Mira Matar

There is something special about dates darling. Not inherently so; but because we've made them so. A date that is especially significant, annually, is the one on which the old gives way to the new. That date is today. 31 December. The old year ends, and, at midnight, the new year begins. Your day today kicked off with "Pick a boo" with Mum. Hard to believe that it's in the minus's outside isn't it? Certain things, money cannot buy. A blessing manifest. Your Mum is a very special lady. I am a lucky lad. This year was a very special year sweetheart. Your birth was the highlight. 2009, and 2022, carry especially unique places in my world. You and your sister are incomparable highlights in life's timeline. In life, all things come to an end. My love for the two of you though will last for the whole of your lifetimes. As this year leaves,  I hope that you leave behind all unnecessary emotional baggage. As the new year begins, I hope that you are filled with hop...

The beginning of 2023 is near sweetheart. So too, the end of 2022. Something ends, something begins. So it is with life stages too sweetheart.  Every master, begins as a student. I learnt today, from a colleague named Gary, that in Aikido, there is a concept known as Shu-Ha-Ri. There are three stages. Shu - follow the rules. Ha - break the rules. Ri - make the rules An Aikido Master elaborated a little.. In Shu: We repeat the forms and discipline ourselves so that our bodies absorb the forms that our forebears created. We remain faithful to these norms with no deviation. In Ha: Once we have disciplined ourselves to acquire the forms and movements, we make innovations. In this process the forms may be broken or discarded. In Ri: We completely depart from the norms, open the door to creative technique, and arrive in a place where we act in accordance with what our heart and mind desires, unhindered while not overstepping laws. Reading.  Then reading with a nibble.  Then usi...

Most of what we do each day sweetheart, is done on autopilot. That is why habits are so critical in life. They are embedded in the autopilot part of one's life. Bringing awareness to the moment at hand breaks the autopilot pattern. Bringing awareness to the moment at hand is exactly what I try to do, each and every time that I spend time with you or your sister. There is frankly no greater gift that I have experienced in this lifetime, than being a father to your sister and to you. The emotions imparted by you, and experienced by me, transcend the capacity of words to catch them. One neologism that I have a habit using with you is cute-iful.  You know the song. The music stops for a few moments. Time stands still. May you and your sister enjoy many such moments. May you learn to see the value of every breath, both savored and shared. May you find meaningful way to use the limited time that we have on this planet. I love you both. I believe in you both.  You can indeed do it.

As you grow up, you'll hear lots of expressions being used. Be careful what you take for granted. Subtle misleading messages can creep in. What I am talking about? Look, for example, at the expression: "Good things come to those who wait' The reality is: "Good things come to those who work " (unless of course you're a trust fund baby).  Only after the work, can one add that "wait". The wait is another way of saying be patient regarding the results. The work however requires impatience. One needs to plant the seeds as early as one can.. There are many colors, shapes, and textures, in life. Choose what you focus on, and grow. Grow your skill sets. Widen your knowledge base. Create and contribute. I believe in you and your sister. I love you both. You can do it!

Once a month, kids are checked up on here. This is at a minimum, and it is assuming there are no special issues. This is a fantastic tradition and practice. Your four month check up occurred today. Before all that, at home this morning, special moments were savored: The link. The laughs. Fortunately for us, Mum is delighted by our closeness. She understands that a child can love both parents without bounds. She understands that this is a gift to a child.  Mum's sanity and stability, before we even speak about the patient love and care she shows, are priceless. The doctor check up later in the day went well.  Close to 6.7kg & 62cm. Attention. Unwinding. The captured calendar.. With the notable quote at the top of each page.. The one quote, repeated.. "Family is the greatest wealth available to a human being". Pause.

I had a meeting today. It related to child protection. It's a fight for protection, in the face of a stream of gaslighting & deception. A cab picked me up. In chatting to the driver, I learnt that three car accidents had just occurred. Why? The weather. Only moments early, I had been savoring a beautiful sight. What of? The weather. Irony? Paradox? Just life? It's breathtaking how something of such beauty, can become the bane of another's life. And so it is, not only with the weather. Even the meeting today has as it's foundation a parallel to this. Once you grow a little, I will elaborate sweetheart. Being 26 December today, it was a public holiday in Australia. As a result you got he chance to catch your paternal grandma, one of your aunts, and two of your cousins, simultaneously. So much fun! Wishing you and your sister close bonds with all of your family members, both maternal and paternal. Life's magnificence is magnified by proximity with loved ones. It is...

We, darling, are human beings. Human beings, particularly those who choose to use the apparatus between their ears, can think and choose. Choices can go all the way down to the fundamentals of life. Perhaps most fundamental of all, is the choice regarding the meaning of life. Religion is a source of meaning. (Given your current age, I recognize that it may be more apt to talk about Winnie the Poo. Bear with me, I will revert) Back to religion and meaning... I have friends with various backgrounds; friends who have made varied choices.   One group of friends had a large annual celebration today. It is known as Christmas. Given this context, you connected (..I was about to say spoke 😇..) to a few of my friends who were celebrating. Uncle G, and Uncle Amir were the most extended conversations. You also spoke to your Grandmother in Australia. And you spoke to Aunty Leila's mum Aunt (or Great Aunt I guess) Val. Much later in the day, as you enjoyed your later afternoon nap, Mum shared ...

I mentioned the Soviet tradition of celebrating someone's monthly during the first year of life. For both you and your sister, I have made a point of continuing this tradition beyond the first year. In recognition of the transitory nature of this life, and the fact that tomorrow is never guaranteed, I take every opportunity to recognize and celebrate the magic of you both being alive. Part of being alive is growth and progress. Today, there was physical progress. Your newfound ability to stretch out, whilst on your stomach, was showcased today. Mum called me from my desk, so as to enjoy the moment together. Relaxing, with a meditative like focus, after rolling back to your starting position. Cuteness manifest.

Three years ago today, a Christmas party was held at a children's hospice. The party was intended to give a few moments of respite and happiness to both the unwell kids and their loving parents. Parents here are typically on call for their kids 24-7. I showed up to the hospice that day. That is, on 23 December 2019.  My purpose in going around, was to acquire works from art exhibition (of these kids works) that had been held a month earlier. Whilst I was at the hospice that day, I met three girls who were there: (1) delivering presents to the kids, & (2) volunteering for the kids. Guess who one of the three were??? Right! Your  mum! It was a long while before our relations began darling; but it all began here. A very special day in retrospect.

Today was a two-day. 22-12-22. You and Mum, as a two,  enjoyed the newly delivered Christmas tree. Right & wrong. Black & white. Up & down. Twos are everywhere. Life is not as plain vanilla, as simply two options. That makes it all the more exciting! It is a set of combinations and consequences. We've talked about preparation and execution previously. Adaptation and agility are cornerstone to the learning that should ensue. That cycle applies to all life facets sweetheart: health, wealth and relationships. As to twos (and to combinations & consequence.. Mum & I combined (and you're the wonderful consequence).. As you grow, think about the consequences that you desire in life. Then look for the combinations that give you the greatest chance of getting them. Remember that the 'looking' here involves action; it involves iterating & learning. You and your sister can both do it. You have the capacity. I hope you choose to activate your capacities, to ...

You know   those times when words are not enough.