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Writer's pictureSharon Naidoo

My little big man… Where my daily joy lives

Updated: Nov 7

I was free and flighty (like Libras are), fascinated by the skies and clouds (experiencing first-hand my obsession with swings and airplanes). Never a box could hold me and my thoughts, my actions, my rebellious nature, my need for freedom and independence. 


I feared love would tie me to a routine – being stuck in a “daily” is not for me – because the world is big, and adventures awaited. But the heavens said you cannot have the skies without the earth, for everything that flies must feel the sands between their toes too. And so, at 4am one Friday morning, I dressed my very best for my very first date with a soul I already knew and the face I couldn’t wait to meet. 


It took four adult men to untuck you from my physical heart, on this day both a mother and a baby were born. I could never have imagined the enormity of the adventures you were going to lead me on. You are my first love, more than that you ground me - you are the sand on my feet. You are the reason I know what liberating love is and should feel like. 


My little now big man, the day you were born I experienced life-changing love, protectiveness, and nurturing with an overwhelming flooding of emotions and instincts being awakened. I walked into the hospital an independent woman and I walked out a mother and I knew that for the first time (and for the rest of my life) I was no longer flying solo. 


You are your mother’s child – your light, your fearlessness, your decisiveness, your heart and your courage.


I want to say that I raised you, but in so many ways you raised me. Together we created a home – a relationship very few would understand. 


For all our years you have and continue to play every role in my life:


  • You nag me like a husband (my nag-a-nuk) – I am sure you are very happy now to hand this role over 😊

  • You love me like a son.

  • You advise me like a father. 

  • You protect me like a brother; and

  • You keep secrets like a best friend


On the cusp of 17 years old, with a whole new world and adventures ahead for both of us, I want you to promise that you will hold onto the very core of you as you start experiencing this very big world.


Charge fearlessly forward


On the very first day we moved into our new home (you were just 14 months old), you ran straight from the entrance into the pool; the safety net was already on, because I knew it would be the first thing you’d do. You zipline over mountains and ride rollercoasters even though it’s scary and find it exhilarating. I’ll always be your safety net while you charge fearlessly forward. 


Little Big Man


Be courageous 


The stories are endless. You were only six years old when you drove a 200CC ATV quad bike up and down the Pilanesberg mountains. I watched with bated breath as you navigated massive potholes, rugged roads, steep contours and wild animals around the mountains. Go-carts, sedways, anything on wheels with an accelerator – you sped forward, laughing and enjoying the ride. Nothing could stop you, don’t ever stop!






Happiness is on you


This is your greatest gift, so hold it tight. Life is an adventure, gobble it all up – like the games we used to play (Happy Hippo and Hungry Sharks). Over the years we have always made the day-to-day moments our biggest adventures – the pizza making, the flopped baked bread, the slipping and falling, the hose pipe going in the wrong direction and getting soaked, fighting on who will clean the dog poop, getting lost, the road trips and playing our favourite songs in the car. Those little everyday moments are actually where daily joy lives. Happiness is on you! Choose it every day. 


Little Big Man


Use your intuition


Trust your gut and for you have and will never be wrong – like when we took our first Segway in Sun City, you got on and found your balance immediately. I got on with no balance, looking to you for guidance. “Mum, just be still!” you said. 


Despite our different ages, our instincts are the same; ENTP Mum and Baby. You challenge my thinking and call me out when I am too hard or wrong. You’re never biased and always fair. 


You are my advisor, my OG, my ZaZu (“Mufasa’s right hand from the Lion King”). I have been taking your advice since you were a toddler. Everyone scolded me saying you are only a child, but I will always trust you more than most adults … because you always speak your truth. 

Little Big Man

Hold that quality, it is a precious and rare gift to have an open mind and heart! You struck gold and oil finding a perfect balance between the heart and the mind.  Keep that stillness and your sense of calm. Trust your gut, because I trust you. 


When you get something wrong (and you will), understand that it’s a very necessary part of life, and you’ll be happy to accept the consequences. Own what’s in front of you, my baby boy. 


Life is an adventure – no more and no less. If you don’t like today, hit restart because there’s always a tomorrow. 

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