1. Position Available: Mom

My adolescence culminated on a Monday in November in a hospital room with a baby girl in my arms.

Those big eyes searched only for me. Only my warmth was familiar to her. It seemed like someone had told her: Listen, this person that had you in her belly will take care of you. Her breasts will feed you. Her arms will rock you, and protect you. Her voice will sing you lullabies and teach you words. Her hands will caress and guide you through life. Her lips will give you smiles and kisses. Her glance will give you self-assurance and appreciation, and that heart that once beat besides you, will always be filled with love for you. You are her responsibility. She is your mother.

Without knowing well what all this meant and entailed, I embraced my new role with all my soul. I was delighted with all kinds of plans to become the best mom this little girl could have. There had to be a system to do this.

The little girl grew up with strong roots that helped her stand her ground during the monsoon seasons. She developed within a resilient core like that of a bamboo stem that helped her recover and strengthen after the storms. She blossomed into a lovely young girl sometimes shy and fragile, sometimes generous and energetic. Right in front of my eyes she transformed into a beautiful and intelligent young woman able to make her own decisions, create ideas and solutions and cope within diverse cultures. She learned to cook and use the drill, to knit and change tires, to manage projects and lead teams. She was now ready to start the flight. That was what her wings were meant for.