As I stand at the threshold of another year, I find myself immersed in a sea of memories and emotions. Today, as I celebrate my birthday, I can’t help but reflect on the extraordinary journey that has led me to this very moment.
Three years ago, a dream took hold of my heart and refused to let go. Night after night, it whispered to me, urging me to give voice to a story that burned within. That dream eventually became “Dear Uma” — a labor of love, passion, and unwavering determination.
I vividly recall celebrating my birthday back then, hunched over script pages, my mind swirling with doubts and fears. Was I chasing an impossible vision? Could I truly bring this dream to life? In that moment of uncertainty, I made a promise to myself: this would be the year I stopped waiting for permission to tell my story. I would seize the pen and write my own destiny.
Looking back, I am in awe of the transformative power of 365 days. The journey from dream to reality has been paved with challenges, doubts, and moments of sheer terror. I still remember trembling before my first production meeting, the whispers that followed me like shadows:
“She’s just a model.”
“She can’t handle this.”
“She’ll give up.”
There were nights when their words nearly extinguished the flame of my conviction.
But here’s the birthday wisdom I want to share with you all: Your breakthrough is often waiting just on the other side of your breaking point. When the naysayers tried to dim my light, I chose to love myself louder. When doors slammed shut, I built my own doorway. And when the medical mafia storyline was deemed “too controversial,” I knew in my bones that it was exactly the story that needed telling.
As I cut my birthday cake today (yes, I’m having an extra slice!), I’m celebrating not just another year of life, but the birth of a courage I didn’t know I possessed. From a flicker of an idea to a fully realized script and finally to the magic of the screen — “Dear Uma” exists because somewhere along the way, my fear of failure became smaller than my fear of never trying.
To everyone who has been a part of this incredible chapter — my family, friends, cast, crew, and the countless souls who have poured their hearts into bringing “Dear Uma” to life — my heart is overflowing with gratitude. Your belief, support, and unwavering faith have been the wind beneath my wings.
And to all the dreamers out there, still fighting for your vision: don’t let anyone dim your light. Your story matters. The world needs your unique voice, your passion, your truth. Keep chasing those stars, even when the path seems impossible.
Here’s to growth, gratitude, and the precious gift of beginning again. Another trip around the sun means another chance to break the wheels of doubt and build wings of possibility.
So let’s raise a toast to the power of dreams, the beauty of resilience, and the magic that happens when we dare to believe in ourselves. Here’s to another year of love, laughter, and chasing the extraordinary.
With a heart full of love and a belly full of birthday cake,
Sumaya 💫
#BirthdayReflections #GratefulHeart #DreamChasers #DearUma #NewBeginnings