A dozen years old!

My heart bounces out of my body as I prep myself for a to-be-teen’s mom! Four thousand, three hundred and eighty-three days ago, you laughed your way into our lives, changing them forever. Making our days bigger, brighter; warming our hearts and adding a purpose to our living.

But trust me, being your mom has been the hardest and also the easiest job for me in the entire world – all at the same time! I had no instruction manual and I fear if I am doing the right thing or not. I worked very hard to build a loving relationship with you – built on respect and trust because love is a given. And I am confident that whenever you find anything tough, you will come to me and share.

Your story started off as a prayer, a prayer that was answered! I still remember the day before you were born, I had felt a little lethargy since morning and it only gave way to fatigue by dinner and at about 330AM we left for the hospital! We spent the whole morning ever so gently encouraging you to join us. And after 20+ hours of labor pains I had you in my arms. We were teary eyed, filling up the room with bliss and triumph. I loved the part when you dint cry too much, just about enough to clear your lungs out. And then, you had settled in well as if you had known me… Forever!

A dozen years and I have memories to this day... your soft coos, your beautiful smiles, my nights of feeding and soothing you... your incessant colic cries... the squeals, those tender touches as if they were offerings of love... I have carefully hidden them all in my heart. When I think back about the dozen years gone by, I think about the resilience, determination and how you overcame most hardships that came your way. Just like I used to caress your face while you slept as a baby, my heart still pulls towards you after you have slept, every night… I wake you sometimes... but I love how I am able to hold you for just a little longer!

Ever since you started to become this effortless tween, I have missed your wit, your goofy retorts, those were charming in their own way. I only wish to tell you, how genuine and one of a kind those were… you are maturing and what’s maturing with you is your gift of independence, your inner beauty, your spirit to soar like the eagle; and its getting difficult for me to keep pace with that.

They say, children are like trees, they find roots and they keep growing and evolving. But I feel that in the last 12 years while we kept moving places and countries, you, my child not only found your own strong holdings, you became more majestic and beautiful!

Here are some 12 things that I love about you:

1. Your Love to read: It’s amazing how you can devour the books, children who take time out to read are gifted and can easily keep themselves engaged as busy adults.

2. You can go against the grain: I admire your strength to stand up for what you believe, I have seen it on a few occasions.

3. You exhibit joy: Your joy is infectious; it makes us all around you joyful.

4. Your laugh! I can’t get enough of it..

5. You are super loyal!

6. Your ability to make anything fun, just about anything.

7. You care! I still remember how you stayed up all night for the lost dog who showed up on our doorstep.

8. You are thoughtful.

9. You respect other people’s spaces.

10. You are strong-willed, it could borderline obstinacy and usually it is when I don’t like it.

11. You are resilient, and I think Legos help.

And that brings to your next quality...

12. You still love your Legos… yep, 10 years into them and still growing strong, how superbly passionate!

Ilvikaa, I am so proud to be your mother. I too have grown in the last 12 years, with you! I have learnt to love unconditionally! Your teachers have the nicest things to say about you and that fills our hearts with a confidence that a wonderful future awaits you. Every year, I feel there is so much that I can barely cover in a letter to you, as such – I will end by just stating that we are lucky to have you as ours, and ours’ only!