(December 12, 2023) - Happy Fourth Birthday to our inspiration Riaan! Riaan’s parents share their letters of love to him below.
Dear Riaan the Radiant:
You are the soul of my soul. A powerful expression I recently came upon describing the love a grandfather has for his darling three year-old granddaughter who was sadly taken from our world too soon.
Riaan, you are our eternal joy - the essence of divinity - in this calamitous time that has marked much of your life. Some have even described this age as our darkest hour. There’s a lot of pain, a lot of chaos, and a lot of violence. We live in an era where truth and goodness do not always seem to prevail. In this madness, we must try to live, learn, and survive.
“The world is a drama, staged in a dream.” - Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Imagine you and me then, Riaan, on a rowboat in the sea. The waves are ominous, the storm is heavy, the air is cold. The darkness consumes our vision. We are trapped in the surreal. We are holding on to each other, my only job to protect you, to keep you safe, to find an oasis. I guide us through the turbulent waters the best that I can but even I know and understand that everything is transient, and perhaps we are all confined by the roles that we are meant to play on this stage of life. Me, the flawed mother. You, the perfect son.
Let me dress you in a suit of armor, to prepare you for what may lie ahead. You may get lost, I may fall into the water. We may also find our refuge, and feel the embrace of the warm sun painting us with rays of relief.
Do you see where I’m going with this, Riaan?
It’s ok. It’s hard to understand. Let me try to explain. I’m your mother, I love you more than anything, but I don’t have all the answers. I can and will give you everything that I have. I will go above and beyond to protect you, to make you happy. Your joy is my joy.
But I too am a student, Riaan. I’m learning with you. Sometimes I’m learning from you. You’re turning four. I don’t know what the next year holds. I don’t even know what the next day holds. But we’ll hold on to each other for as long as this world allows, during the roughest of times. I’ve got you, I know your dad and brother do too. In our little world, there is much joy and infinite love. And for that we are very lucky.
You’re not alone, my darling. You won’t ever be. Even if, in the cosmic sense, all of our journeys are individual.
Be brave, my warrior. Your hardships are tougher than most. It was never fair or right, having this diagnosis. But if there was ever someone who was fueled by the power of love and light, it's you. You come to us with an old wisdom and a delicious sense of humor, and for that we are grateful.
You are truly perfect. I wish I could offer you perfection in return. I can’t but I give you my love and my promise to do everything we can to get a treatment developed. And to give you a life full of more joy and happiness than you can muster.
Happy Birthday, sweet boy. I love you.
Love,
Mama
Dear Riaan:
My little fish, Happy 4th Birthday! Every day you do something that surprises me and I'm so proud of you! Last year was your first year of school and you aced it! I'm not just saying that I'm proud of you because you're my son, but because you're an inspiration to us all.
There are days where I feel tired and burned out, and then I look at you and your contagious smile, and it makes me wonder: "How can I be tired from everything in life when Riaan is smiling with all of the things he has to go through?"
You make me want to be better everyday.
And it's not just the achievements, but also how much fun you are to be around. It could be you going to your perch (which is my left shoulder) when we go on our walks, or your constant giggling when we wrestle with each other and Lu jumps in to save you from me. Not to mention, you're a great older brother and a wonderful son to both your mother and me.
Despite everything going on with your health, you always persevere and shock everyone. Happy birthday, my little fish, there will be many more birthdays in your future.
Forget about your condition and know that you aren't going anywhere anytime soon. The world needs you, Riaan; I need you, bud. I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you.
Love,
Dad
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We would be honored if you could join us in sending a birthday greeting to Riaan. We read and show him every message. Send a greeting to his kudoboard here.
Thank you as always to all of our donors and supporters, you are the reason that we have the hope we do today.