When I was 8ys old mom
put my tiny hands on her big belly and asked me if I wanted a brother or a
sister, I always said ‘Sister!’ Always. With so many cousins around all the
time, I was tired of boys. I needed a girl in my life, a cute lil sister whom I
could dress up or play with dolls or whatever that is that lil girls do (I
never really got a chance to find out).
After sooooo much
hoping, one fine day, they said “You have a brother”. I was there the day you
were born, I heard the aunts giggle and exclaim how cute you were. And I remember the first day I set eyes on
you. So tiny, innocent, so angelic and I forgot all about wanting a sister. I
thought, oh well, this one’s cute too. Might work.
And then, you started
to grow up and they made me responsible for y-o-u (what were they thinking!).
You chewed up my few dolls, dismantled the radio, hid in places where the human
eye couldn’t see, fell and scraped off what used to be skin on your knee,
terrified me by climbing trees that you had no idea how to get off of, came
home almost too dusty to be seen, annoyed me with silly questions about
everything and then argued when I did give you a sensible answer. You were the
most insane person I knew on the face of earth! Who else would have a “missing”
report filed with the police! And you were finally found sleeping under a huge
pile of freshly washed clothes! Or who would catch bugs and put it in their
pockets and go off to sleep with bugs infesting the bed! The worst part was
everyone thought I was irresponsible! Phew! I had an exhausting childhood
chasing after you!
In spite of all your
devilish behavior, you were my little buddy, I cuddled you, I saw you take your
first step, I carried you around everywhere, and pointed to things and taught
you words, lots of words. So many you
were reading above your grade level and explaining to adults your accurate
theories as to why the dinosaurs disappeared or why the clouds were formed! You
were my secret keeper, my advisor, my best friend, my bodyguard (even at 3 feet
tall weighing 20 kilos you would bully the boys who looked at me!). You were my
team; whenever you did silly crazy stupid things I always always thought how
much I love this lil guy.
And even after these 18
years, that is still so true.
So, now that you are
allegedly an adult here is a list of
everything I wanted to tell you. I know you will like some, follow some, laugh
at some but ignore most of it. But still, here is the list anyways:
1.
Don't get into bikes/cars driven by
people who are drunk or weird.
2.
Understand that your happiness is
inextricably tied to the happiness of your family. If they are not happy, then
you'll not be happy. You are very lucky to have a loving family. Try to
remember this when they get on your nerves.
3.
Understand that the more people know
about a subject, the more humble they'll sound.
4.
If you constantly overdo the booze,
you'll end up either dying or having to lose respect. Drink wise.
5.
Don't be negative. Whining is for people
who want to blame others for their troubles, because it's easier than finding
their own way forward.
6.
Never get into a fight with your family
and loved ones. Apologize. Make peace. They will not always be there.
7.
Don't be tight with your money when it
comes to your friends or charity.
8.
Surround yourself with people who bring
out your best side; people in whose company you become fabulous, funny or wise;
avoid people in whose company you become boring or sad.
9.
Never Stop Learning.
10.
Never settle for less than you feel you
absolutely deserve.
11.
Money is important. Before you spend
money, ask yourself if you really need that thing. Savings will allow you
freedom to afford what really means the most to you, whether it is to travel,
or the freedom to have the career you choose. Stop buying useless things and
gifts for people. Make memories instead.
12.
Follow your passion.
13.
It is natural to be afraid. Courage is
ignoring the fear and doing things anyway. Be courageous.
14.
Frame every so-called disaster with
these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
15.
However good or bad a situation is, it
will change.
16.
Be true to yourself, not the person you
think everyone else thinks you should or could be.
17.
Embrace your faults. It will only make
you stronger once you admit you are not always right.
18.
Get rid of the attitude. Confidence is
cool but cockiness is not.
19.
Pay attention to those that matter to
you. Spend the time with them while you can. Don't be in a hurry to grow up,
trust me, you'll wake up one day and wonder how is it that you're not 18
anymore.
20.
Laugh often. Have fun. Always.
At 18, the world is at
your feet. Live, achieve and be happy. This life - is your journey. Make it a
good one that you can be proud of.
This is for you :)
I
carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)
I
am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by
only me is your doing, my darling)
I
fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)
I
want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and
it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and
whatever a sun will always sing is you
Here
is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here
is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree
called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and
this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
I
carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)
~
E.E.Cummings
P.S: I love you. I
always will :) Happy Birthday lil man :)
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