A BIRTHDAY LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER

A Birthday Letter to my Daughter on April 11th 2010

My dearest darling I,

As you turn seven today, you probably don’t realize what an extraordinary influence you have had on the lives around you. On your 7th birthday, my darling, here is Mummy (& Daddy) wishing you life's most wondrous blessings, and our greatest love.

Your arrival into this world on April 11th 2003 at 2.02am was momentous and joyous to us in every way. After three false labours which included an overnight hospital stay where Daddy paid the Shangri-La rate to sleep on Gleneagle’s uncomfortable labour room chairs, you finally made your entry into this world quite easily as Mummy watched on CNN the Allied tanks barrage their way into Baghdad, claiming victory over oil, and as SARS waged its furor onto the world. Those were the first salient memories of your birth, my darling.

With violence and a health scare scourging the world, Mummy wondered even more than ever, how to bring you up in this ever increasing perilous world around us. But as ever, you are a little feisty fighter and has always been. And we, especially Mummy, has always been gentle and patient with you.

Your big che-che S embraced you immediately with open arms and the inseparable bond between you both have been forged ever since. The mantra that Mummy constant chants to you two girls has always been “to love each other like there is no one else.” So in the last seven years I have seen how you two darlings have loved, bicker(sometimes), love some more, share, plot, emulate each other, encourage one another, sometimes tiff but being always kind and loving to one another. That has been the most endearing things to see as your Mummy.

Little Belly Boo, as you’re often called, you don’t know how much you’re loved and adored. When your little bro came along, Mummy was worried that you might feel a little left out, being the middle of three. But you know what. I don’t have to worry too much. As I have told you, you are my sandwich ham- the middle part of the sandwich. So without you, there will be no sandwich! Yes, che che and di di are the slices of bread, but always remember that the filling of the sandwich is what makes a sandwich. So I know you gleefully and secretly love your extra nick-name- Hammie, for you are all that and more to me!

Being a bit of a PR pro, you always know how to make Mummy feel better, especially when you are in a ‘I want to please you’ mood. You ever smiley face and bright disposition always bring light to us all, even when mummy feels a little tired and down. I love your little massages and pampering, you notes of affirmation left under my pillow, and mostly your hugs and kisses.

So on your birthday, I want to give you the best present- that you are always allowed to always be yourself. You can be a little scared of night boogeys and strangers, you can dislike practising the piano, or dread your Mandarin lessons, you can do cartwheels and write whimsy poems all you want, you can have paint your nails on your birthday, watch a little bit of Glee, even, so long as you are healthy, happy and smiley, you make Daddy and I feel on top of the world!

Here’s Mummy saying to you, be yourself and find peace wherever you are. When you have that, it will be the best birthday gift you can give yourself.

Happy Birthday, my darling. God Bless you always.


All my love always,
Mummy
xoxoxo