Mother’s Day letter to my son...

My love, years from now, you and you wife and children will read this letter and you will realise that every word I’ve written was not written for entertainment purposes or to impress you. This letter was written as a pledge and promise to you and to share my happiness with you and to others who read it.

Dear Zahili Ahsan,

On October 27, 2010, at 9.30am I heard you cry for the first time. I can’t remember what I was thinking then, but I knew I was overwhelmed. I was blessed with a son — my first child. I stared at you, not really focused on your features but somehow I was drawn to you... connected to you! I knew you were great.

On that beautiful morning of your birth, I thanked God you were healthy. I saw your future flash in front of me... son, you will have a bountiful future. Today after only six months I am experiencing a feeling of fulfilment beyond words. As we prepare to spend our lives together I feel blessed to have you and I’m a very happy woman.

My Zaza, every milestone of yours is a kind of personal victory for me. Your first smile, the first time I saw you crawl (last week, the very day you turned six months) and on May 2nd, when I saw you sit un-supported for the first time I couldn’t clap hard enough... Every little thing you do light up my life and give me a joyous feeling.Son, you are six months now, but very soon Zaza, you will become six years and I want your childhood to reflect the foundations I have already began to lay down in you. I will make mistakes but I promise you that I will never abuse you but I will never spear the rod (this may be painful for both of us but I promise you son, you have some licks to get); I will discipline you; I will pray for you; I will clothe and feed you and provide an education for you; I will never rebuke you; harsh words will never leave my mouth toward you; you will always be told the truth; I will support and protect you; I will always respect you; I will never spoil you; there will be times when I will give and there will be times when I will have to take; we will have fun together; I will allow you to explore; you are my responsibility; I will teach you and what I do not know the wisdom of God will direct me.

Darling, you should know that challenges may stalk us; confusion may engulf us; pain may bend us; you will cry... sometimes I will see your tears and sometimes I won’t, but you will be loved and that love will be a comfort to you.

Precious baby, you are so handsome... and already, you have so much personality you are daring, inquisitive, demanding, happy, fussy, funny, strong, independent, giving and according to your father, you are the BOSS!

My love, my aim as your mother is to raise a wise man; a blessed man; a trustworthy man a man of integrity; a Godly man; a man who values himself and validates others; a kind man; a strong man; an educated man; a man who will in turn teach my grand children all that I have instilled in him. Son, your children will carry on the legacy which I have begun in you; and hopefully this world will begin to see and experience positive change. No matter where in this world you may go love, or where your seeds are planted, they will always grow and blossom and reflect the great man you are.

Zahili Ahsan, your dad functions in his fatherly role with distinction. Son, he is a true father. Just like you son, your father is a great man (I don’t think he knows it, but maybe he does). I believe the man you will turn out to be will have a lot to do with your father’s influence in your life... well my influence too, but more so your father’s. Already, I see your father as the driving force in your future and most importantly, without a doubt you will have God in your life because your father will teach you that serving God is of paramount importance.

Zaza, even as I write this letter to you, there are countless women that are reading who cannot have babies for some reason or the other. I want them to know that this letter is for them too. I want them to know that they can celebrate with me and they can love you with me.

Maybe they are the teachers who will one day teach you in school, the cashiers who will check your items at the grocery store; the police woman who some day will cross you the street; the store clerk who will help you choose your first neck tie or the doubles lady at the street corner. No doubt son, you may interact with them one day, and believe me, they will see your greatness.

For those of you who have children and have not written a letter for one reason or the other, feel free to share my letter with your children and always remember that you are not alone because as the old adage says, it takes a village to raise a child.

I will always Love you Zahili Ahsan... No doubt about it my love; you are born to be great.