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You are 8 and a great mate!

           


          You turn 8 today and its been a while since I last wrote to you. But its a happy day so Let’s just focus on the positives for now.

To say that you have grown up is neither stating the obvious nor overstating. You are already about 140 cm and you actually understand what this unit means. If asked nicely, you'd easily convert it into a decimal representation of meters, kilo meters as well as a fraction too. You understand enough about H.A.M.O.P.S. to spin together a few creative words on what being tall for your age feels like ( note to self - that's a good topic for you to actually write on).


You are a good swimmer for your age group, and maybe the next one, as well as an avid athlete. So not at all a lazy log like me ( see, I did a few alliterations there!). You are a promising tennis player with some interest in other sports as well. You are not exactly a keen reader (yet) but you like listening to audio books as well as being entertained by videos with imaginative themes - still steering clear of anything too sad or scary.


The best part about your growing up though, selfishly speaking, is a budding partner I can see in you. Very recently, you started sitting next to me in my car  -a small step from the rear passenger seat but a giant leap from a passive passenger to an active co- traveller. We listen to audio books and songs together and discuss the nuances. Outside of journeys too, you have started sharing my duties just like with feeding and taking care of Sky. 


We are generally gravitating towards a certain balance in our relationship- or so I would like to believe and aspire. When we are studying, I am the strict Dad and teacher. At other times, I hope and wish you are more open and frank with me. Of course this will be an ever developing balance but I hope we continue on the journey of journeys fully aware where our band needs to be. 


I didn't get you a birthday card today but this will be my wordful wishes for you, hopefully in your hands in the next hours.


Dear Daughter,

A Very Happy Birthday.

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