My Cousin Ling

She was my playmate when I was little, I remember playing with her barbie, lego bricks, polly pocket, play dough and paper dolls. When she stayed over at my place, we ran around my house playing hide-and-seek, climbing up the swing in my garden and also riding a motorbike and bicycle we had. She often let me have the motorbike, which I liked. My paternal grandfather always brought us out to the amusement centres, gave each of us money and we would spend the day playing, getting coupons and exchanging for toys. These playtime memories form such a significant part of my childhood, and I hold them close to my heart. Our grandfather also often bought us toys from what I remember, and we would share them and play together. We often did role playing, the nurse and the doctor, being cooks..

I guess its this early attachment we had in our childhood that she always seems so near, I always remember her as my cousin who I was really close to when we were little, who took my hand and guided me along. There is this bond between us I feel, that holds us together, although we lead busy separate lifes now. When we do get together and talk, memories of the past come rushing back..

She has been a source of inspiration to me, I often speak in awe of her. Not that she is aware of any of this, but she has been one of my positive role models in my life thus far. Friends I speak to from China are in impressed when I tell them that my cousin is staying in Beijing now, in a course many feel are difficult to enter in Peking University. She has been successful in her studies thus far, with many more other acheivements I shall leave out here. I am so happy for her.

Today is her 22nd birthday, I hope my playmate will have a great day and continue to shine like she has always been.

Happy Birthday Ling.