Everything Happens For a Reason, Real Life Characters
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REAL LIFE CHARACTERS
Though many of you may think that it’s unimportant or unnecessary, I’d like to introduce the 2 children whose characters are portrayed as Jung Moonbin and Jung Min Yong in this story. They are two extraordinary children, and I want my readers to get to know them better in real life, more than just fictional characters.
JUNG MOONBIN - GABRIEL RAPHAEL AQUILA TOMBENG
Gabriel is my Godson and was born in May 14, 2006. He called me Mommy ever since he could speak, and when he was younger he always fell asleep everytime I carried & held him in my arms - thus my nickname of ‘King Koil Mommy’. But since his 4th birthday last year he wouldn’t even let me kiss him T____T He grew up so fast!
I always considered Gabriel a mature child. When he was 3 years old, I took him out for dinner without his parents. When I offered him some ice cream, he told me, “Mommy, I have flu and cough so Mama didn’t allow me to eat ice cream until I’m healthy again.” Other kids would gladly take my offer and could care less to what their parents say, they didn’t see them anyway. But not Gabriel. He remembered what his mother told him and he listened well.
His sister Maurel was born on July 28 last year. When his mom was carrying her, he took good care of his Mom because she had his baby sister inside her tummy. When I took him to a supermarket and offered him snacks, he would ask for, “Something that Mama and baby can eat too, Mommy!” Aish, he never failed to make me loved him more… except when he’s playing with his BFF, Aron! They became brats! Just look at the picture of the three of us! But he really loved his baby sister and also cared for her… he never stopped holding and kissing her at home.
My fondest memory was of his 4th birthday last year. A week before his birthday, I didn’t see him running after me in church and was about to cross the street to where I parked my car when I heard him shouting, “Mommy! Mommy, don’t you hear me? Mommy!” I almost had a heart attack cause he was so close to the side of the street. So I ran back to him.
Me: “Yes, yes dear, Mommy heard you! What’s up?”
Him: “Mommy, you don’t have to buy me present on my birthday next week!”
Me: *happy* “Awww, are you sure baby? You really don’t want any present?”
Him: “Yes, no present.”\
Me: *speechless and kissed him*
Him: “Just bring a big birthday cake to celebrate my birthday at Sunday School class…” he nodded understandingly.
Me: “Eeeeehhh??!!?”
And so Gabriel got his big birthday cake from Mommy! And I’m anxious of what he’s going to ask me for his 5th birthday next month… probably a bigger cake LOL
JUNG MIN YOUNG - DAPHNE MAGDALENA PRIBADI
Daphne was born premature at her mother’s 7th month of pregnancy on October 30, 2000. She was born withhydrocephalus and Spina Bifida. She had her first surgery 2.5 months after her birth. The surgery was to remove fluids from her head and to fix her spina bifida.
I remembered a few weeks after her surgery, his father was on duty at our church’s service with me. He was the Worship Leader and I was one of the backup singer. He tearfully testified in front of the congregation that the doctors told him she wouldn’t pass the age of 1 month, every single day was spent in prayers and faith that God would do a miracle for her.
Today, I could say that she’s truly a miracle come to life! She has lived for 10 years and lived a meaningful life for her family. I once visited her when she was around 4 (if I’m not mistaken), just like Min Young she chatted non-stop while sliding around the floor and pointing at pictures in English, she even spoke of colors in perfect English. Today, she watched those cartoons on Cable TV and understood every single story without a subtitle. She amazed me.
She used to study at a regular school with a special teacher paid and assigned to assist her in class. She followed every subject with good grades. But then her mother found out that she’s been pinched when she was being moody. She had a lot of friends and all of them understood her moody ways, but apparently it’s the adults who didn’t. Her teachers said that she’s uncooperative and disruptive in class, and that made her behaviour even worse.
Finally a couple of months ago she started to begin her home schooling and now she’s very happy with her lessons! She liked to draw and now ever started to draw with a computer using MS PAINT! She liked taking pictures and yes, just like Min Young, she was obsessed with her Barney doll! LOL Though I saw not she’s not holding a Barney anymore but something else (I really need to keep up on my knowledge of children’s animation characters!), she loves taking pictures and especially of her plushies. She also loves younger children and babies and is always fascinated by them :)
Two months ago Daphne had another surgery. When she was little, a device and tubes were installed in her head to get rid of the fluid. Last year she began to get terrible headaches, apparently as she grew she also needed longer tubes and the device was getting old and needed a replacement. So the doctor replaced it with a new device and installed a longer tubes. And she might required the same procedure every 10 years. When I came to see her one day after the surgery I brought some breads. When I was about to go home her mother asked her to say thanks to me and she said, “Thank you, Stupid Auntie!” I laughed so hard remembering this, she called me stupid cause I didn’t know what bread that she liked and with her mother I kept offering something else for her that she didn’t like :p And yes, she only eats Chicken Nuggets from a certain brand, you really can’t fool her tastedbud!
Daphne also have an older brother called Iyer, who was now in middle school. Iyer is very patient with her and I can see that he really cares about her like Moonbin. I’m so proud to see a mature child who understand others’ need and difference and accept them without a fuss.
These two children made me understand that sometimes we, adults, need to learn more from children. Many times I found them more mature and more understanding, and not picky about what’s given to them. They take them without a complain, just being thankful.
Every day I prayed for these children. For them to grow up healthily and lovingly. Especially a child like Daphne who needed more understanding from those around her. She proved me that disabilities doesn’t mean that you’re limited.
To all children in the world… I wish you happiness and love and strength and power! I pray that you grow up to be great people. I pray that you grow up healthily. And I pray that you can be yourself and be adults that world can be proud of.
Love You More