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Our World in Words

Our World in Words

Letter #11: Five

Hello, Lia.

Yesterday, you turned five. They say that if four is a wild time, but five is about testing boundaries and demanding things to be done on your own.

Speaking of doing things on your own, next year, when you enter kindergarden, you will find that it’s all about that: being on your own. You will be pushed and pulled on all sides. When that happens, I hope that you listen.

Listen to us. Listen to every possible perspective. But in the end, listen to your heart. Follow what it tells you to do (unless it’s against your moral compass). Because your life is yours and no one else’s – mistakes, good deeds, and aspirations included. My job is to simply raise you, so you will be a good and independent citizen who can think for herself. What you do with your life is up to you.

Enjoy this crucial, beautiful, and youthful time while the pushing and pulling is still negligible. Relish your youth while it lasts. It only happens once.

And in that breath, a The Ataris nugget of wisdom for you to remember:

Being grown up isn’t half as fun as growing up:
These are the best days of our lives.
The only thing that matters
is just following your heart
and eventually you’ll finally get it right.

Stay young and free always,
Mother

P.S. That’s a Dora pastillas cake made by Tita Xyra, by the way. She has this li’l bake shop called The Cake Project Manila. 

in Letters to Lia # Letters to Lia, Motherhood

About the Author

Gretchen Filart

Gretchen Filart is a writer from the Philippines, where she weaves poems and creative nonfiction about motherhood, love, healing, nature, and intersectionalities. Her works have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net, received distinction from phoebe’s Spring Poetry Contest and Navigator’s Travel Writing Competition, and share space in local and foreign publications. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky @gretchenfilart. She’s usually friendly.

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