Today my first born, Zoya, turned 4. 4!!  I love the innocence of a child. After Zoya had blown out her candles on her ice cream cake, I of course asked her what she had wished for. Do you know what she said? “Someone to love, Momma”.  UH WHAT? “But you have me and daddy, and Ya Ya (Grandma) and Nanaji (Grandpa)”, I said.  “No, momma, someone to love, like you have daddy”.  Slow your roll there kid. I mean, you JUST turned 4.  Admittedly, I did think what she said was pretty special.  I do love that she wants someone to love.  Her wish actually validated that Xin and I must at least be doing something right and providing a loving environment for her. I hope we can continue to be that symbol of harmony and love for her, that she herself would want that in her future- a yin and a yang. Or shall we say, the Shiva and Shakti? (Don’t read too much into that)

To ring in Zoya’s 4^th, we spent the day yesterday with some of her favorite people and her bff’s. Of course, as tradition would have it, we made sure the birthday girl got to eat noodles for longevity.  In Chinese culture, long noodles are a staple for birthdays and New Year’s. Eating long noodles signifies a long life for whoever is eating them. Longevity is one of the most celebrated ideals in Chinese culture, along with happiness, fortune, and prosperity. Taoism, a philosophy imbued in China’s religion and culture, says that without life, there is no meaning, and therefore having a long life means everything

We also spent the day embracing some of our good, old American traditions as well. We took the kiddos to Dylan’s Candy Bar in the city. How fun that was, seeing their wide smiles plastered on their faces while filling their bags with goblets of peach rings and chocolate covered worms. It was very reminiscent of my childhood- (well somewhat). I remember going to my local Armenian bakery in Queens and stock piling on those Jordanian Almonds almost every other day.  The mounds of the green, yellow, and white coated almonds was just pure joy in my mouth. I would savor them till the very last taste of the coating had melted.  How I wish to be a kid some days!

The day ended with us taking the kiddos to the Lego store in Flatiron- a beautiful mini replica of Lady Liberty made out of Lego blocks greeted us at the front. Zoya got a few pictures with it. I can only hope that she grows to understand and appreciate what Lady Liberty means for her – the symbol of freedom, a lit lamp that will always hold open its golden door for all those that enter……I hope……