A Letter To My Daughter

I am sitting here at my desk toiling away the hours to you. After waiting for ages you are finally and fatefully coming home. Tala, I cannot fully explain all the things that I am feeling right now. Ever since your Mom and I started this escapade of ours, we have been patiently waiting for you. And now we are at the precipice of a lifetime with you. I don’t know how to explain this, everything was unwittingly transformed. It is quite surprising how quickly my perspective has changed. Your coming is like a quick jolt to the head. Suddenly nothing else matters anymore. Abruptly, all those things that I have been religiously reaching for seem so petty now. All that matters is you. Unexpectedly, my world is where it should be. The pieces have fallen into place and I know now where I should go. I am, and forever will be, grateful for chancing upon such beautiful serendipity.

My mind has been racing for stuff that I would like to tell you.
So I made the following list about some things that might be important, lest I forget:



1. Don't trust monkeys. They may seem cute and cuddly but they will steal your glasses and eat them in front of you once they get the chance.
2. Forgive me if I seem overly protective at times. Know that I’m just dead scared that something bad might happen to you.
3. Understand that this is my first time raising a daughter. Know that I'm probably just making rules up as I go along. I probably have no idea what to do most of the time.
4. Dance. Music is the soundtrack of our lives.
5. Know that your mom and I are madly in love with you.
6. Go to the beach. A lot.
7. Be independent in your opinions. If something seems wrong it probably is.
8. Be kind to yourself. Things may not always go according to plan. That's okay.
9. Pray. Pray a lot. Nurture a relationship with God. There will be times in your life when faith and hope will be all you have. Cling to them viciously.
10. Never allow anyone tell you how to serve God. Most of these people don't know what they're talking about.
11. Don't trust boys. They may seem cute and cuddly but they're not. Stay away from them. I mean it.
12. When in a fight, always remember these three things; Speed, Surprise and Violence of Action. Once started, commit to the action.
13. Don't put too much importance on the opinion of others about you. These things do not matter.
14. Stay away from negative people. They are just clutter in your life.
15. Love.
16. Emotions are overrated. Don't let them rule your life. Hold people accountable only for what they did and not how they made you feel.
17. Never try cutting a balloon string with matches. You'll regret it. Trust me.
18. Once a month you are mandated to buy any one toy from the toy store. Choose wisely.
19. Whenever a hard decision comes along go back to the basics. Label things as right and wrong then do the right thing, even if it's hard.
20. There will be times that your Mom and I will disagree. Sorry about that.
21. One day, I will tell you the story of how your mom and I fell for each other. It’s a good one.
22. When in an ambush, get out of the kill zone at whatever cost.

23. Forgive yourself.
24. Once in a while read a good book.
25. Never ever start smoking. You’ll regret it bigtime.
26. Don't get drunk, especially around boys.
27. Play. Have fun. Life is supposed to be, and is, beautiful.
28. You can try climbing mountains. It's a great way to clear your head. Maybe someday we can climb together, if I'm not that old when that time comes.
29. When it is time for you to choose your partner, never force it. This choice must come freely and naturally. Listen to fate. Be glad even if things don’t happen the way you thought they would.
30. Don't ride carabaos. They freak out easily and run when scared.
31. Know that everything, and I mean everything, happens for a reason.
32. Be humble.
33. Someday let’s share a beer together.
34. Love your mom. She has been through a lot.
35. Love me more.

You'll probably figure out that you can get almost anything you want because your Mom and I are such suckers for you. Be gentle with us. Please.

Having said that, all we have to do now is wait. Wait for the day when we will finally meet each other. Let us start this lifetime of a journey. We will be seeing you very soon Tala.