Our rock turns 50!!!

This space has been neglected for a long time, but it remains my place of memories, of inspiration and more importantly honouring my loved ones.

 Today I honour my biggest support and rock...

He's made 50 trips around the sun, a half a century of memories and 27 of them with me at his side.  I am eternally grateful to my Creator for placing such a kind, considerate and loving person on my path. 

Happy birthday Mr Awesum!!

Officially, we have spent more than half your life together, building a life, which later included our three most precious additions. We have built businesses, experienced pain, failures, successes, adventured, learnt and grown together. We're both no longer the same persons we were back then; we have fought internal battles, external struggles, and picked each other up when the other has fallen down.

On this golden anniversary of your birth, we celebrate your life, the highs, the achievements, the laughs, the special moments and every single triumph of your existence. You've played such a huge role in my own growth, you have inspired me and shown me how to embrace and focus on the lighter side of life .

We have made the most treasured memories, and nurtured cherished traditions within our little family unit. I pray that we will be blessed with many more, and that the years ahead are as joyful and filled with love and respect. You have a wonderful sense of humour, are instantly liked by many, while also quietly sheltering your sensitive and empathetic side. You are a precious gift we have been blessed with 💕Algamdulilah 💕 

Mr B, as you are affectionately known...

You are my beam of light on the dark roads

I sometimes find myself traversing, 

You bring your whole heart, ready to serve,

Ready to sacrifice and celebrate others. 

Your place on this earth has been Divinely Ordained 

Beside me, 

Brilliantly guiding our unit,

Through stormy seas, and navigating us

onto calmer, lighter waters. 

I am in awe of your intrinsic instinct

To always put others first, 

To always want to do good in this world.

You are a refreshing cool presence in a world

Thats burning with injustice, 

Thats being engulfed by flames of ambition. 

And yet, you remain the humble, unassuming,

Gentle leader steering our young crew members through 

along on their missions placed on their voyages.

I am honoured to be your First Mate

on this expedition called LIFE.

May your path be lit with as much delight which you bring to ours.

We love you unconditionally, "to infinity and beyond"

Happy birthday, my love.

27 years of togetherness

Birthday Boy!!

Always present for every event with our young men

Bonding time with the boys started at an early age

Caio for now,
RuBe xoxo

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My first-born turns 21

Hi lovelies, 

My regular readers would know that I've been swamped and hence my posts have been few and far between this year. It's unbelievable the pace at which things have been going this year, and everything I have been involved in has meant very little time for my blog. 

But, there is no other time like the 21st birthday of my first-born to force me to sit down, and take a moment to pay tribute to this milestone, for both him and us as parents.

It's really not a walk in the park, parenting in today's society, and yet it is most rewarding and fulfilling. It is one of the most important gifts and responsibilities which has been Divinely bestowed upon me. And with these past two weeks being fraught with emotion, critique and hate speech around gender based violence, I feel the responsibility weigh even heavier on my shoulders. To ensure that these young men, will model behaviour seen in the home, integrate it into who they are and take it into the world and their lives going forward. I pray each day that they are able to withstand the challenges that life throws at them with Grace, and with the consciousness of being respectful of ALL individuals at ALL times. And living the best version of themselves always ❤️

I became a parent at the tender age of 21, so my 42nd birthday was an extra special one, as Ziyaad wished me, he said "Happy 2nd 21st birthday Mom". It was an emotional time, where I was extremely nostalgic and as I reflected upon all the trials we weathered together as parents. I looked at our nuclear family and felt an immense sense of achievement; as any parent knows, having young adults in the home is extremely challenging and yet it has also enabled the greatest growth for me as an individual. Provided I am open to learning from these young men, open to listening to their viewpoints and acknowledging that the world has changed from what I know. 

When we discussed celebrating this young man, we debated so many options for his birthday, and we settled on no big bash and just a trip with mom (since our birthdays are literally 3 days apart). And as the time drew near for our trip, his campus schedule was so full, he was unable to get away, so it then quickly turned into a last minute dash to put together a birthday celebration. And from there, all my attention was focused on planning his party with very little time for his tribute. 

So Ziyaad, this is for you:

As you enter the next phase of your life, 

May you always remain steadfast

In your unwavering quest to be yourself.

I pray that your life is filled with more moments

to treasure than those which create angst.

You are an example to all of being fearlessly authentic,

Walking your path in your way, 

Regardless of the pressures of society. 

Hold your head high as you traverse this world, 

Always confident and crystal in your vision.

You are about to enter the world as an adult, 

Please remember to keep the fire of that young kid alive, 

Never allow the trials of life to dictate your orientation,

And,

Stay the course as you find your way, follow your passion,

And live your purpose. 

You have shown me what courage means, 

you have taught me the strength of LOVE, 

And above all,

You have shared your heart, your gentleness and joy with us,

For this we are eternally grateful,

Keep shining my son.

And we'll always be here to recharge those batteries ♥️

Some pics of our celebration of this young man:

Baby brother saying a few words

Younger brother paying his tribute

Dad representing me as well (I was wayyy to emotional to talk)

24 years married and boy we've weathered a lot!

Putting the finishing touches to his speech

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My baby, My baby, My baby turns 16!!

Ziyaad, 

Your first birthday party

I can still remember the day you were born… Two weeks late, and we were eagerly awaiting your arrival. Dad And Mum, could not wait to meet this little person who would enter our lives to make it  brighter, fuller, challenging and so fulfilling.  

Your 7th birthday (2005)

2010 World Cup

Delivering your speech at your aunts wedding (2012)

(2013)

(2013)

From the moment you were born, you were a passive little person, 

An independent little being finding your own way,

In your own way.

 Anticipated and loved by so many before your debut into this world,

When you entered our universe, we lost our hearts,

And the ability to function self centeredly.

You made an impactful presence, 

A joyful prescence,

The presence of our love 

Manifested in another living person.

You transformed from that loveable, sensitive little toddler, 

Into a gentle, thoughtful young man.

Navigating your own place in the world.

Pounding at the boundaries whilst we try to keep them in place.

Debates have become the bane of my life

But the pride in seeing you expand,

In character, in personality and stature,

Have made them all worthwhile.

Our son, our first big building block,

May you find your purpose.

May you follow the path and stay true,

For all we strive for

Is happiness for you.

You are our first born, and therefore many of our firsts in this uncertain world of parenting. And while you may occasionally feel that we don’t understand, or know what you’re going through; know that we’re also just doing the best we can. My wish is for you to follow your dreams, your destiny, to always remember that you’re a young Muslim man, and soon to be captain of your own ship.

Eid 2014

With Lots of Love, 

Mum & Dad

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