MESSAGE TO MYSELF (on the eve of SONEE'S first birthday)

"Your children are not your children:
They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,For their souls dwell in the house of
tomorrow,which you cannot visit,not even in your dreams.You may strive to be like them,but seek not to make them like you...."
                                         -Children by Kahlil Gibran
On your first birthday dear, I promise you and myself that the quest to be only your companion in this journey called life will always persist.
It is a pleasure being your parent and though it is commonly believed that children must obey and follow parents, I will request you to only grant me respect due to my years and experience and not due to a biological compulsion.
I wish that you live your life on your own terms,learn from your own mistakes,but always come back to me for reference and love.
I wish that you grow up to be a confident young lady who is fearless and determined and will always follow her heart.
I wish that you follow your dreams,learn from failures and overcome all your shortcomings with perseverance.
lots of love always.