My Beloved Daughter ,
The year before you were born I had told Appa that this would be our last try for a baby. Your brother had kept asking for a sister for some years, ( five to be exact and he did not realise what he was asking).
I just prayed it would be a girl. Since we don’t do gender scans here in India we would not know until you were born. I told my gynaecologist that I would trouble them on a Sunday and right enough eating too many waffle ice creams made it happen one Sunday evening.
Appa went shopping almost a week later and came home with a T-shirt that said “here comes trouble”. In the 18 years since, you have been your fair share of trouble , but I would not have missed it for the world.
An independent , quietly confident , often exasperating child we have had our fair share of disagreements but you have always been some one who speaks her truth and believes in herself. And made us always believe in you.
As you step into a new chapter in your life Appa and I wish you well and want the best for you. This last year in school with all that is happening in the world,your life has been turned upside down. You have had to adjust to a new way of schooling, have challenges in terms of taking exams and classes, disappointments that made you feel sad, bitter and angry all at the same time. Std 13 was meant to be the year you get to be the best . You have roles of responsibility, prefect ship and the chance of acting and directing your class drama. None of this happened . The reality of a pandemic, staying safe , losing people you knew and watching things unfold made things feel surreal. You were in quarantine more time than you wished, had far more COVID tests than the rest of us and even final good byes were missed .
I wish I could have wished it all away but I can’t. Life goes on.
As you step out now into this future you dream of for yourself I hope to leave you with some thoughts.
These three things I wish for you. Love , Faith and Popping Candy
LOVE
This is the one thing that binds us together as family and as human beings. When we were teens we had this cute couple that was on everything and had the words Love is... You could fill up the sentence with whatever you wanted. Love is like that , it fills the dark places in your heart. Love yourself first, don’t ever see yourself as someone who doesn’t deserve anything. Dream big and go for it. Remember that when you believe in you , that’s when the journey starts. You are stronger, more courageous and more beautiful than you think you are and it’s not beauty on the outside. Find your strengths and find people who will uplift you, People who will stand by you and who love you , warts and all. Love is that thing we all want . It Can be a hug ,a smile a whisper. It can hold you close and often shut out the world.
As family we will love you no matter what. You know you have a shoulder to lean on and a lap to lie on whenever you need it. We will be there even if we disagree. Remember that. Love is that quilt that keeps you warm on a chilly night. A star that reminds you that home is not too far away and hand that holds on tightly wherever you go.
Faith
Have faith in yourself. Have Faith in God .Know He is there and that it is faith that keeps us going even when the road ahead is winding and unclear. It is Faith that has given me the strength for each day and my prayer for you is that you too will find it.
Faith is often stepping out into the unknown, knowing that your life and it’s purpose has been already planned for you. Trust God to know that when he shuts one door another will open. Even in the darkest days He will carry you.
Faith can be tested and often found wanting in us because we so often want to be part of the crowd rather than on our own but sometimes Faith is all you will have .Hold on to it like a swimmer who is sinking. It’s your life jacket when troubled times surround us.
Be reassured that He will not leave you rudderless. Make him captain of the ship and you will definitely be able to steer in the biggest of storms.
Popping Candy
When you guys were small this was a sure treat. A packet of popping Candy. The faces you would make as they crackled inside your mouth. Different flavours and distinct ones as well.
Life is a packet of popping Candy. You can be adventurous and try everything or you can take it one flavour at a time. Wether it’s the people who you meet , the places you visit or the things you decide to do make it as colourful as you are.
I have watched you grow, from a little girl who sang with gusto to a young lady who knows what she wants.The confidence, that strength of character is what defines you.
There’s a whole new world awaiting you and I hope you grab it with both hands.
Appa and I are very proud of who you have become and we wait eagerly as you takes those first steps into your future. May it be all that you wish for and more.
I want to leave you with words from the poem “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann 1927
Read it when you get the time and inclination.The words are timeless.
And I quote “And whether or not it is clear to you ,no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations , in the noisy confusion of life,keep peace in your soul . With all its sham , drudgery and broken dreams , it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy”.
Congratulations!!
❤️❤️❤️
