The Light Of Dawn

    Was there a time in your life that one day, you randomly asked your parents the meaning of your name out of curiosity? Let me tell you my experience. One night, a curious girl once asked her parents why she was given such a name so confusing, hard to pronounce, and at the same time, very meaningful. Turns out, the little girl's first name was derived from both her parents' names. She then asked about her second name, this time her parents softly smiled. "You'll find out the meaning of that soon" they softly said to the child.

    That little girl was me, Lishanaia Dawn Leo. I would instantly like you if you're able to pronounce it right the first time! To be honest, I still never fully got the meaning of my second name "Dawn", but nevertheless I will share to you what I gathered so far. "Dawn is Hope" as the quote goes, but can I really be the hope needed by my loved ones? I often ask myself. Some parents say "Get a high-paying job, you are the hope of our family." but my parents said otherwise. "We'll support you in anything you choose in life" they would always say, those who know comment I'm lucky. My close friends chant "Thank you for listening, that really saved me". Acquaintances would remark "Your smile and energy would always brighten the gloomy mood". Those simple words would always hit me in certain ways that left me speechless. 

     Puzzling those words said to me, lightened and fed my starving curiosity about my mysterious second name. I never thought myself of the “sociable” or “active” person or friend, I was more on just giving them space and letting them lean or cry on my shoulder whenever there was a cloud looming over their heads, so it really struck me to know that my peers see me as their "Light and Hope" meanwhile I myself, was not even aware that those small and simple actions made such a huge impact and helped them in one way or another. Someone once teased, "If only your height was as big as the comfort you bring" I felt both offended and moved by those words they said.