By Dear Adebola Omo Lisa Ajuwa,
Today, you are now four, Family and Friends came in their droves praying and wishing you get the appropriate attributions in life, even though most of your being has been destined, a little hope hinged on prayers hurts no one.
Dear Son, the world is still new to you, and yet, in your eyes, I see glimmers of the courage, curiosity, and compassion that will guide your path. I write this note not just for this moment, but for the future: a letter you will one day read when the world becomes a little louder and life begins to ask you bigger questions.
Dear Upendo, you once feared the dark, a little mindless reaction that gladdens my heart as a father. Had you not shown a reaction to the dark or exhibited some elements of fear, I would have been bothered. The inability to sense danger and deploy the human instinct of flight or fight mode would have meant your psychological and physical nervous system is not developing at par with your growing age. This little mindless reaction to the dark also allowed me to commence my role as your torchlight in dark places, walking your timid steps, clenched hands, tearful refusals but with trust. See where we are now, we have learnt from your fears. That is growth, son. That is courage. Never let fear define you. Nothing perfect grows in the soil of fear. But when you do the things that scare you, again and again, fear begins to lose its grip. That’s where excellence hides.
Never conform to fashion out of fear of the unknown. Never act unnatural for fear of conformity. Be you, wholly and truthfully because you are Adebola, the Son of Oyewole the grandson of Adeola Akanbi, the great-grandson of Sanni of the Olisa Clan of Ikorodu, in your veins runs the royal blood of the Rademo ruling house, you are not ordinary, you are blue-blooded.
Dear Adebola, you are already teaching us lessons as your parents. Just months ago, we were worried that your words were unclear because we struggled to comprehend what you often say even though you were always so sure of what you wanted. Your mum and I were scared, yet we had to wait patiently on time to smoothen your words out in our ears. But look at you now, full of stories, questions, laughter, and all the roars of a dinosaur-loving, monster truck-chasing warrior. That’s how life works sometimes: quietly, time clears out all misgivings.
Dear Mukthadir, learn to live by sharing, caring, and believing in family. The world might tempt you to hoard or to outshine others even though healthy competition is good, but the real shine is in lifting others with you. Remember what Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, the Soviet dissident, and Nobel Prize recipient best known for his work “The Gulag Archipelago” once said: “True power lies not in taking everything away from others, but in recognizing their freedom.” So let others be. Respect everyone’s space to grow, even when you don’t understand them.
Love your brothers, even when they annoy you. Protect them, just as you are protected. Honour your mummy, her love for you is deeper than words can ever hold. She gave you life, warmth, and endless strength. Know that when the world is chasing you and you have given all you can, you can always come home to me, your brothers and the unconditional warmth of your mum. We listen, we don’t judge, even though we can be frank about our realities.
Dear Upendo, there’s no shortcut around learning. I know it can be hard, sometimes boring, and slow. I know we have to fight to get you to hold the pencil and focus on making meaning out of life, dear Son, you must understand knowledge is the light you carry through every darkness. Learn because it sharpens your mind, opens your heart, and gives you a voice no one can silence. Read, question, explore, and never stop being curious.
Dear Son, know that this world is full of challenges, but also full of new springs. When things feel cold or closed off, remember, there is always another beginning. Never get engrossed in your shortcomings or the things that have slipped out of your grips and lose sight of what can come. Remember, nothing happens in isolation, there is always fresh bloom and a brighter path to everything that looks darkened by everyday occurrences.
Dear Debola, hear it from me that true understanding comes when we look beyond the obvious, the world is fast becoming a breeding ground for illusion and fluid originality. Many are pretending to be what they are not, with fake body, fake voice, even fake reasoning for political correctness, Son, always seek deeper truth, and you will rarely be deceived.
Above all, remember you are deeply loved. Every step you take, every word you learn, every fall and rise, we are here, watching in awe. Be fearless, but be kind. Be strong, but remain gentle.
Happy 4th birthday, my Teddy Bear. Your story is just beginning, and what a story it will be.
With all the love a father can give and much love from #MJofLife #Ubuntu #Uhuru
Sulaimon Mojeed-Sanni
End Note: Thank you all for wishing Mukthadir Happy Birthday
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