By Letter To My Daughter, Muceenah At Six By Idris Rahman
Dear Muceenah,
Have I told you lately how much I love you? How proud I am of you? How amazed I am by your love, kindness, strength and brilliance? How worried I am for your tenderness, fragility and soft heart? I can’t imagine life without you. It’s hard for me to put all these feelings down, to find the words that adequately convey exactly how I feel about you and what you mean to me.
I am very proud of you. I am proud of what an amazing big sister you have become. How so much of the time you think about your sister first, even though you are only 6. How sharing things with her is your natural inclination, and how even with 3 years age difference, you play so well together every day. You protect and teach her and I just can’t ask for more! I talk a lot about how you need to be her sister and not her mum and I hope this is the path your relationship takes as it is such a beautiful and important one!
As proud as I am of you, I also worry so much. The same tenderness that I love in your relationship with your sister leaves you so vulnerable in dealing with others who may not treat you so gently. You are just starting out in school and sometimes, it can be a difficult and unkind place. I try so hard to “fill your bucket” as you do say. To boost that inner strength that helps you realize that the things other people say and do have absolutely no reflection on you; to show you how to objectively view the different reasons that people behave the way they do. I try so hard to encourage you not to be afraid. Don’t be afraid to say hi to someone you don’t know. Don’t be afraid to join the game. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
You will miss out on so much if you let in fear while making your choices. You are strong. You are complete. Don’t ever say Yes or No to something because you are afraid. Say YES because you want to. Say NO because it’s the right choice. Take all the time you need to make a decision. Jump with both feet on a whim sometimes, but don’t ever, ever let fear decide your path. You have everything you need to survive and thrive. Get out there and live!
It has been a big year full of changes as well as ups & downs. I am sad that we don’t have as much time to spend together since grandma fell sick but I treasure every moment we spend together, even the tough ones! I hope and pray this new year brings a lot of those special moments, beautiful moments!
I hope you know how much I love you. I hope you understand that even though you challenge me every minute of every day, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It shows me that you are fierce. That you think for yourself and you don’t simply accept what is put before you. You are a fighter, an Overcomer, a champion. You are an inspiration to your mom and I and so many others. My angel, I hope you know how much daddy loves and cherish you.
I am hopeful that this sixth year of yours is going to be your best year yet and better years are loading.
Big hugs and kisses,
Dad
