Open Letter to My Son on Graduation

Dear Son,

I?have envisioned your graduation?day?since the day we dropped to University of Bath, 4 years and perhaps even longer. And then,?seeing you in your tux looking so handsome?as you walked with your class down the abbey, I had a lump in my tears in my eyes today, graduation day is upon us.?A mother’s tears are complicated, son. Those tears you see on monumental days aren’t so much sorrow as they are excitement, anticipation, and the purest love any human can ever know.?Just when you think your cup can’t get fuller… it overflows. Gratitude, joy, pride, love are abundant in my heart today.?

Funny thing, my beautiful son, I think I was more emotional on your first day of undergrad than any time before. I hugged you, got in the car, drove way leaving you waving to me and a million memories flooded my mind. The day you were born. Your first tooth. Your first tantrum. Your first girlfriend. But on your first day of senior year, you were no longer the child I use to snuggle tight with promises that everything will alright. Now you were no longer a boy, but a young man. I was all emotional.

I’ve been blessed by having the opportunity to watch you grow from?an incredibly cute small child into a handsome young man.?As you mom, I want believe in you to realize your full potential?and make a difference, regardless of your career.?So go on to change the world, because the best way to predict the future is to invent it.?Your Pa & I, your grandparents,?your uncles, aunts and?cousins and your whole extended family — could not possibly be?any prouder of you than we are today!

Now as I stand here with you on another milestone, I?know this one involves big change. This milestone isn’t about just?growing up, it’s about being a grown-up. As a parent, this moment?causes me the most pride and the most pain. My brain is full of?excitement and wonder for you, but my heart feels something?different. I know the magnitude of the milestone and I know?what follows.

Today, son,?in honour of?your graduation,?I want to share some advice from my life experiences and?give you some?gifts

I pass on to you the advice I got?from my dad in my graduation: Never let money be the primary motivator for?what you decide to do. Success is not measured by your job, your?education, how much money you have or what kind of car you drive.?So, what is it? Let me share with you the piece of advice that your Nanu (maternal grandfather) shared with me on my graduation.?

He told me, “I’m not going to tell you that it’s not about money, cause money is very nice. I like money. It’s good for buying things, living a provided life.?But having a lot of money does not automatically make you?successful person. What you want is money and meaning. You want?your work to be meaningful. Because meaning is what brings the real?richness to your life. What you really want is to be surrounded by?people you trust and treasure and by people who cherish you. That’s?when you are really rich”.?This has been my code and has never failed me… so passing it on to you to Live the life of meaning and keep Nanu’s is rich legacy alive.?

Believe, Dream, Explore, Learn - Be beautifully YOU! You are my?greatest gift. And though you see me cry today, rest assured my tears are?anticipation of the journey that is ahead for you. Your life has a purpose. You will do beautiful things.?Never stop believing in yourself, never?lose sight of those dreams and never?compromise anything to reach them.

Having said that, remember that life is made up of a?lot of small journeys and you want to strive to make them as?enjoyable, interesting and rewarding as possible. When you embark on a journey you never know what will happen along the way and?where it will end up, which, at least to me, is incredibly fascinating.?Regardless of the path you choose we know you’ll be fine. But?pursue something you really want to do although it is not always easy?to know what that is…. So keep finding, keep learning till you find it.

Be your unique self, to explore, to learn more, to make mistakes, to fail.?Make good decisions and we know too that?you will fail sometimes but that you will learn from your mistakes.?And that may not necessarily be a bad thing.

We pray your mistakes are small ones, but if not, we hope that you?will possess the courage and integrity to do the right thing in the face?of adversity, peer pressure and the inevitable.?

I?promise to?cheer for you as you learn and?grow, always. You are free to fall and to rise. To love deeply. To make your own choices. And every single step of the way, you can know that I will always support and love you.?I will be here for you. Always son. Always.?

Few final tips before you launch:

??Even in the most challenging times never forget that you have a?voice and the power to change things..

??The longest distance between any two points is the shortcut.?Wanting something now means you will probably pay later. Be willing?to work hard, get dirty and have blisters.

??Remember that you always have a choice. No matter what the?situation.

??Be brave enough to say I’m sorry, or I love you, or I forgive you.

??Show gratitude to all of those people who have gotten you to where?you are today. Don’t look down on anyone ever.

??Confidence, combined with a passion to make the world a better?place, can be a very positive force.

??Surround yourself with people who remind you of how amazing you?are.

??Life doesn’t always follow the plans you have made out for yourself.?Be prepared for highs and lows. Celebrate the highs and ask for help?during the lows.

??Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.

My love for you never had and strings attached. There is nothing you could possibly do that could separate my love from you. I am your biggest fan. Your greatest cheerleader. You will never disappoint me.?No matter what you do, where you go, who you love: You will always have a place of belonging in my heart. In my home.?I believe in you. I always have, I always will.

I love you son, don’t ever forget this.

Happy graduation, Son!

Your biggest fan,

Mom