For My Son, On Your Third Birthday

My boy, the last three years have passed by in a blur. Time flies when you are having fun they say. I cannot believe have fast you have grown. I still remember this day three years ago when I counted down the hours until I met you. I have always been slightly agnostic when it comes to miracles. I haven’t been on the receiving end of them. However, on 29 October 2010, I discovered that miracles do exist. Your life was a testimony of God’s love for me.

You have turned my world upside down. Your spiritedness, your fiery nature (much like your mother’s) and a smile that melts my heart, makes me believe that you were brought into my life for a reason, and that no matter how hard life gets and how things change or how often I am hurt, I believe that your life will be a constant reminder that good things do happen and that I have been favoured.

I would love to believe that the values I impart on you will make you become the man I know you can be. I believe that my love will carry you through life’s challenges with the knowledge that your existence has a higher purpose on this earth. You have brought immense joy to so many people and I know that your spirit is designed to inspire.

The relationship between a mother and a son is different and even though I often get told “I don’t like you anymore”, I know that you know how much you are loved and I thank God every day for giving me the privilege of calling myself your mother. I will remember this privilege the next time you decide to break all of my lovely statues while playing with your cars on the furniture. I will not dismiss your creativity when you write all over my walls. I will embrace your self-expression when you decide to pee in my garden or colour your face with my make-up. I will allow you to develop your own identity and preferences when you choose to wear pyjama pants and a big coat with sandals on a blisteringly hot day simply because your pants and coat have pockets. I will not crush your spirit when you come to tell me that every single fork I possess has been crammed into the drain and I have to call out a plumber at the cost of a thousand Rand an hour to unblock the drain. I will remember that you are my blessing and I will not punish you for any of these things.

So on your special day son, I want to thank you for teaching me that love at first sight does exist, for giving me the gift of your life and for allowing me to be a mother to you – something that has no price tag attached to it.

Happy birthday my angel!

Have fun tomorrow with your train, bike, guns and sherbet. Everything you asked for in that order ? I promise to not buy you birthday cake because you don’t like cake “anymore”.

Mummy loves you.