For Jonathan in Future

Here I am at the birthday card section of my favourite stores, looking for a perfect card for a toddler. Most of the cards here are for older children.

I understand that greeting card producers may not feel the need to create a card for a 4-year-old as many kids of that age are just learning to read. However, I need a way to convey this burst of mixed emotions I have had since we started the month of September.

September is a special month for me as it reminds me of the days that preceded the birth of Jonathan.

Four years ago, God gave me a precious gift; and he has grown into a sweet and loving toddler.  He says I love you, Mummy at least once every two hours and gives me random unsolicited hugs and kisses.

Every 13th of September for the past three years, I always write a birthday note for Jonathan and store it in my cloud. I hope that when he grows up and can read, he can relate to how I felt during his birthdays these early years.

I also wish there was a way I could put together in one place all the birthday cards, shout-out and best wishes from his dad, his aunties, his teacher, grandparents, and other loved ones. We often get many messages via social media and phone calls on his birthday.

I have always wondered if there was a way I could save and keep all of them in the same folder. I want my son to grow up knowing how much we all love him and how much he will always mean to us.

Back here at the store, the minutes are going by faster than I envisaged. I had spent the last 20 minutes picking up, reading, and putting card after card back on the shelf. None of them was saying the right thing.

Besides, how do I get the birthday card across to my husband, who works in another city? How do I get my parents to write on it? If there was no distance barrier, will the card contain everyone’s message? These and many other thoughts were running through my mind.

Still buried in my thoughts, I heard someone call out my name. The voice sounded familiar, so I turned to see, and our eyes locked. It was my high school friend, Stephanie.

I was happy to see Stephanie. She has three kids, so I felt she would understand why I need to create a beautiful birthday memory for my son and so could perhaps help me decide on the perfect card to get for my son.

After narrating my ordeal, Stephanie said ‘Temi, you do not need a paper card; all you need is a Firacard”.

“A Firacard?” I asked.

As I had never heard of Firacard until now. I was about to ask the store attendant where Firacards were displayed when Stephanie whispered to me that Firacards are e-cards.

“Really? I do not have to spend minutes at the greeting card section in a store?” I asked, still trying to understand what Stephanie was telling me.

“No, you don’t, Firacard is an online e-greeting card platform designed to replace paper greeting cards.

“You simply register on the platform, create a card for your son, personalise it with a background you like, and send the link to everyone you would like to send wishes to Jonathan. It is saved in a cloud for you forever” she retorted.

Stephanie was the one in our high school days who had all the latest information on what was going on worldwide. She knew about new trends, technology, fashion, and style. I knew I could trust what she was saying.

Right there and then, I went to the platform, registered, and created my first card for my son.  Then I sent it to his dad, uncles, aunties, and grandparents so that they could add their own sweet words for our beloved Jonathan.

I’m glad Stephanie told me about Firacard.

With Firacard, I no longer need to worry about connecting with my loved ones or putting together nice words from our family and friends. I look forward to doing this every September.

Jola, Lagos

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