Another brilliant piece from a GUNNAS WRITING MASTERCLASS writer.
Dear little one inside my tummy,
We are exactly half way there now – five months down, five to go. There are so many people who are excited to meet you. No one more so than me and your Daddy. I often wonder what you will be like. Will you have your Daddy’s courage? Or my eyes, which are the colour of leaves? Either way, one thing’s for sure, there will be no one else quite like you.
But before you make your grand, screaming entrance into this world, I feel the need to tell you something; I feel the need to explain to you how confusing life can be.
You see, little one, from the moment you enter this world there will be expectations of you. In less than a year from now, people will be asking me if you have started to crawl. I want you to know, it’s ok if you haven’t. Because, little one, people’s expectations will only limit your happiness.
So take the time to learn how to crawl, learn how to walk and learn how to talk. I have never met an adult who hasn’t mastered these basic skills, so rest assured, you’ll figure it out in your own good time.
But let this serve as a lesson for the rest of your life, too. As the years pass by and people’s expectations of you increase – remember what I have told you today.
You see, little one, I do not care if you do not fit the mould. I do not care if you do not go to university and seek out a career in the big bad corporate world. I only care that you discover your passion, you live life for your next adventure, and you like the person you see when you catch your own reflection in a shop window. This sounds so simple, yet, little one, in a world full of expectations, where so many people will tell you how you should be living your life, it’s so easy to forget the most simple things.
If you only remember one thing that I tell you today – make it this: money will never buy you happiness; happiness comes from deep within, from living life the way you want, and career success does not reflect life’s success.
In fact, it is the priceless things in life, like family, good health and good times, which you will come to value the most. So, little one, I want you to make me a promise. I want you to promise me you will live life for just one person – for only you. Because life is a gift and a gift comes with no expectations. Use it wisely, little one.
As for me and your Daddy, we promise to teach you the most important of things. We’ll teach you how to love, how to forgive, how to be brave and how to pursue true happiness. And we’ll teach you how to appreciate; Appreciate what you have, appreciate those you love, and to not ask for more than you need.
But for now, little one, rest up and continue to grow. We already love you all the way to the moon and back. The thought of you makes our hearts beat faster, our smile stretch further, and our future seem more exciting. Five months and counting, little one. We can’t wait to meet you.
Love always,
Your Mummy
Xxx
Nicole Thomson-Pride is a freelance writer and mum-to-be who blogs at Splash of Pink.