Yes, Daughter, You Can Be Anything You Want, My Dear!

A mother wishes so many things for her daughter, things that are not as straightforward as they seem to be. These wishes reflect the love of a mother.

“If I were a fish in the sea, I would wiggle my tail and giggle with glee”.

This was what my daughter was singing while standing in front of a mirror. I peeped into the room and joined her, to sing, “Even I wish to be a fish!”

She quickly around to me and said “No! I wish I can be a doctor, or a teacher or maybe a princess! What do you want me to be?”

“I am sure you can be anything you want my dear,” I said as I hugged her.

But it got me thinking, what do I wish for my child? No, I don’t mean career wise as I believe I would be more of a facilitator in helping her achieve her choice, but it will have to be her choice. I just mean what do I wish for her in life? As I sat pondering about it, I jotted this down.

I wish you are a beautiful person, not on the outside, 

’cause that the world’s harsh opinions would make you, but on the inside.

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Be someone who understands empathy and care.

I wish you are a warrior, not on the border,

but in a war against social norms.

Be someone who’s not cowed down by social expectations.

Follow your heart and stand up for what you believe in.

I wish you are a spider, persistent in what you want,

and realize it’s okay to fail.

What matters most is not getting it right the first time,

But standing back tall once you fall.

I wish you are a tigress, fierce and strong,

That no amount of dirty looks and horrific acts can affect you.

And finally I wish you always know,

that it’s okay to feel bogged down and lost.

You might think that you are drowning,

but have the strength to talk about it with your family.

Because no matter what, we will always love you.

All you need to do is call and I will be there my darling.

I might not be able to wish away the troubles,

’cause those are your battles and you will have to fight them on your own.

But I can give you an embrace of surety, a kiss of confidence and a lap to cry out all you want.

I wish you believe that no matter what, there will always be a new day and a new beginning.”

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Image source: ASIM CHAUDHURI on flickr – Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

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