First Letter to J (a first in Parenting)

These letters to our children are also reminders for us. That we remember how we want to raise them – to love God, country, neighbour. Here is our attempt at what Ate Anna W. calls “Patriotic Parenting”, and bringing up Faithful fellows.

Dearest J,

You are 39 weeks and could be born any moment now. As excited as we are to see you, please, don’t come out now. We are in the midst of an un-named storm that has yet to grow tired of pouring down on our country. For days (feels like weeks) we have been experiencing heavy rain, and flooding in our streets. So many families have been displaced from their homes while many others are stranded. Classes have been called off at all levels and most offices have also decided that it’s best for their employees to stay put.
At this point though, our family is lucky – we are safe and dry and have enough food and water. We are just praying that you decide to stay put a little longer so we need not venture out to the hospital. To give birth to you in the middle of a flooded road is not what I have planned for you or for me.
 Now, I’m not trying to scare you. There was never a moment in which your tatay and I doubted whether bringing you into this world was a good idea. Amidst the chaos, there are so many beautiful things waiting for you. You’re coming at an exciting time and will be born among a wonderful people. If you can imagine the craziness of the storm and the havoc it has brought upon thousands of families, you can also imagine the response of thousands who are stepping up to the challenge of helping those affected by the storm. It’s called bayanihan– the spirit of solidarity that binds us as a people. It may seem like such an intangible concept, but when you see it happening before you, you can feel it as well.
You will be brought up in a country that has known many hardships – but hardships that have not made her people callous. We are a loving people, passionate and compassionate, giving and forgiving – sometimes to a fault. You will be brought up in a country that lacks many things – good infrastructure, efficient transportation, a disciplined citizenry among them – but, is slowly progressing, developing and becoming the nation we ought to be. We pray that as you grow older, things will get better. We will work to make things better.
As I write this letter, many of your titas and titos are mobilizing in different parts of the city – some at the Gawad Kalinga Command Center, some in Ateneo, some in Xavier and Poveda. Some of your lolos and lolas have found their way to the different evacuation centers to bring relief goods to the people there. You will grow up surrounded by these people, my own personal heroes. Their love for their families overflows and spills over to the rest of the country. That is the kind of love we hope you will have as well.
I hope that is not asking too much of you. We know a lot of it will rely on the love that we will give you as well. Hopefully, we will be able to be the best parents we could be – your tatay and I do not have an excuse, we were both raised by the best parents we could ever have had.
Right now, I am putting all my energy on keeping calm and relaxed because the last thing I want is to go into labor. With the unpredictable downpours and the quick flooding of the streets, I’m not sure what will happen to us from here to the hospital. Just in case, our bags are packed and your father has his “Nanganganak” sign for the car. So if you do decide that you want to brave the storm, we’ll be ready to welcome you. You see, we are also a people of faith – and we believe in a God that will allow you to come into the world, safe and healthy and grow up to be strong, good, just and bright.
That is your name, J. It means “Bright” – and in the midst of this storm and in the midst of this borrowed space and time, we pray that that you bring with you your own light, that your brilliance you will share with the world as well. Your second name is John – meaning “God is gracious”. A reminder that everything that you are and everything that you have is a blessing from a God that loves you – including the brilliance that I know will exude from you.
See you soon, anak. We hope for sunnier weather to welcome you – but if not, we know you’ll be bringing the sunshine for us.
Love,
Nanay
~~ found this on my climb up ~~
http://windingstaircase.blogspot.com

One response to “First Letter to J (a first in Parenting)”

  1. Its a beautiful letter, Tam. You know me, I cried a bit reading it. Hehe. Thank you for sharing this with us.

    <3 You and Tom will be wonderful parents. I am sure Javy will definitely learn to love just as you do – full of passion, kindness and with a gentle heart. I can’t wait to meet your little sunshine. But I do hope he waits for the sun to meet him too. Have a safe delivery! <3 I love you and your family.