Letter to Shivansh on your third birthday

My handsome and cutest Shivansh,

Happy Birthday my boy.

I just love your personality, incessant energy and charm. I love to tease you and act more like your sibling than your mom.

You’re funny and extremely perceptive, sensitive and expressive. You have no idea how much happiness you bring to each one of us. While am not on your favorite list, I know you seek my affection and attention.

I can’t believe that you’ve already grown out of my laps to get into a ‘big school’ (of course, if we’re lucky). While you start your school (too soon), I hope I can turn you into a person who is not fearful to imagine the unimaginable, who is not uncertain to talk about your whims and who is not afraid to dream. I hope you can think beyond text books and explore everything in this world with wonder and gratitude. Cherish every little wondrous thing that comes as a blessing.

The walls can be repainted, the beds can be remade, the floors can be cleaned again, and new furniture can be purchased. So, live your childhood fearlessly my baby but above all learn how to respect every creature, have compassion, be generous and learn to have gratitude for everything right, and for everything ‘not so right’, have the confidence to make it right.

From your mom who might seem busy on her laptop (with no time to play with you) but something that makes her truly happy and content. I hope there will be someday when you will understand.

Letter to Shreya on your third birthday

My pretty little damsel Shreya,

Happy Birthday my girl.

I have one small little ‘Hindi’ word that can be so aptly used for you – You’re a ‘pataakha’. You really are something with your attitude. But when you hug me like there’s no tomorrow and kiss me for no reason, I just melt a thousand times and wish time could come to a standstill. When you do that, I get it why people crave for children. Your love is the most comforting feeling in the world and it alleviates me of every little worry.

I fear the day when you won’t seek me or sleep over my chest. I might crib about it every morning but it’s the most comforting thing in the entire day.

While you shine bright academically, I hope you become more social, communicative and expressive. I honestly hope you learn to scale any difficulties with ease. I hope, like I hope for every child, you become independent, kind, compassionate and sensitive to your surroundings. Most importantly, I hope you are fearless and absolutely self-assured.

From a mom who will always have your back (whether you like it or not).