This is a song that a famous child artist sang when I was a kid. I played some of her other songs to you today, but I'm not sure you liked any of them :)

The song depicts a conversation between a daughter and her father: it starts with her asking him to play with her and is trying to get his attention, but he tells her that he is too tired. She asks him to tell her a story, he says he's too busy. She asks him why he seems so preoccupied, he tells her he is thinking of bills and how he's going to pay them, to which she replies and tells him she understands that what he's really longing for is simpler times. He starts to tell her that life is all about taking and not giving, so she gives him a pair of shoes to fix :) He tells her that she should go away, please, otherwise he'll get upset, to which she tells him she loves him, and asks him to talk to her.

Come to think of it, it's a little bit of a sad song really! Still, It strikes me as a typical conversation between an Arab father and his kids. The song captures it well: the absentmindedness and worry. I hope we never have a conversation like this, and that we can enjoy our time together, rather than worry about the things that don't matter.

Hey Sweetie This is you and your mother on your first flight! We flew from Dubai to Jordan early in the morning so you can meet your grandparents. [caption id="attachment_2540705486" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="You on your first flight"] [/caption] Love, Dad

Dear Daughter, I wanted to share my favorite poem with you. It's one that my grandfather shared with me on a printed piece of paper which I kept with me in my wallet for years. It's one that I think of a lot, and it's one that strikes me as wonderful advice. My grandfather was a lawyer, and a good one at that. He was also a very good and kind hearted man who gave away to the poor and needy. He's a man I truly admired, and I know that you would have liked him too. He was an extremely well read man, and so it's no surprise that the poem he shared with me is amongst my favorites. Here it is:

Your Name, by Edgar A. Guest

You got it from your father, t'was the best he had to give And right gladly he bestowed it It's yours, the while you live.

You may lose the watch he gave you and another you may claim, But remember, when you're tempted, to be careful of his name.

It was fair the day you got it, and a worthy name to bear, When he took it from his father there was no dishonor there.

Through the years he proudly wore it, to his father he was true, And that name was clean and spotless when he passed it on to you.

Oh there's much that he has given that he values not at all, He has watched you break your playthings in the days when you were small.

You have lost the knife he gave you and you've scattered many a game, But you'll never hurt your father if you're careful with his name.

It is yours to wear forever, yours to wear the while you live, Yours, perhaps some distant morn, another boy to give.

And you'll smile as did your father, with a smile that all can share, If a clean name and a good name you are giving him to wear.

... my sweet little angel! You have no idea how happy you've made your mother and I. You may sometimes find out what it's like to be a proud parent, and it's wonderful. I smile when I think of you, and people may sometimes think I'm mad. I smile when I remember how you offer me toothless smile, and cock your head to one side as if you're being coy.I took a picture of you the other day right before I went off to work. Since then, that picture has become a permanent fixture of my phone, and I can't even imagine changing it. You're just that adorable. Yo u know I love you honey. Sweet dreams.     Daddy K  

Dearest Baby Z, Your mother and I have had a wonderful weekend. It started with an excellent dinner at your god father's house. I woke up early the next morning (at 4.00 am) to drive an hour and a half an run a half-marathon: my first long run in the past year. It went, surprisingly well and I must admit that I've missed running. It wasn't my best run, but hey it's out of the way. Here's a picture of you wearing the medal I got, and a picture of us together (I like this the most): [gallery columns="2"] We then went to a concert at the Jazz Festival. The music wasn't very Jazzy but we had a good time! It was good to relax and enjoy an evening out. We watched a band called Train. Not sure if they'll be around when you're older, but they definitely knew how to put on a good show. What was strange is that your mother and I left early, before the concert was over! I never would have thought of my self as someone to leave anything early. It's all part of growing older I suppose. The band asked for people (younger girls) to climb on stage, and one of the people who did was this very young girl (I am guessing 3 or 4 years old). I was wondering if we would be the sort of parents who would encourage you to do so, or even if we would take you to a concert when you're younger. I hope we are, and so does your mother, so remind me of this when you're older, though I may have changed my mind by then! Love you loads, Dad

Dear Daughter

It's been a while since I've written to you. It's not easy thinking of things to say when, really, all I want to do is play with you and hug you and watch you grow.

When I'm away, I miss you so much. It's a feeling that's not easy to put into words. I'll tell you a little secret. Not too long ago I found it absolutely wrong that my friend's wives would have a child and quit their jobs. I thought it irresponsible, particularly in tough times like these. Now, however, I can't believe how wrong I was. What once seemed crystal clear, is now something I struggle with every day. I can never ask your mother to leave her job, and God knows we want the best for you and will do what we can to provide, but I just worry that you don't spend enough time with us. In fact, I get jealous when I get home and your grandmother or the nanny are holding you. It's amazing what a little baby can do to one's perspective.

It's also funny how your mother and I have already started discussing (and maybe arguing) about things like your schooling and upbringing. I had a decent (and maybe expensive) education and want the same for you. Your mother is more of a realist and is more concerned about you having a happier and more balanced education. We may have settled on a happy middle, but you'll let us know about that later.

Well, it's time for me to sleep, I just wanted to let you know I love you and miss you.

Sleep well my darling.

Love,

Dad

Dear Zahra

Religion, God and all things spiritual were topics I always knew will come up one day, even on this blog, but that I had to think very carefully about what I would tell you.

We are, all things considered, Muslim (basically by birth). Today, that’s not a very good thing to be, but I’m sure it’ll be different when you’re older. Either way, I was never brought up to be religious, and I liked the freedom that gave me. That might be one reason I insist on sending you to an international school, with a similar curriculum to mine. It won’t be easy, but you’ll be a better person for it, and far more tolerant of all around you.

As I grew older, I learned to trust religion and the religious even less, but I believed in God only because it made a little bit of sense to me (though not much) and I was worried about being wrong about the whole religion thing. So it was a hedge!

Still, had the topic ever come up, I was going to tell you how it’s more important to be good than be religious, and I still believe that, but I am a little conflicted today. I still disagree with many of the ceremonious and symbolic aspects of religion, and I always will, but I need desperately to believe in a God.

As a teenager, you want to sound smart, and so reject God, religion and all other forms of establishments. You rebel against the norm, because you want to appear more independent. Never mind that all your peers are doing the same, and all the adults couldn’t care less, and so it seems a little futile in retrospect. Now, however, I don’t care about being just one amongst many, so long as you’re okay. Self actualization isn’t something I look for, anymore, I feel that, very quickly, I now live only for you, and I hope and pray that I will be a good dad.

When I look at you, I pray to Him that you’ll be safe, and that I’ll be able to provide for you and raise your right. I cling onto the belief that there’s a bigger, stronger force out there that I can plead with when I’m feeling helpless and vulnerable, and when I need to turn to a larger being. I know the road a head won’t be smooth, and I don’t want to make too many mistakes. That’s what I pray for before going to bed. That’s who I turn to when I’m carrying you and worrying about losing my footing (I can be clumsy!). It’s the fear and trepidation that I may not be as good a person as I could, that make me cling onto the belief that with God in my life, you’ll be okay.

I hope I haven’t been too cynical, darling. If I have, I apologize.

For now, sleep well my angel, and sweet dreams.

Love,

Dad

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAe3sCIakXo]

My favorite picture of you. You were sitting outside early in the morning on a sunny day with your mother when she took the picture and sent it to me. It’s quickly become everyones phone wallpaper pic.

Empowering Girls

Corny, but good!