It is said that a mother carries her baby for much longer than nine months. I have done the same. I still carry you when you run and fall. I wipe your tears when you come to me as it hurts. I wonder if you’ll come to me when your heart breaks and it hurts like never before. At times when you’re broken, I’ll be there for you, now and forever.

I notice you sitting cross-legged for the first time, my tiny lady. You ask me questions about the whole universe, expecting me to know all the answers. I try my best to answer the “why”, “what”, “who”, and “where” of all things. I wonder if you’ll look for life’s answers with such poise. At times when you’re lost, I’ll be there trying my best to show you a path, now and forever.

You tell me a “big” secret in my ears and no one else in the room should know. You tell me a joke that I’ve heard several times before. Yet I laugh because I want to see you laugh. I wonder if you’ll let me in your life’s secrets soon enough, if you’ll believe I’d even understand. At times when you need to talk, I’ll be there to listen, now and forever.

You run to me when I pick you up from playschool. You tell me excitedly about your bright day. You run to me even when you’ve had a horrible day and silently cry onto my chest. I wonder if you’d be strong to face failures as life comes with its own ups and downs. At times when you fail, I’ll be your safe place, now and forever.

While out shopping, you tell me assertively that you want the red toy, and not the blue one. Back at home, you stick to the carrots, taking each piece of broccoli out of your plate. As I give up trying, I wonder if you’ll be so sure of your choices once you’re a grown up woman. If you’ll strive to achieve what you want, what you believe in, without having to make excuses for yourself. At times when you’re in doubt, I’ll be your pillar, now and forever.

I make your hair and put a pink clip here and a purple band there. You look in the mirror and smile so confidently. You even ask me to take a picture of you because you believe you look beautiful, and oh yes you do! I wonder if you’ll ever doubt the way you look or find faults in your body when you face the mirror. At times when you’re down, I’ll be there to lift you up, now and forever.

You stand with pride as you dress yourself on your own for the very first time without my help. God bless my child growing up so quickly. I think of the day when you’ll dress up as a bride. All grown up and ready for a new life. With even more pride on your special day, I’ll be there to bless you, now and forever.

My baby girl, right now, I know you. I know your choices, your wounds, your fights, your friends, your days, your nights, your fears, and your strengths. As you move along life’s journey from being my baby to a wonderful lady, I will always remember that you introduced me to the most beautiful chapter of my life—motherhood. At all times, my darling, I’ll be there to shower love, now and forever. 

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