You had a bit of a gum infection and daddy took to for an emergency gum abscess removal. I was not there. I was in a real estate event.

Vahid said you were really scared, and you were sweating all over your body. You had to be anesthetized. But I am deeply proud of you, and I am really happy that your dad was there with you.

As I told you, being brave is not about not being scared. It is about doing the right thing, and managing the situation EVEN though we are scared.

Maman Fakhri had given you a bracelet with designs that are supposed to keep you from evil’s eye.

You found the bracelet in Toronto, as I was cleaning drawers and asked me about it:

– Mom, what is this?

– This is a bracelet that Maman Fakhri gave to you. These designs are supposed to keep people from evil eye. Do you know what it means?

– No?!

– It is some kind of superstition. Do you know what superstition means?

– No?!!

– Some people believe in specific things which are quite unsubstantiated and have no scientific evidence. For example, some people believe that 13 brings bad luck, or 7 or 8 bring good luck. Now, some people believe that if someone says something good about my hair, for example, something really bad will happen to my hair! This is called evil eye. But there is no scientific proof for any of those beliefs. Such beliefs are called superstition. Now, it is your choice. Do you want this bracelet?

– No, thanks. I don’t believe in any of these.

And….the bracelet is now somewhere in Toronto. I am happy you are smart and reasonable enough to refute superstition, my dear Deeba.

In August,you and I were swimming in the pool downstairs. One of the neighbors was there too. She was talking to me about the places that we have lived.

Me: we lived in Toronto for almost 15 years, and then we came down to San Jose in 2016.

You continued: You know, we ran away from our family and friends all the way down from Toronto to San Jose!!!!

–  Mom, what is this poster about?

-It is about donating food for hungry kids.

-Why are they hungry?

– What do you think?

-hmmm…I guess their parents ate all the food!

-@#$$%#$@?!?!

Your dad had to go to a business trip. He was packing and was to leave in half an hour.

You asked:

-بابا, چرا باید بری مسافرت؟

– به خاطر کارم, دیبا جون. تو هم که بزرگ بشی حتما برای کارت می ری مسافرت.

– نه. من هیچ وقت این کار رو نمی کنم.

– حتما می کنی, دیبا جون. زندگی خیلی عجیبه.

– نه ددی, زندگی عجیب  نیست. آدمها عجیبند.  تو عجیبی!

I have no idea how you turned out so incredibly smart.

You are adorable.