Dearest Azmu,
It’s your sixth birthday today! My first born and the one who gave me the title of a mother six years ago. Ever since that first moment you were placed in my arms, our lives have changed. Once completely dependent on dad and I, you’ve now started to make your way into the world, with a little more independence and so much more confidence. And as we watch you grow, I hope you know mum and dad will be always with you, at every step.
Birthday party celebrations
The last year has been a little difficult and a little crazy thanks to the pandemic. You celebrated your unicorn themed 5th birthday at home with close family, and as much as we wanted to celebrate this year with your grandparents in the UK, we haven’t been able to travel to do so. However, you’ve been understanding and the guilt has meant dad and I want to throw a smallish- over-the-top (is that even a word?) birthday party at home here for you. You’ve chosen it to be space themed. Isn’t that so grown-up like already?
No travel this summer has meant lots of play time at home with your little brother Azu. You two sure do have your disagreements, and we both know Azu loves to annoy you just to get a reaction. However, your day isn’t complete without each other. Together you two are a team. You want to read books together, have bubble baths together and run wild in the malls too. Dad and I do say that you are like a second ‘mum’ to your baby brother, and you love taking that responsibility very seriously. You get upset when he is feeling down, you look after him when we are not around, like to include him during your online learning and you definitely enjoyed being part of his 2nd birthday party plan.
New you, new school
This new year you will be starting primary school, having graduated through the foundation years. I am a little anxious about how you will settle down, and what the long school hours will mean for you. However, you are resilient. I know you will go on to make new friendships, show kindness to your peers, win over your teachers and keep me entertained with lots of stories on our car journeys back home.
You are getting excellent at reading words and sentences, and can now read your own kids menu at the restaurant. You are able to write well, although need to work on your handwriting and spellings a little. It’s not just literacy and numeracy, you are learning how to join arabic letters together when reading, and even started an online coding class this year. You tried ice skating for the first time, and loved it. You love going on grocery shopping trips with dad, returning back with candies or ice -cream (from Gulam-bhai! #iykyk). Infact, you and dad are always making plans of going on a street food adventure and making Youtube videos about your experince. You enjoy spending time with mummy in the kitchen and are always asking if you can help ‘cook’ something easy, and making new episodes of ‘Azmu’s kitchen’.
Your personality
I love watching how confident you are. You have no problems approaching staff at the restaurants or malls to ask for things like extra ketchup or straws. At the same time, you don’t hold back on being a little daring either. You are not the least bit worried jumping off from sofas, riding your bike at extreme speeds, and copying (death-defying) movie stunts. You are extremely kind towards animals too. I definitely enjoy watching you talk to them, try to feed them and your eagerness at riding on horses and stroking cats.
Everyday is filled with adventure when you are around. It’s full of smiles, happiness and cuddles. Alhamdullilah. You are forever bursting with so many questions to ask, and if you are not asking, you are definitely thinking about them. It’s your curiosity that keeps us entertained and ensure we never have one single boring day.
And so, no matter whether you are sweet six or sweet sixteen, I know life will always be adventurous with you around. So stay adventurous and live your life to the fullest.
Happy Birthday Azmu.
Love Mummy and Papa
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If you have enjoyed reading this letter, you may also enjoy reading the letters I wrote to my daughter on her fifth, fourth, third or second birthday, or even the letter I wrote to my son when he turned two years old this year.
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Disclaimer: All views, opinions and photographs are of my own. They are for personal use only.