So you’re turning Nine!
Nine is not considered a milestone year normally. It’s not your first, nor fifth which is normally a big celebration.
Nine is that birthday which is usually low key with the excuse that we will have a grand tenth birthday party. After all, that’s the first time you’ll go double digits.
But nine according to me - is significant.
Nine is exactly that moment when you are half your way to being an adult.
Adult. That’s a big word.
The memory of you born nine years back is still so fresh that imagining you nine years later as an adult is something I don’t have words to describe the feeling.
Thinking of you as an adult is scary, worrisome but most importantly sad.
Sad?
Ok, like I said, I don’t have the exact word.
When you’ll turn 18, you’ll be eligible to drive, which means I have only 9 years left to drive you around.
You’ll have the right to vote, which means not only will you have a valid opinion, but it will be considered legal too, so probably I won't be able to influence your thoughts and decisions like I do now.
You can find a job, and work professionally.
Which means you could be financially independent. (Don’t worry, I’m not hinting at anything). But on a serious note, you won’t always need to come to me for every small expense and you would be able to buy things that I say no to - with your own money.
Besides the privileges of being an adult, there are something’s that go beyond what you are allowed to do just legally.
In the next few years…
You might want to go abroad and study.
You might have a few heartbreaks.
You could possibly have found what your calling in life is.
Like most teens and young adults, there will be days when you probably will feel lost, not good enough, incapable, unsuccessful, frustrated and so much more.
You might win and not celebrate the way you should.
You might have a lot and yet think it’s not good enough.
On certain days, you might feel - not so beautiful. A pimple could bother you. A few extra pounds might shatter your confidence.
A few harsh words could impact you deeply, anger you, and (I pray not) …change you.
And the more I think about the next few years, the more I realize that - I’m losing you.
One of these days (and the scary part is we will never know which one) in the next few years will be a series of ‘lasts’.
The last time you might fall asleep in my lap.
The last time you put your head on my shoulder to cry on.
The last time you will want to sleep in our room.
The last time you would want to ‘willingly’ come for a vacation with us.
Or maybe a willingly to a movie with us. Or a dinner party. Or a family gathering.
The last time you will want us to come and drop you at school.
The last time you would depend on us to take you to someplace you want to go.
The last time you would trust our fashion choices, or for that matter any of our choices.
The last time you’d want to cuddle up and watch a cartoon movie at home with us. (Oh that ones already gone I guess)
I’m losing time… fast…really fast.
This ninth year is that inflection point when things can either turn downwards or upwards.
So here’s what we want to tell you.
If something’s bothering you,
There’s a lap still waiting for you.
If there’s sadness,
There's a shoulder you can cry on and rely on.
If there’s loneliness,
There’s a room you don’t need to knock on to enter.
If you think there’s no one,
There are two people for whom you are everyone.
If you’re stuck or fallen,
We are always there to pick you up.
If you’re lost,
We will guide you, with our limited knowledge but all our heart.
If your trust is broken,
We can teach you to find it again.
If you’re stuck with choices (except fashion)
We are always there to hear you out.
And if you’re still in the mood to watch that cartoon movie (or any movie),
A bucket of popcorn will always be waiting.
Nine – Here we go. Bring it on!
Let’s see what this one’s got in store for us.
Happy Birthday, Half Adult!
