187: MEMORIES 4


    ARIEL’S POV


    [FLASHBACK CONTINUES]


    I sat on a weathered wooden bench in my lush garden, basking in the warm glow of the afternoon sun.


    Around me, colorful flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their sweet fragrance filling the air. Lukel and


    Janice, my two little children, yed nearby, theirughter echoing through the garden.


    Lukel, with his tousled hair and mischievous grin, chased after a butterfly, his chubby legs pumping as


    he tried to catch it. Janice, her curls bouncing with each step, giggled as she ran around a bed of


    daisies, pretending to be a fairy princess.


    I watched them with a smile, my heart swelling with love. This beautiful rtionship between the three


    of us was one in a million. The bond between me and my children was unbreakable, a thread that wove


    through our lives, connecting us in a way that nothing else could.


    Lukel finally caught the butterfly in his tiny hands, and he ran over to me, his eyes shining with


    excitement. “Mommy, look what I found!” he eximed, holding out the delicate creature for me to


    see.


    I gasped in delight, marveling at the butterfly’s intricate wings. “It’s beautiful, Lukel,” I said, giving him a


    proud smile. “Why don’t you let it go so it can fly free again?”


    Lukel nodded eagerly and opened his hands, watching with wonder as the butterfly fluttered away into


    the sky. Janice skipped over to us, a handful of wildflowers clutched in her tiny fist. “Look, Mommy, I


    picked these for you!” she said, holding them out with a beaming smile.


    I took the flowers, my heart melting at my daughter’s thoughtfulness. “Thank you, Janice,” I said,


    pressing a kiss to her rosy cheek. “They’re beautiful, just like you.”


    The children’sughter filled the garden, a symphony of joy that lifted my spirits. Even though I was


    aware that life was full of difficulties and challenges, when I was with the people I loved most,


    everything else seemed to fade away.


    The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the garden. I gathered Lukel and


    Janice in my arms. “It’s time to go inside, my darlings,” I said, my voice soft but firm.


    The children protested, not ready to leave their ytime behind, but I promised them another


    adventure tomorrow. With a final round of hugs and kisses, I led them back to the house, theirughter


    lingering in the air like the sweetest melody.


    I tucked Lukel and Janice into bed that night. I knew that I was the luckiest mother in the world. Their


    love was my guiding light, a beacon that shone brightly no matter what storms life may bring. And as I


    watched them drift off to sleep, their faces peaceful and content, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the


    blessings that filled my life.


    The gardeny quiet and still outside, the flowers closing their petals as night descended. But in my


    187: MEMORIES 4


    heart, the memory of that perfect afternoon would always bloom.


    2/3


    I sat on the couch, controller in hand, while Lukel jumped up and down in excitement next to me, Come


    on, Mom! You can do it!” he cheered as I maneuvered my character through the virtual world of our


    favorite video game.


    I smiled down at him and said, “I’m trying, buddy. But you’re just too good at this.”


    Lukel let out a triumphantugh as I finally defeated the boss level. “Yes! We did it!” he eximed,


    giving me a high–five.


    Just then, Janice walked into the living room. “Mom, can you help me with my homework?” she asked,


    holding up her math book.


    I nced at the clock and saw that it was already past her bedtime. “Janice, it’s gettingte. Can’t it


    wait until tomorrow?” I replied, hoping to avoid interrupting our gaming session.


    Janice pouted, “But I don’t understand this problem, and it’s due tomorrow. Please, Mom?”


    I sighed, knowing that I couldn’t say no to her. “Okay, Lukel, why don’t you continue ying for a little


    bit while I help Janice with her homework?”


    Luke’s face fell, but he nodded understandingly. “Okay, Mom. But hurry back; we were just about to


    unlock the secret level.”


    I chuckled and ruffled his hair before turning my attention to Janice. “Alright, let’s see what you’re


    struggling with,” I said, sitting down next to her on the couch.


    I helped Janice work through the problem, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for my two wonderful


    children. They were so different in their interests and personalities, but they both brought so much joy


    into my life.


    “Thanks, Mom. I understand it now,” Janice said, smiling up at me.


    I returned her smile and said, “Great job, sweetie. Now it’s time for bed.”


    Janice groaned, but got up and headed towards her room. As she walked away, I couldn’t help but feel


    a twinge of guilt for not spending more time with her tonight.


    I made my way back to the living room and saw Lukel still ying the game. “Hey, buddy, it’s time to


    turn off the game and get ready for bed,” I said gently.


    Lukel’s face fell again. “But we didn’t get to the secret level.”


    I sat next to him and pulled him into a hug. “I know, but we can try again tomorrow. Right now, it’s time


    for bed. You don’t want to be tired for school tomorrow, do you?”


    Lukel shook his head. “No, I guess not.”


    “1


    I smiled and turned off the game console. “Goodnight, Lukel. I love you.”


    187: MEMORIES 4


    “I love you too, Mom,” he replied, giving me a hug before heading off to bed.


    3/3


    It was a beautiful summer afternoon, and I decided to take my two little children, Lukel and Janice, out


    for a walk in the park. The moment we strolled along the green, lush paths, I couldn’t resist the urge to


    capture this precious moment with a selfie.


    “Come on, kids, let’s take a selfie!” I pulled out my phone.


    Lukel, who was always full of energy, jumped up and down with excitement. “Yes! I want to be in the


    selfie!” he shouted.


    Janice, on the other hand, was a little hesitant. “I don’t know, mommy; I don’t want to make a funny


    face,” she said, looking at me with her big, innocent eyes.


    “Don’t worry, sweetie. Making funny faces is the whole point of a selfie,” I reassured her with a wink.


    I held up my phone and gathered my little ones close to me. “Okay, on the count of three, we make the


    craziest faces we can,” I said, trying to contain myughter.


    “One…two…three!” I counted, and we all made our most ridiculous faces.


    Lukel stuck his tongue out and crossed his eyes, while Janice scrunched up her nose and stuck out her


    tongue. I, on the other hand, made a fish face and winked.


    We burst intoughter as we looked at the result. “Mommy, you look so funny!” Janice giggled.


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    “You guys look even funnier,” I replied, stillughing.


    “Let’s take another one; I want to try a different face!” Lukel eximed, already making his next


    funny expression.


    We took several more selfies, each one getting sillier and sillier. Janice even suggested we take one


    with our tongues out and our fingers in our ears, pretending to be silly monkeys.


    As we walked back home, I couldn’t stop smiling at the silly selfies we had taken. It was such a simple


    and fun activity, but it brought us so much joy andughter.


    “Mommy, can we take a selfie every day?” Janice asked.


    “Of course, my love. We can do that,” I replied, patting her head.


    “Yay!” Lukel cheered, jumping up and down. I couldn’t hold back augh at that.


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