Second / 老二

過年前我把前幾年替小方畫的成長記錄裝在鼓鼓的福袋裡，等著要送給他當新年禮物。準備楷維的福袋時，才發現甚麼也沒有，結果我們幾人集思廣益，買了一包他最愛的餅乾，包起來之後在封面畫了他最愛的水泥車，想要敷衍了事，二少收到禮物當然是開心得大叫：彌彌！（他專屬的水泥車說法），但身為日漸懶散的表阿姨，我因為這件事感到甚是愧疚。

During the annual clean-up before Chinese New Year, I collected the drawings done for Von years earlier and put them in the fat red envelope, which would be his New Year gift. I didn’t realize that I had made nothing at all for Kai until I was about to prepare his. It took several heads to come up with a solution—I bought a pack of his favorite cookies, wrapped it in an envelope decorated with a drawing of his favorite cement truck. I was looking for an easier way out, but when he got it, he screamed in joy, “Ment-ment!” (His personal way of saying the name of the vehicle) However, I can’t help feeling a sense of guilt as I am confronted with my slack attitude toward Kai in introspection.

因為不是老大，楷維從小有自己的生存之道，喜歡哥哥，但有時也會偷打他討回公道；看著家裡的大人抱哥哥，他會直接要求擁抱，用他那不害臊的落落大方；沒有小方驚人的語言發展力，楷維從比劃、一個字、加上生動的表演，以及對人群的喜愛，創造出自我的風格；我最愛的還是他每天歡欣生活的態度。

As a second child, Kai knows how to survive under a mixture of admiration and envy for his big brother. He adores Von, but he will get even by hitting Von when the latter is off guard. Watching the adults hug Von, Kai will go up to them, asking for love with his unabashed openness. Without Von’s amazing language ability, Kai creates a very lovable style combining body gestures, single-word expression along with theatrical acting, and his congeniality. Yet, what rivets me is his merriness toward the everyday life.

最近楷維突然從一字族開始造兩個字以上的句子，楷媽抱他在懷裡說：你長大了，孩子帶給父母的滿足說大可以很大，卻也可以因為一小步的成長令人感動萬分。

Lately Kai has progressed from one-word expression to short sentences comprised of more than two words. His mom rocks him in her arms, saying gladly, “You have grown up…” Children might have to achieve a lot to bring satisfaction to their parents, but meanwhile, a small step may be rewarding beyond words…