Nurse: “Let me check if I can take Blood from her hand.”

I nod stressfully.

Nurse: “Madam. Let’s try.  Please take her in your lap and hold her tightly.”

The nurse checked S’s hands; left first and then the right, where she spotted a nerve.

I was not ready. I used to take her for vaccinations for the first six months of her life, it wasn’t that bad. This time I felt miserable.

Ms.S. is three and a half. She feels and expresses just like any average human being. it is just worse as I cannot bear to see those big eyes drop bigger tears.

She had been burning with fever for five days; added with a severe cough, cold, a  minimal appetite and clumsy falls.

But you wouldn’t guess, coz she won’t stop living life!

We were rushed with an emergency pass. The doctor advised a blood test, just to make sure there was nothing else to worry about.

I don’t have good memories of blood tests. This added to my anxiety.

I promised S. chicken nuggets after the blood test. she smiled in between horrible sniffles.

Counter B, a not-so-convincing nurse, a petrified mother and an oblivious child.

for added support, another nurse was invited.

I wanted S to look away, I held her close and told her to pray. but she wouldn’t turn her Face, the nurse kept reminding me to hold her hands and body tightly.

as my grip tightened, it dawned on me, if this moment scared her, it would scar her for life.

I saw her watch the needle pierce through her little arm and blood trickling down the tube.

“Look!” I said, “all the bacteria and germs are rushing out. See, the nurse is removing all the bad things. Now my doll will feel stronger.”

It got over and she shrieked. I had no tear or scream to control.

I learned a lesson.

Allow her face all my fears and overcome them. Encourage her to face the ones she encounters.

I wondered as I saw her bravely sipping milo with one hand.

When did life make us so meek? What made us so weak?