Dear daughter,
My sweetheart! I am so sorry that I can't stay with you on your fifth birthday, say happy birthday to you in person and send any funny gift. What I can do is to seek a birthday card which can express my limitless miss and love and hope it will express mom's blessing instead of me on your birthday.
Time elapses so fast. You are already five years old. I still remember the feeling you were in my belly five years ago and your lovely appearance when you came into this world. You were only half of present, one-fourth weight of present just like a doll. However, you have become a beautiful girl already. Do you know how can you grow up like this? Your parents, grandparents, uncles and aunty and several baby-sisters looked after you. Do you remember that they played with you, bought foods, pretty clothes, talked tales and so on. Without their care, you would not be so health and happy. Actually, we all are the same. Without the care of our parents, grandparents and relatives around us, we wouldn't grow up happily. Therefore, my dear daughter, I wish that you could understand this simple thing on you're the fifth birthday: we, everyone's growing can't leave affection of our relatives. And this kind of love and affection should be appreciated. Particularly on your birthday, you should appreciate your gratitude towards those who gave you their concern and affection and tell them that you will not be so happy without their love.
In addition, affection needs to bestow reciprocally. You are still too young at present. You still have no ability to bestow adult much more. However, we will become older and older just like grandmother. She still can look after you now. But she will need more and more love and care from us in future. At that time, it is my duty to look after my mom, your grandmother. And when I become old and need to be looked after by you, it is the time for you to bestow your love. Perhaps, you still can't understand what I said right now. Nonetheless, I do believe that you will understand it gradually.
Finally, I wish my baby happy birthday! And please pass my gratitude to family for their love to you and me as well.
Your beloved mom, in Ghent, Belgium
Oct, 31, 2001
