Being a middle child myself, I found it essential to spend some special time with my middle son. It's easy to neglect him, and his position and role among his siblings can sometimes be confusing for him.
He's a kuya (older brother) to his younger brother yet he spent 6 years as a bunso (youngest among brothers) before a new sibling arrived to take over this position.
Because of this, I want him to feel that I see him as he is, a kuya and a younger brother, a son whom I love so much, no less than his brothers.
I thought of writing him an open letter. For there are words that are better written than spoken.
To my dear son, whom I love.
As I saw you enjoying your dips in the sea earlier, I thought it's one of the best moments for me as your mom. I was just still, looking at you with your innocent laughter filling the air.
It's as if the beach was prepared for us for this moment to make a special memory. There were no other people, and the water was unusually clean. The sky maybe gloomy, but it's perfect for me--for my mommy heart to pause, reflect, and store this into my core memory.
Have you known that I've loved you?
From even before I conceived you, you were in my mind. I thought of my second child, excited for his arrival, excited for what he would look like and what gift he could bring to the world.
And I'm glad it is you.
You're smart. You're an amazing little boy who's now shaping into a young man. You're bubbly, and I like that. But you're as sensitive as me, too. You laugh easily, but when you get hurt, there's no stopping you from crying. You let it all out. If that eases your heart, let it be. It's your way of healing.
I believe you know that I love you.
Don't ever doubt that.
If I make a mistake, forgive me for I am human, too. But don't think that I will intentionally hurt you. Everything I do and would do is for you and your brothers to have a better life and to be better persons than us.
I see you.
You may think I don't, but I do. I see your struggles and your pain. I understand what you feel behind those tears.
I see you as a boy who loves the beach, milkshakes, and mango float. I see you enjoying your games and teasing your younger brother. I see you as a clingy little brother to kuya.
Now I want you to remember this.
All I ever want is for you to grow in knowing and loving Christ and everything will follow. I don't know what the future holds, but when you are in Christ, you're in the right path.
Some day, I won't be with you. When that day comes, I hope you will remember that everything I did was to prepare you for that day.
You are strong. I believe in you.
You are loved. Always.
~Mommy
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By posting, I'm implying that I fully understand the rules of the Hive Community. All pictures used in this post are my own and edited in Canva. I have not used any AI tool or grammar-checking tool for this post and will not be using these prohibited tools in any future posts or engagements.