The Second Birthday Wish

Dear Gautam,

I am a couple of days late in writing this, but when I write for you, I want to write from my heart. I don’t want to rush it at all. The last few days, weeks and months have been overwhelming for our family, even you. Dadda is not around because he has to take care of dadi in Bombay. But it’s not all bad. In fact, since I am writing to let you know about your 2nd year, and wish you for your 3rd, let me tell you what it really has been like–one hell of a ride!

From the tiny little one year old struggling to form his first few words, you’re now a singer and how! Here’s a list of some of your favourite songs through the year-

1. Lakdi ki kathi
2. Ichak dana
3. Nani teri morni
4. Chanda mama
5. Choon Choon karti aayi chidiya
6. Daadi amma
7. Lalla lalla lori
8. jungle jungle baat chali hai
9. nanhe munne bache
10. bum bum bole

This list is not exhaustive of course. I am pretty sure that I am missing several songs. You frame complete sentences, which is brilliant for your age. If your habits at this point in life were to be any indicator of what you will be when you grow up, I would bet that you would be a singer. You’re so cute when you sing, and even when you don’t know what certain words mean, you remarkably rote them just because you want to sing them! You also love reading books. That’s a sure shot way to calm you down. We can see how much reading tickles your imaginations.

You started playschool on 6th October, 2022. There was not a single day of crying or tears. You fit right in, doing your own thing, interacting with your environment and the people around you. You already have a best friend-Zach, who you both have been playing with since you were about 1.5. The bond that you little boys share is so special and rare, that a part of me hopes it lasts forever. The good thing is, Zach also goes to your school. That worked out great!

But it’s not all A+ on your report card bubba. You have been biting and pinching a lot the last couple of months. I’m sure it is just a phase and will pass. This is one of the things I want to talk to you about today. You’re growing up so quickly, and so beautifully. It’s fascinating for me everyday, but it is not always going to be perfect. You will falter, like all humans do, and it is my job to try to teach you to do the right thing, to the best of my understanding. You will not always like it. It is going to be difficult for you, but trust me, it is going to be equally difficult for me. I will question myself over and over again to ensure that what I pass on to you, my methods and my timing are what is best suited for you. I will always hear you out. I promise you that, because little as you are, and a little naughty as you are, you are a very smart kid. For instance, I have been shoving tulsi kadha down your throat forcefully for the last few months because you had a terribly sore throat. I know it is very spicy, but I had to ensure you drink it. So today, you opened your mouth for me, yourself. No force, no pressure. That’s how wise a kid you are even at the tender age of 2. You know what needs to be done needs to be done. Might as well get it done and move on with the day! What I want you to know is that no matter how right or wrong you are, or how right or wrong I am, I will always love you unconditionally. I will always have your back when you falter. Maybe I will let you fall, but know that it’s because I need you to get up by yourself. Just know that I am right there. Always.

I also want to tell you this. Over the last one year, Dadda and I have conceptualized a cheese brand and around Diwali, it came to life. Work got demanding very unexpectedly. And for the last couple of months, I haven’t been around you as much as I would have liked to be. And while you have, once again breezed through my absence, your absence has been tough on me. I want to spend every moment with you, make all your meals myself, feed you every meal myself, bathe you every morning and evening myself. Thankfully we have been getting the last one done! Unfortunately, I am not being able to balance it all out, at least not yet. But I promise you that I will. I will never let you feel that I am gone for too long, especially while you’re so tiny.

Gautam, when you hold my face in your tiny hands and plant kisses all over, I am complete. What I feel is indescribable. All I can say is thank you for coming into my life. Everything that I do, every small victory, failure, joy, sadness is equally yours, because you are a part of me. And now listen to what I wish for you this time. You are a curious little one, always asking “ye kya hai” since you had just turned 1. This year, I wish your curiosity never dies. I wish that you keep finding answers, keep asking more questions, and continue having the colorful imagination you have today-to find elephants in droplets of spilled water and horses in the sky and owls in tree trunks. Know that this world is full of possibilities for you, if only you can find them.

I love you.

Mammaiya