~ Reflections ~

How do you tell a 9 year old that her father is no more.... As adults, most of us grapple with the thought and logic (if any) behind a dear one leaving us... and I was suddenly left wondering what to say to this 9 year old !!! For the first time in a long time, I was left speechless, not because I didn't want to say anything, but simply because I didn't know what to say.. Does it make sense if I tell you that all of a sudden, I became the child with a rubbery tongue, and the 9 year old had turned into the adult, trying to respond sensibly and sensitively. I was stumped by the questions thrown at me.  I felt so insufficient in my responses, but the child took even that in her stride. The strength of character in facing not just the reality but also fighting each dilemma in her own sweet way left me in deep thought for some time to come. I hope no one has to face what this child did...  PS: I was faced with this recently when a close friend lost her husband, and I was told ...

We recently embarked on our first international trip with the Tiny Human (actually not so tiny anymore !)  and we discovered so many things about ourselves. It was a new geography, new food, different people et all, and we were actually wondering how it would pan out. But the realization that... we always underestimate the ability of strangers to empathize and help... a place might be new, but people are to you, as you are to people.. a change of place actually gives your mind a break, even if the daily chores being followed remain the same.... hmmm.... they were all eye openers :) For all the double guessing and fear we had about this sojourn, it turned out fine... Needless to say the Tiny Human was fairly cooperative, atleast as cooperative as a two and a half year old can be... Ofcourse, it did help that the cab driver suddenly played rhymes in the car when he heard him bawl, and the waitress gave a special empty bowl for him to play with once in a while. All in all, a brea...

The toughest part of managing a child, besides getting them to eat right, is to get them to sleep :) Oh yes, you might be dreary and sleepy, but that doesn't seem to rub onto the child, or ease them to sleep. Often, one might rock oneself to sleep before the Tiny Human finally dozes off. It makes me wonder if I was as much a pain to put to sleep. With time and experience, each of us develop our own styles and techniques to achieve the ultimate outcome.. no judgement on the means to the end :) :D I've finally found a list of songs which seem to help in the task, without realizing that these songs have become my favourites anyway ! Here are the top 5. 5. Surmayi Akhiyo Mae (Hindi, Movie: Sadma) : Somehow Yesudas singing this song to you seems to be the perfect recipe to call upon sleep. Needless to say Gulzar weaves magic through those words. 4. Sapnon ke Ghar ki  (Hindi, Movie: Daddy)  : This is one is definitely one of the best of Talat Aziz. Hadn't heard of the lyricist ...

Progeny has a funny impact on how we look at things... The urge to see a piece of you in flesh and blood is so strong. that we seem to loose all sense of perspective till we do it :) We wish and pray for a creation, who is like us :) Ironically, the similarity we often seek is in the form of the 'adorable' smile, the eating habits, intelligence,  body language.. the list could go on... But what truly matter is what kind of person the child is, the nature, attitude, demeanor... and the key to this is more the environment and upbringing than the gene pool. Don't get me wrong, the gene pool is a good trendsetter, but it is not 'the' reason for someone turning out a certain way. So when we all seek for a part of us in someone else, we need to remember what matter.. I mean what truly counts !