An Angel Had Watched

I hide my face behind my hair,

Like Violet Parr –

Except when the wind makes it fly.

I put foundation on my nose and

Above my upper lip and,

A bandage under my eye;

And feel the rawness of my wounds.

My muscles ache,

My knees and elbow pain.

I cringed watching Ben Stiller

Going downhill on a road in Iceland 

On the skateboard – fast.

I will my flashback away,

And remind myself

I am safe –

An angel had watched over me.

Collage #13

Mama thinks I’m cute

Dada thinks she’s right

I’m a happy guy

There’s nothing to cry

I love to run about

To explore the world around

Everything brings new wonders

From walking sticks to waterspouts

I’m never a trouble

Except when things go wobbled

As when I’m held tight

When the urge to run is high

Or when I want more

Of what only mama can provide

But she must take a while

Before I can be satisfied

Oh the games that I play

Could be fierce or mild

I love making dragon roars

And hearing the cats score 

Grandma Bà loves me so

So does Grandpa Ông

They have to fly an airplane

From a faraway land

To watch me in play

And adore me in sleep

An angel I do make

Till I wake again

Bliss - 100-word snippet

Another snippet of my life that is as current as current can be.

We flew to Austin. My daughter picked us up at the airport. As I poked my head in the car and said hi, he squirmed and cried. After putting away our luggage, I came sit next to him. I gave him a piece of cherrios, he angrily yanked it away and dropped it. But he must have remembered the many times we were on skype together, he smiled and gently took another piece of cherrios. I listened to him talk and responded as if I understood. We looked through books and laughed together. Bliss is being with your fifteen-month-old grandson.

Ugly Duckling

This is a snippet of my life, the first in a series inspired by Reader's Digest 100-word story challenge.

When I was about five years old, I was sent to stay with a relative to avoid catching my brother’s mumps. Auntie took care of me. Being a shy and awkward girl, I responded to questions by lowering my eyelids for yes. Now auntie and I are living in different countries, but I always remember her kindness to me. When auntie visited the USA several years ago, I came to see her. Auntie could not believe the way I had turned out, from an “ugly duckling” of a shy little girl to a confident woman who can hold a conversation.