family

A Different Kind Of Love

~ Latifa @BlogCreatifa ~ 12 Comments

It was love at first sight
The moment I saw you
So perfect and small
I immediately knew
That I would love you forever
You were in mum’s arm
Couldn’t wait to bring you home
And shower you with love.

How the years have flown by
I stare in amazement
At the man you’ve become
Though I can’t hold back the tears
Tear of happiness
But also a hidden sadness
Wish that mum could see you now.

My love and prayers are always with you
I’ve loved you your whole life
And will continue to do so till the end of mine. Continue reading →

When I Was Just A Little Girl…

~ Latifa @BlogCreatifa ~ 19 Comments

As a child, I used to curl up next to my dad while he was watching television or reading the paper. I used to watch my mum get ready and admire her Elizabeth Arden makeup and her Chanel No.5 perfume. When my parents were eating, if there was something they knew I liked, they would save it for me, even though they liked it themselves. They always wanted the best for us, their children – they encouraged us to study, taught us right from wrong, made us independent and confident, and even though they were quite strict about us going out too much – it was all for our betterment. I used to have nightmares when I was younger, usually being chased by something or someone, and [in the dream] I would keep running until I got to my parent’s bedroom, where I would immediately feel safe and no longer scared.
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Love Isn’t Always Perfect

~ Latifa @BlogCreatifa ~ 8 Comments

“Love isn’t always perfect. It isn’t a fairytale or a storybook. And it doesn’t always come easy. Love is overcoming obstacles, facing challenges, fighting to be together, holding on & never letting go. It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define, & impossible to live without. Love is work, but most of all, Love is realising that every hour, every minute, & every second was worth it because you did it together.“

– Unknown

Love isn’t a fairytale. We grow up hearing, reading, and watching super-romantic love stories, which instill unrealistic expectations in our minds. One of my recent posts (click here to read), got me thinking about my own love story and how I got where I am today. Over the last ten to fifteen years, I have seen a lot and learnt a little, and I wanted to share some things with you.

1. Women Do NOT Need To Be Rescued

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Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend

~ Latifa @BlogCreatifa ~ 6 Comments

image

I was happy alone
No expectations
Content with my life
Until I met him

He showered me with love
More than I thought possible
And swept me off my feet
No gesture too big or small

He understands me
Like no one else
And makes me smile
Where others fail

Every second of every day
He loves me
With no expectations
He loves me

I’m blessed to have found
Such a wonderful husband
And a loving friend
I feel so special

…because he loves me.

I was drafting this poem last Friday, with HD in mind (soppy, I know), when I heard the front door close.

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Is It Still February?

~ Latifa @BlogCreatifa ~ 9 Comments

My dad called this morning, as he routinely does every morning. He mentioned that my youngest brother has been offered a promotion at work. He had been filling in for someone who was away, and now he’s been offered the position permanently. I was immediately filled with pride but then sadness overcame me.

Mum always had a soft spot for him. He was born six weeks premature and was kept in an incubator for the first few weeks of his life. When he was a toddler his heart rate was elevated and he had to be monitored regularly. He had asthma, and would often end up in hospital. He was small for his age and was mum’s baby. He was just nine years old when mum passed away.

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I’ll Never Forget

~ Latifa @BlogCreatifa ~ 8 Comments

I’ll Never forget… Monday, the 21st of February, 2000.

The doctor had said mum could come home for the weekend but it’d probably be the last time that she did. Dad kept repeating those words and crying, as we were following the ambulance back to the hospice. Dad used to break down all the time but he’d try to stay strong around mum, making jokes in an attempt to make her laugh. When we got to the hospice, her bed was ready and almost waiting for her. She was being given painkillers constantly through an intravenous line, however when the doctor asked her if she was in pain she’d smile and say no. The doctor told us that people in the final stages of cancer usually scream in pain, but mum was so patient and calm.

Mum always was so gracious in the way she carried herself. She had a gentle, kind manner, but wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. She was breathtakingly beautiful but so modest and sweet. As a mum, she was strict and disciplined but always fair and forgiving. She was full of great advice and made an excellent listener. She always had a way of making everything better. I know it’s clichéd but she really was the best mum in the world.

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