A Letter To My Teenage Sons

Dear Sons,

You are both growing up so fast, soon to be adults. You have big dreams, and I can only be proud. Dreaming is where it all starts, and I am blessed to witness how your dreams and aspirations evolve from being a car-window cleaner, a singer, an author, a food critic, a marine biologist, a stage actor, to being a film maker and a professional soccer player. There will always be days that will be challenging than the rest, welcome them. Those days will make you stronger and wiser. So when you hear me cheer at the top of my lungs during a soccer game or wanting to record your beautiful singing or how you wonderfully play a musical instrument or post your achievements in social media, please don’t be embarrassed. Know that I am with you every step of the way and I am just being me, your number 1 fan.

One of the fondest memories that I often go back to are those nights when I read you stories to sleep – truly priceless. With a book on my hand and an engaging voice, I never fail to capture your full attention. That was me, not just teaching you how to read and how to love books but also eager to listen to your every question, amazed at how the stories we read awaken your imagination. I am glad to have invested my time on those book and story times. Listening to you now, I am just in awe of how you express your thoughts, how you grasp what is happening around you and the world and how sensible and wise your views are of life in general. There are times that your views may be different from mine now and we sometimes do not see each other eye to eye and that is fine, but know that I will always be here to remind you that reason and intellect are not enough. Sometimes we need to listen to our hearts, unafraid to be vulnerable and see things with compassion for others more than anything else.

The mundane daily life can keep us busy, always on the go. School work, our 9-5 jobs, after-school activities, weekend stuff, house chores – more than enough to fill our calendars. That is us living and enjoying life basically. No one can deny the fact that the demands of life can be physically exhausting. With me and dad not getting any younger, there are days when we can feel the muscles and the joints starting to complain. Those are the times when you hear my voice echoing in the house looking for help. It can be easier to do stuff myself than asking and waiting for someone to turn off his headphones to do a chore, but if I do that, I won’t be doing you both a favour. Living in a country where we don’t have the option of a household help or a nanny has been beneficial in more ways than one. Now you know how to look after yourselves but just needs a bit of a push with all the distractions from technology. Know that I will never get tired of competing for attention just how my mom never stopped nagging me when I was your age to help out with chores – I thank her for that and I know you’ll be grateful for me too for the same reason someday.

You both are taller than me now and I hate it when you call me ‘shorty’. I sometimes find myself staring at you both from afar, my gorgeous boys, asking myself where has time gone. I sometimes tease you about girls and want to hear you talk about your crushes or your inspirations but you also hear me say ‘no girlfriend please until you are 30!’ Contradicting I know, but it is just the mom in me and my selfish reasons. I know your hearts have been broken once or twice and I am grateful that you have opened up your heart to me and your dad on those occasions. I hope those times won’t make you afraid of loving again and of being loved. Love is the most beautiful thing and it should come with respect. You will meet wonderful girls along the way, but know that what I have been praying for is that when the time comes when you meet that someone whom God has been preparing to be your partner in life, that you be ready to share her your love, care and respect.

As most teenagers do, I hear you wanting more and more independence as the days go by. I perfectly understand that, but independence and responsibility go hand in hand. My role is not to be your best friend but to be the best mother that I can be. My role is to say ‘no’ at times if that would mean nurturing you, encouraging you and leading you by example. When the time comes for you to spread your wings, to fly and leave the nest, I will cry, maybe cry a lot, you know I will…. but know that after I am done with crying, I will be at peace and confident that my boys, my gorgeous boys, will be just fine. For now, enjoy the company, love and care of a mother who can be annoying at times, but who adores you more than anything in this world!

Love,

Mom xx

P.S.

I have been awake for an hour now and still in bed… i can smell the bacon and that’s making me hungry.. so where’s the breakfast in bed??

The fancy breakfast in bed arrived after a few minutes with lovely flowers, tight hugs and lots of kisses. Now, my day is complete!

To all the mothers of all ages, shapes and sizes, to all human beings who give their whole hearts into nurturing and caring the life or lives of another human being that has been entrusted to them, animal, plant and everything else – cheers to you! Celebrate motherhood and the wonderful person that you are. Happy Mother’s Day!