Waiting...

Not a kiss, not a hug,

Not even a passing touch,

All I want is a little something,

To show me you care as much.

A word here, a smile there,

To know I'm in your thoughts,

Tell me my sweetest heart,

Is that asking for a lot?

  

                                 

My Appa- My Hero!!

I am writing about #MyRoleModel as a part of the activity by Gillette India in association with BlogAdda.com.

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Dear Appa,

As I begin to write this, I realize I have never written to you before! Perhaps, I have never felt the need to write, or tell you anything. You have understood every unspoken word and every unfinished sentence. Irrespective of whether you saw that expression on my face or heard it in my voice on a faraway telephone. That’s the power of you and your bond with me. 

Eternal.

I remember never having needed to ask you for anything. I have never known what to ask. You always gave it to me before I even realized the need to have it. You have brought me up like a true blue princess and I have never known what want is all about. You have taught us to be satisfied and happy than greedy and needy. You taught me that money was only as important as the things it could buy and never a penny more.

You stood against relatives who jeered at you for convent educating your girls. You told them your girls will make you proud one day. I hope we make you proud!  You gifted me my first moped on my 16^th birthday with a license to drive. You have let me ride free on the roads of life ever since, showing me what independence is all about.

It was you who pushed me into attending my first interview armed with a hand written resume and oodles of confidence. Whoever had heard of hand written resumes? But I remember you telling me that I had the most beautiful handwriting, the most charming smile and intelligence and if anyone would get the job, it would be me. I remember brimming with conviction that if you thought I could then I would. I remember dancing holding your hand as I showed you my appointment letter. You didn’t think twice when I wanted to go to a different city for that job. You gave me your blessing, while others thought you were being foolish to let a girl stay alone in a strange city.

You let me marry the man of my dreams; in spite of threats from the society, in spite of being ridiculed and in spite of being isolated. Letting me have my happiness was far more important to you than anything else. You always trusted my ability to make decisions, and I couldn’t thank you more for it. Without your faith, without your approval and without your blessing I would have faltered at every step.

You taught me how work was as important as family, friends and hobbies too. If your colleagues talk about your passion to your work, your zeal for theater and writing is still appreciated by your friends and your commitment is most valued by your family. That intricate balance of the three is something I still yearn to learn.

I have never seen a more positive person than you and I have always marveled at your strength to remain optimistic in any situation. You taught me that there is always a way out of our problems and no issue is big enough for us to give up. You taught me that no pain is permanent and the worst situations will also pass. Your sense of humor is your biggest charm and there is hardly anyone who will disagree to that!

You taught me never to hate anyone. You taught me the joy in giving to others, and reaching out to anyone who needs my help. You have led by example and that has taught me more than words ever could.

I never knew what inequality or gender discrimination was all about. Maybe that’s why I never understood why some people would kill their own girls, or deprive them of education or make honor such a big issue. Maybe that’s why I never understood what men could do better that I couldn’t. Maybe if all dads were like you, nobody would either. I am so thankful you raised me that way. Not like it was expected to raise girls, not like raising a girl as a boy, but simply raising a child, empowering me with skills to face the world, doing the best you could for me.

You have always been my hero and I may not say this enough, but you have been the best part of me growing up.

Love you always Appa,

Your little princess

Appa and me!!

The right to dream..

A couple of months ago, I visited my home town to spend time with my parents. I got the rare chance of meeting old school friends after almost 20 years! The girls’ were shining in varied fields and it filled my heart with pride and admiration to see everyone so well placed and successful. There were those who were the brightest in class and had always topped every exam and then there were those who did fairly well or not so well. But what was amazing is that each one had found their calling. From engineers, lawyers, and teachers, to working in the hospitality industry, running successful businesses and acting in television serials, each one had become successful in their own right. After 20 years it seemed like life had balanced itself leading each one us to follow our dreams away from the burden of the educational degrees that kept us tied up. 

To read the rest of the post go to parentous.com

Words...

Words, they have brought me joy,
Played pranks with my nimble heart,
Made it flip and skip a beat,
Encompassing me in their girt.

Words that healed an aching void,
Filling every cell with delight,
Taking me high among the clouds,
On the wings of a fantasy flight.

Words, they soured one summer day,
Biting the tongue with their tarty sting,
Pulling away the sheath of love,
Offering no comfort in the spring.

Words betray the way I feel,
They're no cheer to the wounded heart,
All they do is skewer and jab,
Numbing all that's fallen apart.

Words, they shoot like trenchant arrows,
Not meaning what they convey,
But yet manage to leave that scar,
Like a cleaver, they chip away. 

Words, they were all I had,
And now there's nothing left,
Stripped of love and robbed of warmth,
Peeled of hope and love bereft.

About the birds and bees..

The kids came running home after play last evening, sounding very excited. The cause of excitement, as I learnt later, were a couple of snakes in the open grassy land next to the apartment.

 “Mamma the snakes were mating,” the elder one told me, “or maybe they were fighting, because they were coiled together”.

I was suddenly all ears, more curious to know where he had picked up that word. Not wanting to sound scandalised, I casually asked him, “What is mating?”

“I think they were trying to have a baby.”

Gosh. How do kids even begin to know all this?

“Who told you that?” I asked him.

“My friend, C, he is 7^th std now, he knows.”

 “Hmm… ” I said, half expecting him to ask me how exactly do they do it!

“Will the snake lay eggs?” he wanted to know.

“Yea it will.”

“How are the human babies born? Did you lay an egg too when I was born?”

Read the rest of the post here at parentous.com