Hey lovelies!
For those of you who have been following my page for years, you would remember my youngest, Ihsaan, as a little boy. Well this little boy, turns 18 today, a WHOLE EIGHTEEN YEARS!
From the little person who baked with me, the one who learnt to use a digital camera and was my blog photographer for the longest time, to a remarkable young man who has a bustling social life. I have to catch myself each time he goes out, to curb the impulse to draw him close and hold him tight. Whilst he'll always be my baby, he's growing into a young man on his own path. A young man venturing into the world on a path only determined by Divine Guidance ✨
My youngest, who entered our lives and filled it with his own joy and light. As the youngest of 3 boys, he needed to establish his space early on, carving out the role of mediator for his two older brothers. He also filled in as goalkeeper for them for most of his toddlerhood, being too little to play soccer 'properly'.
He grew up on the soccer field every single weekend, aged only a few months, he would be bundled up against the elements to watch his older brothers. Naturally his love of sport grew, being a little kid who could not sit still, who never walked anywhere and would sprint instead. It follows that we spent a good deal of his childhood at emergency rooms with broken bones, sprains and assorted injuries through the years. His range of interests so aptly mirrors his enquiring mind, his love of cooking, baking, travelling, engaging with people from different cultures, reading and his deep well of random facts. When he was young we would jokingly refer to him as the 'auditor' as he needed everything to have order, to be neat and tidy, and his room and wardrobe would reflect it. And yet, he's been a considerate, easy going, relaxed teenager through the most turbulent adolescent years.
I marvel at how his mind works, how intuitive he is, his kindness and compassion a constant in all his engagements. This young man has made us so proud, in so many ways; one of the most remarkable is how he treats others and how loved he is by so many. We raise our kids and guide them, so that they may go into world as generous, considerate and strong individuals, without being arrogant. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this young man is respectful, charming, engaging, caring and an all round sweety pie (and yes I guess I may be heavily biased) 💕💕💕💕
I dedicate this to my youngest, who has now stepped over threshold into adulthood...
My darling Ihsaan,
Dubbed our 'ou mannejtie' from the earliest age,
Your old soul spoke to me in so many ways,
Conscious of an unspoken bond,
Not only of mother and son,
But also of fellow spirits who recognise themselves in the other,
Who can communicate and feel without words.
It boggles the mind that you're teetering on the brink
Of adulthood, entering the world to make your way.
I know you'll be an asset, a leader, a light;
Embraced into the bosom of society,
With your unique wit and uncanny sense of humour,
Which brightens any space you join.
You so charmingly carve your way into the hearts
Of all who encounter you;
Your radiant smile illuminating the darkest corners.
My son, my last-born, my shadow;
You are powerfully paving a path,
So Extraordinary, so Distinctive,
Your dreams are unafraid,
And unapologetic.
I pray that you remain protected as you journey
On this often jarring trail,
That you heed and draw Divine guidance close,
That you fill your conscious moments
With Gratitude,
Your spare time with Benevolence,
And your heart and life with
❤ LOVE ❤
My wish for you is that you remain steadfast, in your quest and hunger for knowledge and growth, in all spheres of your life.
Happy 18th Birthday!
With lots and lots of love,
Mum xoxo
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| You've certainly taken our family into a new direction |
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| Your first birthday |
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| Always smiling |
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| You love the little cousins |
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| Smiling again... |
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| Always searching for your older brothers |
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| Out little 'ou mannetjie' |
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| Your absolute favorite vacation spot since you were little |
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| Your two role models |
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| A young man in the making |
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| You're a child of the world, travel runs through your veins |
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| Another favourite travel adventure |
Ciao for now,
Rubexoxo
