Happy birthday to both !

Today, as I watch you step into another year of life, I find myself reflecting on my own journey.

In my late teens, I dreamt of IIT and BITS. Those never saw light.

In my early twenties, I dreamt of going to the US and building career and lot of money. Instead, fate connected me to a stranger who became my life partner—your father. and life took a different path.

An year later, when I finally made it to the US, life had other plans. My first baby was coming, and I returned to India by 7th month. Cheeku was born and 4th month onwards, i joined work. It was tough but daddoo didnt let me extend my leave. It was hectic with early mornings, handling a new born and also ensuring office work is done to the best ! before i could settle into the new rhythm, you entered our lives, and before i knew, everything was changing within me, around me.

I was no longer chasing dreams for myself.

I started dreaming for my children.

You and Cheeku became the center of my world. My days were filled with your laughter, your questions, your milestones, your joys, and of course your stubborness and crankiness. For years, my heart walked beside yours, celebrating every step and worrying over every stumble.

As you grew older, my role slowly changed. You needed fewer answers from me and more space to discover your own. The teenage years combined with COVID taught me one of the hardest lessons of motherhood— the need to let go. I couldnt bear you eating junk food, sitting late nights glued to laptop and ipad, putting headfones all the time, not wanting to own up any duties or responsibilities in the family and what not ! Anxiety gripped me, my heart weeped but had to console myself that it was not due to wrong parenting and some day you both will acknolwedge your upbringing. 

As you walk new paths, make new friends and hop on new adventures, always remember to come back, for Daddoo and I will be here, cheering for you, worrying about you, yet believing in you.No matter how far you go, you will always be the little kids who changed my world and the ones my heart will forever yearn for. I will always be privileged to be the place you both first lived and safely thrived ! 

May your life be filled with courage to chase your dreams, wisdom to choose right paths, kindness to touch lives, and the strength to always remain true to yourself. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Baby bro turns 18!

'Baby bro' - thats how Sreya has stored your name on her phone ! XX--------------------------------X---------------XX More delicate than your sister, you were always our baby—the one we held a little closer and cared for a little more. You grew up around us, always wanting us to be part of your day, yet exploring your own world—Pokémon, Beyblades, puzzles, legos,books, athletics, soccer, cubing, chess… and so much more. Electronics was a weakness from very young age. In the early years, to gently wean you away from it, we spent hours together at the library—bringing home piles of books, turning reading into a shared joy. Bringing up two bundles of energy was very challenging. I struggled in many ways, but. I was completely invested in you— ensuring your safety , cooking every meal, driving you to classes, listening to your stories between my meetings, catching glimpses of your school activities, and joining you in running, hiking, and everything in between. My words and actions...
Read more

Of colors and retail therapy..

After a 2 (or 3 ? )month break from blogging i am back..a ten day vacation to Jaipur and delhi during pooja holidays,"maid" void days and such had made me extremely busy. Still when i sit back and relax for a while during the busy days, i do think of my little blog space. Jaipur is an enchanting place with large forts, bazaars and streets full of colorful handicrafts,rajai, camels and of course bangles. I became crazy when i saw the streetside choodiwala and became contented only after buying 10 dozens of  bangles, made of cut glass and mud. I wonder how many days they would with me intact still it was my big wish to buy some of those and i did ! I cannot recollect when my love for Gujju and Rajasthani handicrafts began but i know i love them lots.Love the bright colors and the awesome combinations.In the scorching heat, most of the desi Rajasthanis looked a tired lot ,carrying water and making rotis all the time but their ideas and skills are a class apart. The Pink city w...
Read more

Quack quack, when the earth shakes...

We were munching on those chicken legs when my phone rang. It was Merly. She was out of CPP building and called to enquire if we had experienced an earth quake. My belief is that india ,esp bangalore, never had/would have one ! So i smiled away saying i am out of office and having fun with teammates at Barbeque Nation. Parties have been a culture at corporates and off late though we were devoid of company sponsored quaterly project parties, onsite guys were kind enough to sponsor one. It was first time for me in this place, so i was still wondering at the Barbeque arrangement on each table, the corporate crowd and so on. Prawns, chicken and fish lay on the barbeque for us.Another few minutes and my cell rang again. It was another friend from office, to enquire if we experienced an earthquake. I guessed something was serious this time. Called hubby to realise that he too heard the news but hadnt experienced any shakes. After a while, we indulged back into the barbeques.When Stomach was ...
Read more