meant to be about two loves: men and new york city - today's post is going to be about two of my men and hong kong. (left: kids in wanchai market on sunday night... shopkeeper watches from inside.)

my alarm woke me up this morning at 5.30. charles encouraged me to stay in bed. it had been a late night and we have so much to talk about, which is such a good thing. i turned off the alarm, went and did a wee, and went back to bed. ten minutes later, my alarm chirped out its reminder: 5.40 run - pfl. i got out of bed, drank a 880 mls of water, got dressed and headed out the door.

i was late getting out, and i had a lot to do before 8am, so i knew it had to be a short run.

so - i set out at 5.45. slow slow slow. but steady. and i looked at my watch right before i left the flat and realised, eight years ago i was lying in bed, appalled with myself because i thought i had peed the bed. the baby wasn;t due for two weeks - of course i wasn't in labour!

i kept running. it was still dark. and so very quiet. only a few people keeping each other company this morning. i got to the top of the peak. realised i was just meters away from where we called my mum all those years ago...

"we're on our way to the hospital"

"but why?"

"sebastian's coming"

and i kept running.

remembering walking down the hill i had just finished climbing with my tiny boy strapped to my throbbing chest. (for some reason charles and i decided to walk 4km home from the hospital). all those years ago. (left: sebastian holds his bag of birthday presents, wrapped and presented to him entirely in re-usable cloth shopping bags... it's what he would have wanted!)

i ran along harlech road which gives a magnificent view of the hong kong skyline. how i have loved this city. i fell in love here. i was a smitten adult, a newlywed, a new mother, a woman faced with the potential death of three of her children here. on this soil my kids took their steps, had their shoes shined, their hair stroked for good luck. recognised me. my husband and i recognised God. my husband proposed on these shores. i have loved this city for 12 long years. i have only known marriage and motherhood here. how could i not love hong kong, for all the joy and emotions i have experienced here? (left: celebrating sebastian's birthday at home.)

i kept running. small quick steps. flat. looked down at wanchai below and smiled. (left: triplets waiting for seb to open his presents; playing with the speed stackers.)

yesterday afternoon sandi and cliff came to visit. after they left, we decided to go to wanchai to browse through the markets. this is not the sort of thing that charles normally does. but he agreed, and what a wonderful time we had. each child got to select one Christmas ornament, and we also picked up some Christmas presents on the sly. the shops were chockers with ornaments, all fantastically priced!(below: one of the christmas stores in the wanchai market... crazy packed and busy!)

we also managed to nab a couple of tops for the boys. we walked through wet markets, and the kids were fascinated as they watched the fish flopping about. sebastian was close to tears as he watched a fish flop around in 1cm of water and then eventually and inevitably stop....asking "why did they take it out of the water? why did it have to die?" and the girls were disgusted with the valves in a freshly dissected fish body that were still pumping. (left: the fish market. seb sports his new "panama" from cliff & sandi!)

it was wonderful. i love them, i love this world they can experience.

happy birthday sebastian.

happy belated 10th anniversary charles, and happy belated 12 anniversary hong kong. you three have changed me and taught me so much. i will never get bored of you.

Comments

[Mo aka Maureen aka Grandmother aka Mum]

Poignant memories, Tess. LOVE the photos! And, most importantly, Happy Birthday, Seb. We love you. (Check your e-mails, Seb).

M xox

[Winnie Koo]

Tess, glad to meet u in 2004, with the Terrific Trio. Let me see the grace from God and the faith that ur family had! wow! all the kids grew up!
Happy Birthday, Seb!
winnie

[Auntie Pammie]

The tears are flowing into my Mini-wheats as I read your blog. What a beautiful tribute to your son, husband and your city you call home.
I still remember the day that Sebbie came to us on this world and how much he touched our hearts. One of my most fond memories of Seb, is when I came to visit you all when he was 3 months old, and I would get up with him in the morning and give him his bottle. He and I used to stand at the living room window and watch the ships go by as he drank his milk.... That was such a beautiful memory for me!!
Please give him a HUGE hug from his Auntie, Uncle and cousin in Edmonton !!!! xoxoxoo

[BoBB]

Happy Birthday Seb. I hope that you have a wonderful day with your family and friends. Love always Bobb

[Lucy]

Happy Birthday Sebastian, I can't believe you're 8!!! Time is marching on way too fast.
Lots of love to you all,
Lucy

[Dad aka GDad Blake]

Sebbie. You really are growing UP. Each time I see you you are taller! The Fintry Duck on the dock said he can hardly wait to see you next summer. He thinks you are a great guy.
Love to all....GDad.....Blake

[tripleblessings]

Happy birthday to Sebastian! And thank you Tess for sharing all these photos and memories. I love the pictures in the market, and the cup stacking - might be a fun thing for our family!
It's been a while since I dropped by, and it's remarkable to see how everyone has grown up in the past year or so. We can see stronger resemblances to Tess and Charles in each face. And such long legs on the trio sitting on the red sofa - great picture!
best wishes to you all...

[Jill]

Happy Birthday Seb! You are growing up into such a wonderful young man!

[Boulder]

Happy Birthday Seb! Happy (belated) Anniversary tess & MC!

tess, you look *so* beautiful & happy in these photos - it makes my heart soar to see that. And I cannot believe how grown-up your kids are becoming. They are all so sweet & lovely.

Thank you for sharing!

xoxo

[Charles (not a monkey waiting for the bus)]

It's us who will never be bored of you... you are the delights and discoveries of a market unto yourself in our eyes.

[Denby]

Goodness - look how tall Jasper is! I hope you still have that photo of him and Shae waltzing at their tea party as we may have to recreate it next year!! Thank you for reminding me of why I love Hong Kong too and feel like I'm coming home.

And happy birthday Seb.

Dx

[Odila Braga]

Tess, I beautiful tribute to HK, this wonderful city you call home!
Love and blessings,
Odila

[Shower Stall]

Happy Birthday Sebastian, I can't believe you're 8!!! Your getting too big
-Bobby