Again, I’m going through our photos in an effort to categorize them in both themes and years. They sure bring back memories! Some of them are records of the creative works that I did for you, inspired by you, what you like, or what you need. You have no idea, sweetie, how grateful I am for having the honor to be your mom and how much I appreciate you for being my daughter.  My best creative works are done after you were born. And the creative ideas just kept coming, purely because of the love that I have for you, the love that has no condition, no time limit, no matter what.

Here’s an early creative little piece — changing the story, more accurately, the ending of a story, The Ginger Bread Bear, that as a two year old you found it cruel and couldn’t bear the thought of the ginger bread bear being eaten.  So, I thought, “How do I model turning the table around? How do I empower you, instead of letting you feel victimized?”  Because of this thought, my long forsaken talent started to come back to me. I decided to create and illustrate an alternative ending for you. I asked you, “I’m sorry the ending’s not the best. How would you like the ending to be? How would you like it to happen?”

“The bear will not die! He can turn into a teddy bear lovey!” You said.

“What a splendid idea! Thank you, sweetie!” I answered.

Then when you were at daycare, I started drawing. I was not planning to rip off the original ending — who knows, some day, you might realize that it was simply a cookie and might think it was OK. So I attached my illustrated ending at the end of the book as an alternative.

Turned out, you LOVED it and still do.

After feeling safe about the ginger bread bear having a good alternative future, you started wanting to hear the original ending together with the alternative. You savored both of them. Then one day you told me, “Mommy, I like our ending because that’s NOT an ordinary cookie that’s just a thing. It is ALIVE! No killing things that are alive!”  I embraced you and kissed your forehead, “You got it, baby. You have such a kind heart. Thank you for sharing what you think and how you feel with mommy!”

You loved and still love the whole process of turning a not-so-favorite story into one you like by changing it. You feel empowered by this. You love to own the stories you read by interacting with them on a deeper level. You love to think critically.  Since then, we’ve made revision to a few books here and there, although nothing as major as this one. You learned to read on your own, and you are keeping the great empowerment of being a critical thinker. Both you and I love the active reader that you have become.

What a pleasure and an honor to grow together with you! Thank you!

Love,

Mommy