A walk in the dusk with a little Moses

After moving to P, M college became a choice for a stroll because it is just a few minutes away. Though I have roamed there several times, I have always hoped to have Taikun joining me, because the open space is very good for children. In particular, it’s a bit bored to frequent P Park so much. Not to mention Taikun seems to be very concerned with seeing “people there.” 

Today, though it's a late afternoon of a Sunday, I proposed to go outside for a walk and passed this idea to Taikun. He responded: “hó, lan-lai-ki” (Okay. Let’s go). After leaving the house, I asked him where to go—“li beh ki  kū e  kong-hn̂,  ah-sī beh ki Sin e kong-hn̂g”?  (Do you want to go the old park, or, the new one park?). Somehow he replied “ū  lâng !” (people there!), meaning his reluctance to go to the usual place (Pulaski Park) already [he was afraid of it being already] occupied by other people. 

On  the  way to M college, Taikun stopped a lot of times to play with the grass and plants roadside. He also picked a lot fallen branches, exciting about his findings. All of sudden, he said slowly but clearly, “góa ē kôa” (Papa I feel cold). I bent down, checking what’s going on. Despite sunshine, it was actually pretty cool. The traffic was busy on the street, and it was some distance from home for getting back some clothes. Well, what to do? The only extra piece I could give him was a thin sweater.  I decided to put it on him—of course it was way too big, but it appeared to somehow functional when I rolled up overly-long sleeves for him.

Finally, we managed to arrive the campus. Two structures attracted his attention—a footbridge, followed by an underpass tunnel beneath Route 9.  I then verbalized what we were doing when crossing the bridge, “ Lan ji-ma le kiâⁿ  kiô” (we are walking on the bridge now). When crossing, I kept mentioning to him, “Lan ji  ma le kiâⁿ   pōng-khang o” (we are now walking in the tunnel). He appeared to be very interested, showing a smile on his face, listening to unique echo between our conversations. He looked so cute when concentrating on stepping on cobblestone pavement inside the tunnel. There were a lot students (“ū  lâng!”) while some of them were riding skateboards. He was a bit scared as I sensed his withdrawn. But soon he appeared to get used to the strangers and was able to enjoy walking on the cobblestones again.

This was the first time he visited M college. Taikun then started to explore the campus with me for quite a while. He was curious looking at everywhere—sometimes it’s the jetplane and the linear cloud behind it, and sometimes it was the difference between the sidewalk and the road where he could tell the pavement was different. He then asked to hold my hand walking from the sidewalk on one side of the road to another, since we had warned him to not cross the road on his own—his hand needs to be held at all  times. He also spotted water—the Hudson River ahead, and announced proudly, “chúi” (Water!) He was so verbal now!

When we arrived at a big lawn, he relaxed and started to explore this new place on his own. He lay and rolled on the ground, with the stick (simply a thick branch he just collected) in hand. He set foot on the grass and glanced around. I was so touched by his playful simplicity, and took a lot pictures here. 

Taikun is careful, if not meticulous. He tends not to explore at first sight, and needs encouragement often, especially for anything new, unfamiliar with risk or uncertainty.  When I noticed the sun was about to set, I brought him back. He insisted to walk a different path from the one we took coming here—this time, through the outdoor steps made of stone. He then climbed several flights (of course, with my counting numbers aside to help him memorizing numbers) first. And then I encouraged to walk on the side-stone, which was actually pretty steep for him. He first looked scared and reluctant, before I demonstrated to him by walking on it first. He also tried—but needing me to hold his hand for more confidence. Finally, he finished three flights of the side-stone slope. I hoorayed for him and he grinned. 

After returning home, I felt achieved since there was always something new worth to be written down whenever taking him out. I was very happy and content to spend this hour or two with him this way.

Later, when reviewing the photos taken, T hilariously made a quick remark for Taikun’s new costume: “Moses.” Yes, it was fun to see the great resemblance: a gown, plus a stick in hand! This is another unexpected achievement for the day---my little Moses.