J:
My name is J. I go by many names, but J is the most commonly used. I am exactly one year old, or so they tell me.
A few months ago, I couldn’t turn to the side and was almost always on my back, which limited my view to a rather dull ceiling.
Now, I can turn, flip, crawl, and walk on my legs. I can go wherever and whenever I want. Nothing and no one can stop me.
I spend my days exploring things in this place they call home. There’s always something fascinating. I particularly enjoy objects that make noise when I throw or smack them repeatedly against the floor or any nearby surface.
Today, I turned one. I don’t know what that means, but my minions have been unusually mushy and cuddly around me. I even saw my mom shed a tear while I was dozing off around midnight.
According to my old man, all I have to do in the coming months is sleep a bit longer at night and take more naps during the day. In return, he promised to get me a special screen I could play with and break, just like the one he had before I got my hands on it.
Whatever.
I will do as I please! A great man once said, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.”
Y:
It is undeniable that I made the right decision.
Christmas, 2014. We became one. It marked the start of chapter two, page one, and the days have passed joyfully without the typical hiccups of newlyweds.
I often reflect on my choices. Although I’ve questioned my decisions many times, you are the one who undeniably made the right decision. You have proven time and again that I made the correct choice. My love for you before that merry Christmas was immeasurable and remains strong today.
Exactly one year ago, our lives changed. We had a little monkey to look after, leaving little time for us. Yet, we find moments to connect when the little monkey takes a power nap—whether it’s sharing thoughts or watching a movie, hoping we can finish it without falling asleep or being interrupted by the sudden awakening of our little tornado. These moments are priceless.
I have immense respect for you. Your character change, strength, patience, and even the few meltdowns I’ve witnessed this year are nothing short of amazing. Most notably, the love in your eyes is clear whenever our little monkey crawls into your lap.
I’m grateful for the countless hours you’ve spent awake at night with J, the destroyer. I appreciate your effort in keeping him fed, clean, tidy, and loved while caring for me, the big monkey.
Will it get easier now? I doubt it. But I hope we can continue on this path and raise our little havoc with much love and kindness, unleashing a good monkey into the world.
T:
I first saw you at 6:15 AM on August 20, 2017. Dr. Malak lifted you and said, “Here he is, healthy and beautiful.”
A nurse wrapped you in a towel while you cried and started cleaning you up, sucking liquids from your nose through tubes.
You didn’t know it, but the man in green scrubs staring at you was me—your father. At that moment, as our eyes locked for what seemed an eternity, all my previous notions of fatherhood fell away. A great veil was lifted, and a warm feeling surged through my body. I am a father now. I knew then that I would do everything I could to be the best father possible for you. I will take care of you, help you grow into the best version of yourself, and instil the finest qualities of humanity in you.
Now, a year has passed since we met. A lot has changed, and you’ve grown so much—you already have six teeth and are just a week or two from walking alone.
Our home is now divided into two sections:
1. What you can reach.
2. What you can’t reach so far.
Admittedly, the real estate in section two is rapidly shrinking. Everything from the TV stand and bookshelves is now crammed out of your reach. The kitchen and bedrooms are child and adult-proofed.
So, what’s next, J?
You are funny, witty, and extremely social, traits that are putting a strain on your parents. We can’t leave you with your adult friends; it’s not okay for me to leave you in the cafeteria or the sweet shops in our building. No, I will not succumb to your every whim—admittedly, I’m jealous that you’ve made so many friends in just 365 days since you arrived on this earth, imported from the cute monkey section of
the zoo.
Moving forward, I expect you to behave and become less social. Understand the meaning of the word “No.”
Lose interest in all IT gadgets, wires, plugs, etc., and shift your focus to your mom’s stuff. 80% of my things are broken now.
Happy birthday, J. Stay cool. We celebrate your birthday with a cool cake tonight, and we hope you will enjoy its taste and texture.
