Aimee's Dream Day

How long have I dreamed of this day? I cannot recall.

What I do recall is this beautiful girl child who just grabbed hold of my heart strings when she came into this world and, frankly, has never let go. Not all of my heart strings, though..... my son, Allan, took ownership of some 12 months before and he still has them.

She was entrancing. She had the most gorgeous eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows, chin, everything.

She was cheeky yet so polite; untidy yet (according to my friend) there must have been some method in her madness; pouted but only for a blink of an eye.

I remember the night I got home from work and somehow she looked odd as I gazed down at her sleeping form. (Both slept in our room even though each had their own bedroom - and I have never regretted that, in fact, cherished every moment.)

But it was late (my shift at the Bangkok Post newspaper ended about 1am and it must have been about 2) and all I wanted to do was shower and crawl into bed.

I walked into my bathroom, grabbed my toothbrush and then I saw it -- tiny bits of hair littered my sink, the shaver on the side had bits of hair in it.

Then it hit me.

I went over to Aimee and there it was for all the world - or just me at that moment - to see.

Aimee, the inquisitive, had trotted into my bathroom after being put to bed by my domestic helpers. She must have been so curious about that shaver or maybe just decided she did not like her lovely thick eyebrows or that lock of hair that fell so perfectly across her brow any more. So she shaved them off!

Oh yes, about that day I have been dreaming about. In about three months or 90 sleeps, whichever comes sooner, my Aimee will be walking down the aisle in a spectacular church in Bangkok to promise to spend the rest of her life with the man she loves. It will be followed by a reception to remember at the classic Sukhothai Hotel. It is the day she has been preparing for for ever so long.

It is the day I will have to give up that little minx who stole my heart nearly 30 years ago. But that is life - and that is the way it should be.

I love you Aimee.