Fashion Stories & Dirty Laundry

Most parents will acknowledge to make it to age 13, takes work, care, and perhaps frequent Divine intervention – especially with illnesses and a few accidents. Ravi became 13 this week. Turning 10 was a seminal birthday and I wrote on this a few years ago, but little prepared me for when my son officially became a teenager.

I have learned much in the course of motherhood; there’s one truth this 13th birthday highlighted. Our children are gifts from Above. We don’t own them, they are ‘on loan’ to us and our job is to ‘raise and release’ them as kind but strong, competent yet humble, self-sufficient human beings that contribute to society in a positive manner. Our children are entrusted to us and it’s our duty to lay a foundation to launch them into their life journey. Although we help them find their gifts, they aren’t trophies to us nor do we ‘own’ their ultimate future or accomplishments. A thoughtful parent will work on this delicate balance and often with winces of pain. Note: I said thoughtful parent, not perfect.

Ravi, you are now 13. According to Jewish Law, you are now a young man. And according to movie theaters and airlines, you are also now an adult. Kidding aside, as a mother, it’s often hard to bend my mind or accept in my heart, you aren’t the baby boy in this photo anymore.

As a mother, I grow too. I must. I’ve learned to step back and watch you make your own decisions. I’ve also had the nail biting experience of allowing you to suffer your own consequences whether it’s not studying enough for a test or not getting enough sleep for an audition, to name a few. It hurts as a parent, but it builds your resilience and character. I have watched you form your own interests and many are separate than mine. You excel at and enjoy math and basketball. Enough said.

Happy Birthday Ravi, my son. May your next 13 years be even more blessed. You were named Ravi as it means light and you were also born on a Sunday. You were such a light as a child. I pray you now become a light in this world. It definitely needs it.

Love, Mom