Rainbows, Sunshine and Fulfilled Promises

Open Letter to my Second Born Daughter.

Dear Child,

I don’t know if you already know this but may each day of our lives remind you of how blessed and loved you are. You are my Joy in the Morning and always will be. You are the most courageous and powerful child I know. You are our blessing and confirmation of God’s promises.

Most people call babies like you, rainbows but I have reflected on what rainbows are; to some, they bring color and are a sign of hope BUT you, Iva bring more than just color to my life. You are a blend of rainbows, sunshine, fulfilled promises and some more.

You, my baby girl are the testimony that God is gracious, that his Love is steadfast, that he restores, heals and is close to the brokenhearted; that his son is the Lion of Judah-the one that delivers us from all our tribulation and enables us conquer. You are one special child and your names scream that, IVA KUKUNDAKWE LEANDRA UMUHOZA MUGARURA. There is a story to each name and one day I will tell you more about each of the names.

You are more than just a rainbow.

I don’t know if there are times when you feel any less loved, I however hope these days never take away from you your character, charm, grace, true identity and purpose.

See, you came into this world right after your big sister had just changed address from our home to where we believe is the eternal home for all of us. We were grieving her loss but at the same time our hearts were filled with expectation for healing and restoration.

Your Father, myself, our friends and extended family, were not sure how that restoration and healing would look like but we were hopeful. We rejoiced in waiting.

A few months after your sister’s demise, I had a dream that I was expecting two babies but the next morning I could only remember one name “Comfort”. This name was confirmed by a friend of mine called Florence who told me over phone that a certain lady in a village in Eastern Uganda had just given birth and named her baby girl Comfort. You must be wondering, how this is relevant to your being; but well dear child-as you grow up, I want you to remember that every little experience, encounter, conversation, right about anything is connected. You just need to pay attention. I know you will because you possess that power.

Subsequently, I did a quick home test and there was a faint positive line. That faint positive line filled us with mixed feelings. On one hand we were excited of the possibility of having another child and on the other we wondered what life would be like without your big sister.

I know more than once you have heard people call you by your big sister’s name, but baby girl that doesn’t take anything away from you. You know why? Because you were God’s promise that Joy comes in the morning. Ilia, your big sister opened our hearts to love, she filled our hearts with that same love and still left that love with us for you to relish and bask in. We all love you. I love you to the depth of my heart & I am honored to have the opportunity to raise another courageous and intelligent girl like you, always remember that.

We may not exactly express our love to you the way we did with your big sister (especially me, your mother) like filling the social media pages with your beauty but that doesn’t mean we (I) love you any less. It just so happens that as I transition and grow through the seasons I tend to be a little selfish, I want you all for myself. Most importantly though, you have a sharp resemblance to your big sister when she was your age.

Recently someone saw a picture of her and asked if the artist had just created a future impression of how you would look like at a certain age.

Remember the connection, I talked about earlier? You came into this world a few days to my birthday but on the same date your big sister was born? We are all connected so if you find a different date on your official documents, don’t be surprised. I have a strong urge to change these dates so that you and I are officially twins.

All the above aside, it is exciting watching you transition from babyhood to building your own personality and enforcing your independence.

It is my prayer that God will cover you on all sides as you grow, that he will be with you everywhere you go and that you will be taught of him. That you will stay firm and grounded in what is true, honest, noble and of God. I have recently learnt and continue to learn that I am but only his steward so as you grow I pray that God will also teach me how to best steward you.

I am so thankful to God for you, so much that sometimes I struggle to find the right words to express myself. That is the depth of my love for you too. It leaves me speechless.

As we officially get into the next season of your life, I am looking forward to the great things God will continue to do in your life my joy in the morning.

All my love,

Your loving Mother,

Fortunate Ingabire – Rwalinda Mugarura

(F.I.R.M)