My darling Xiao Zhuang,

This is my first letter to you. I decided to write letters to you because I saw your joy in receiving letters from the postman. Daddy wants to also use these letters to share my thoughts with you.

My wish for you, my dear, is to be a better person than myself. Not in terms of materialistic achievements, but rather of personal mastery. I believe that I have a big part to play in order for you to be able to achieve that personal mastery. I am also learning as I grow older each year. Trust me; I am also trying very hard to be a better person myself.

At the start of everyday, I will remind myself to be grateful of someone or of something that has made me what I am now. I will also encourage you to do the same when you are able. Today, I want to be grateful to your mother, for going through all the physical and mental challenges to give birth to you. It has not been easy, but your mother overcame them all. Remember this and bear this in your heart.

At the end of everyday, I will also encourage myself for something that I have done well. And today, I will acknowledge that I carried you despite my backache while going to take a taxi to United Square. I enjoyed myself during that time, singing nonsensical stuff with you made me feel like a child again, just like you.

“It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labour diligently for the salvation of the masses.” ~ Dag Hammarskjöld


Always loving you,


Daddy

29 September 2008 – Monday, 9.30am Singapore