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Letter to My 10-year-old Daughter

"Blackpink cake", as per requested...😅😅

To My Darling BuBu,

   You’ve reached the 1st decade of your life. YAY!! Welcome to your first double digit birthday, the one who has to grow up and experience everything with me, the one who saw the inexperienced version of me, who sees my mistakes and still sticks to me through it all. Thank you for showing me true, unconditional love through all the tears and laughter.

     I don’t believe in leaving legacies for next generations. To me, what we leave in them is more important. Though I brought you into this world, I believe that it’ll always be your choice to choose which path in life you want to take. I can only try my best to nurture, to guide, to support, to give you the security, to create as many memories, and with these foundations, I hope they will help you to know yourself better, to equip you to face the world and to make a difference in your future life. Like I always say, no one can play our role better than ourselves, so don’t let others dictate your life or define your success. Go find your own dreams, passions, chase them, spread your wings and soar, explore the endless possibilities and form relationships along the way that will help you navigate your journey in life. Don’t stop learning, asking questions and observing. Those are what help us gain knowledge, think, see things and people, especially the unspoken truth, because it’s not the words they say, but their actions and what they don’t say that matter most.

     As you are heading towards preteen, you’ll start to see changes no doubt, not only physically, but mentally too. Don’t be afraid to embrace them. The world is constantly changing, so we should see, learn, adapt and move forward along with it. Remember that time waits for no one. If we refuse to change, we’ll just be left behind. As your body changes, remember these words: I AM THE BOSS OF MY BODY. IT’S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE GOOD CARE AND PROTECT IT. When somebody or certain actions make you uncomfortable, say no and walk away. May it be someone you know, or a relative asking for a hug, if it makes you uncomfortable, just say No. Yes, it may be awkward or considered rude, but don’t worry, I will take your side, each and every time, and say, “It’s totally fine, BuBu, you don’t have to.” I can tell them off too, if needed, because I believe if it’s someone close whom we trust, or have a good relationship with, this gesture comes naturally. If it doesn’t, it simply shows we aren’t that close. I know it takes a lot of guts to say no, but do learn to stand up for yourself, speak your mind and protect yourself from things that make you nervous. I’m telling you this because there might be a day you’ll find yourself somehow in an uncomfortable situation involving your body, so I’m going to repeat this while I’m still here with you: I am the Boss of my body, and have the ability to walk away, without obligation and guilt. No one, and I mean ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, can tell you what you have to do with your body. Period.

     Remember that I will try my best to always walk alongside you, as long as you want or need me to. I will still hold you whenever you want me to. I will still hold you, like you were a baby because you are still my baby and will always be my baby. I will still hold you, though you can walk, run and carry your own things. I will still hold you, though some may say it’s too much. I will still hold you, though you are at my shoulder’s height already. Because this ‘baby’ with height and cool clothes will one day carry herself by choice, and may choose to be held or carried in the arms of someone other than me.

     So, no matter what you choose to do in the future, where you are, what challenges you meet, what obstacles you encounter, what success you achieve, what happiness you want to share, or whenever you just want someone to spoil you, I’ll always welcome you with open arms. I can’t promise to be here for the rest of your life but I promise to love you for the rest of mine. I’ll cherish, support and guide you to the best I can, as long as I can, and even if I’m not around, know that my love will stay with you forever, because you are forever my Darling BuBu.


Love,

MuMu

P.S: I am looking forward to write you another when you reach the 2nd decade of your life 😘

 


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