Dear
Daughter,
Happy
Birthday Baby. I love you now and always will.
As
the clock struck in the midnight, one sixteen year old was added to the world.. ....and more importantly, to our world. It sure changed things for us. How does it feel to you? Any
different from what you felt yesterday or day before? None, is it? You are sixteen.
That’s what turning up a certain age is all about. It’s like you have the license
to do many things but don’t know what to fuss over or where to go. You are like
an empty page on which many stories await to be written (could turn into a bestseller
someday, watch out for it honey). Then there would be things beyond your care
while others will be question of life and death. Each emotion will demand equal
attention and the whole world will be out there to be conquered. Different
people and issues will pull you in different directions. Guys around you will
tell you things which you would willingly believe. Nothing wrong with these,
sweetheart. Perfectly natural, I would say. However like all products (with or
without “i”), age too has its instructions for handling and do’s and don’ts. Nothing
wrong with this either. With each passing year, there would be so many other things
you would want to try and accomplish. You will, I am sure.
We
never realize when we grow that each passing day is adding to that one most
important thing in life - experience. Each deed is added to this repertoire
called "as per my experience". Always remember you are the person you are today because of
all that you did yesterday and on all the days that you have lived so far. Good
or bad, doesn’t matter. Those are labels depending on how you view it today and
nothing else. Experiences are like one of those things – whether you like it or
not, want it or not, appreciate it or not – they just, plain, happen. However
you can always choose to script it the way you want. Celebrate your successes
but be proud, sensitive and respectful to your “near misses in life” because achievements
are applauded by all. Bloopers can be appreciated only by the one who makes it.
Give equal importance to both if you want to have the wings to fly but would
want a perfect landing on every return. Think from your mind but always listen
to your heart. It might be on the wrong side but always shows you the right
path. Some say that intelligent learn from others mistakes but then you get to grasp
only the result. You miss out on the story that lead to it and all the other learning’s
associated with it. So choose carefully where you would like to test waters
first before you leap and where you would like to take the plunge at the word
go. Most importantly, pray for the wisdom to know the difference!! It’s my firm
belief that all lives are well lived. Results may or may not be as desired but
the journey can never be in vain.
When
we walk on the path called life, we mostly stop to take rest which is when we
celebrate our birthdays each year. Good day to party. Then on passing certain
places, we stop just to look around and take in whatever we can, to carry them
in our hearts to inspire us. There are times when we also need to sit back and pause
and look back on the life lived. Looking back on a lifetime of meaningful
existence. That’s when these milestone years like 16, 18, 21, 30 etc. come to
be truly understood. When they happen, we celebrate but don’t experience any
immediate change. The change is not in us but in the way people treat us or
view us when we turn a certain age. Remember, you are beautiful and incredible
in all ages. When growing up, different ages will demand you to be courageous,
mature, hold on, let go and make choices, sometimes difficult too. Being
courageous doesn't mean that you have to be fearless all the time or let nobody
see your emotions or take tough calls. It just means that there are important
things in life which will have to take precedence over others. While you start
doing something’s, you might have to stop doing others. Love for some things or
people will be stronger than others. In the landscape of your life some objects
will have brighter colors or hues than the others. That’s what aging is all
about, my love.
So
don’t let any pressure bog you down or any hurt keep you from giving your all. Don’t
let the fear of losing keep you from playing the game of life. It takes courage
to give all that you possess for that one passion you want to pursue. It takes
lot of strength to give love when nobody cares. It takes nerve of steel to be
true. It takes attitude to be who you are and not feel guilty about it. So be you.
Just be you.
I
guess I should stop now. I could go on forever, you know.
Once
again, happy birthday girl.
Love
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