My child you are a soul,
A soul all your own.
I thought you were mine for a long, long time,
And then you began to grow.

I found you had talents all your own,
Different favorite colors and foods,
Different ways you dance and speak,
Interests I had never heard of,
Patience I could not conceive,
That you have for me.

It never occurred to me
That it is you teaching me,
As I teach you forward,
You bring me back.

Back to simple, basic love.
Back to grilled cheese sandwiches,
And a renewed appreciation for peanut butter.
You reminded me how good vanilla ice cream is
And that I could eat it and chase you for hours and never feel stuffed,
Yet I am always satisfied.

My sweet love, my child, my heart,
You expanded all that I know.
I live my childhood again with you, in a way I remember the best of me.
Your heart loving me, when I am not so sure about how things are in the world,
And I know the world has a great chance
Just because I know you, and you are part of our world.

I give to you, my child, my heart.
I give to you my love.
My love that I could never give enough of.
My love that understands it's existence with you.
My love that taught me eternal love.
My soul that wants to preserve your love of self, of me.

Without compromising your love of learning,
Your self esteem
Your confidence,
I thank God for the wisdom to know this while I have you, while you can here.
Knowing the words of my love live forever in your heart,
I trust life to know that love can only breed more love.

My child, my heart.
We are all children.
As I am a child, too.
I understand what I yearned for
And I give to you the yearnings of support,
And I live in your growth.
May you live in mine
With the understanding, we are on the same side,
The side of life and love.
May we join each other in our souls as we have joined in our journeys.

Love,
Mama

Written by Nadia Khalil