I Didn’t Come Here By Coincidence

And neither did you. Nor the person sitting next to you.

I’ve always seen myself as a solitary writer.

In fact, I’m not associated with a book publisher. I don’t ask my relatives for creative advice. But I’m not really alone.

I look at the comments and realize some people actually read my articles.

I don’t fully grasp that someone could’ve been spending their time with my blog on a coffee break. Or maybe in the doctor’s waiting room.

If only one person reads you, it’s surreal enough to ask yourself:

Why?

How did I get here?

I trace it back to childhood.

I think I was lucky enough to have a nice upbringing. Sure, nothing was perfect. But I want to reminisce on the good old days that we’ll never get back.

So I’m going to say…

Thank you.

Thank you to my parents who witnessed my growth. My mom, who made sure I was safe, well-nourished, and took me to the beach. My dad, who instilled my curiosity and interest in books.

I had the opportunity to visit the local library and the bookstore. I could spend hours there, walking along the halls. It felt like a supermarket for the soul.

Aside from that, I remember the holiday trips. The shopping malls. The conversations, the laughter, or that time when I was crying on the way home from high school and was listened to. I’ll treasure those moments.

When you’re a kid, time really feels like it’s going to last forever…I couldn’t see myself becoming an adult someday, but here we are.

I think I survived well.

Thank you for that.

Thank you to the rest of my family and the friends I made along the way.

You may not know it, and I may not realize it myself, but I find inspiration thanks to you. If we ever talked, ate together, played games, went for a bicycle ride, or swam in the sea…I still remember.

It’s such a warm feeling when you belong with someone. It’s proof that you’re not as isolated as you thought you were, that you have found a place in this world. When self-doubt goes away, the only thing left is happiness.

The happiness of being accepted, validated, believed in.

Thank you for making me feel like I belong.

Thank you, school. I got to experience the ups-and-downs in this big theater of life. Because yes, school was life.

I have fond memories. The morning daydreaming on the bus, the funny teachers, the movies in class, the binders we had to carry, the shrieking bell announcing that we could leave, the slow realization that you’re growing up. Even the school lunches that many would deem terrible; they bring up a nice feeling of nostalgia.

One day, my English teacher made us try milk tea. And it was the biggest revelation ever. I liked the taste.

Later, that led me to try milk coffee, and the rest is history.

I know it’s a cliché about writers, but I want to thank that creamy beverage for keeping me company in my creative sessions.

Thank you for the sun, the rain, the wind, the sky, the trees, the flowers, the birds, the grains of sand. Thank you for being here every day.

I know I can always look at you and realize life is bigger than myself and my tendency to overthink.

Thank you for that indescribable feeling of…

Loneliness? Emptiness? Inferiority?

You are the biggest catalyst for my writing.

Thank you for 2022, when I was feeling at my lowest, and yet it was the same year I decided to start this blog.

Thank you for being here.

Even though we don’t know each other personally. Someone who writes is kinda dependent on someone who reads. Maybe it’s the hope of being read that keeps me writing.

All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (The Little Prince)

Have I forgotten?

I’m trying to find a clover. Actually, it’s been in my mind all the time.

I’m not as enthusiastic as I would like to be. Because I’m used to life. But still, life is the only thing I know, and I will try to cherish it. To do so, I will write it.

Today…

Because today, too, will one day become a “Special Thanks” page.

Thank you for reading! ✿

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