A letter from Sep 09, 2024

Dear Zayna, By the time you read this, you'll be 23. And I don’t yet know how that’ll feel, or whether 22 will have sunk in yet, but **** doesn’t time fly? I hope you pursue all the right options. I hope you get the job and the car you want. I hope you continue to work hard, take care of your body and your mind. I hope that you are surrounded by family and friends that you know love you. Remember – the first step is to take one! To me, 21 was a success. I picked up more hours at work, bought myself a film camera, discovered my love for dahlia’s, graduated, and had a lovely summer. A lot of these things you can read back on in my journal… and that’s another thing – I hope you have continued keeping record of your days. Naturally, there are a few things I expected more from myself, such as maintaining a good diet and exercise routine, finding another job (post-grad), or having saved up more money than I have right now. But perhaps these are things I will achieve in the coming year, Insha’Allah. Remember to give Leon and Milo a huge annoying kiss when this comes through to your email. I just love them so much, and I hope nothing happens to them except goodness in this coming year. And Lucky – give him the best treat ever. In a years’ time Sal will have started year 7, right? Be there to support him no matter what you’re busy with. Be there to help Muhammad with his post-sixth form plans, and Sumayya throughout her final year ~ although knowing these kids, they probably won’t want me involved in their happenings. A few current favourites: food: Korean noodles, movie: Under the Hawthorn Tree, song: Intertwined (Eloise), or Hammer (Alice Phoebe Lou), Podcast: The Dark Somnium. See… now I don’t know what more to write. Hope you had a lovely birthday; hope you got the best presents ever (including hopefully another kitten). And if there is anyone you feel has wronged you, let it go, and forgive them. If there is anyone you yourself have wronged, just reach out and apologise. Let's start this year on a fresh note, no ******** ok!? Take care, I love you!