Dear Daughter ....

I turned 44 some days back but for you I tu r ned 4 this year!  And there’s a very Rheya - kind of  reason for it – it just so happened that you decided to pick a pair of number 4 candles for me. We got to the restaurant and before  I could  cut the cake, you were showing off the candles to your friends  when  one of the 4s dropped in the gap between the sofas – never to be retrieved. So, I cut a cake that was declaring me to be four again. Since then, whenever there is mention of my age, that’s what you end up talking about. “Remember, you are four years old now?” We had a nice and busy summer this year. We went camping with all your classmates and their families . It  ended up being a pleasant experience. We had to leave the same day as your summer concert so while you were busy in school preparing for this concert for months, your mom and I were busy doing a lot of shopping and preparations for the camping trip for an even longer time....

You’ve just turned six about 10 days ago but we had your birthday party a fortnight ago – owing to lot many other birthdays in your class taking up the other weekends. As always, you were more excited about the party than the birthday itself.  The party this year was a pottery painting workshop kinds and a relatively muted affair as compared to the last few years. It went well despite a tricky weather and all the girls (and one boy – Samyuktha’s brother) got to have little mementos of the pieces that each of you painted. You even had a plate with a little finger impression for each of the attendees and their names. Your birthday itself, was a festive occasion as you got to lead prayers in school and even got a certificate for some comprehension work. you did at school. As always, we had friends over in the evening and that made it even more special. You had opened most fo your gifts by this time and were buzzing with excitement. It was Father’s day ...

We recently came back from another fun filled holiday to Corfu with Anvi and family. As always I was tempted to write about the holiday myself but I've managed to 'outsource' the responsibility to you this time! You've already written four sheets and I've got to say, I’m impressed. It is quite refreshing to read and realise what was more important from your perspective. We’ve just got a book for you to stick your notes on with some pictures from the trip. So at some point I'll be able to post here the unadulterated version of your own experiences. We do have own chats and catch-ups where I try and understand what's going on in that little but immensely expansive canvas of your mind. We are back to our afternoon walks with Sky where we get ample time for you to tell me all about your friends at school, your teachers and everything else. We have found a new path and a new field this season. It goes through a green grassy  patch (you think it looks li...

So, we are back to sharing journeys in the morning. After a gap of a good two and a half years, I am now available in the mornings to get you ready and drop you off to school before going to work myself. Yes, during those 2 and half years, I did do it every now and then as well but its a bit more on a regular basis for now. It does come at some financial cost and it might not last too long but I am thankful enough for the option nonetheless to grab it in both hands with a lot of gratitude. I say ‘again’ but there is a sea change in the journey since your nursery or even pre-school days. What a massive time 2 & a half years could be, when you are going from age 3 to 5 and beyond ! We share part of the journey with Aadya and its a great chance for me to be a witness to your exchanges. Its like literally having a front row seat on a window to your world. Like any two friends, the two of you have a unique chemistry. At times, either of you would have a very exciting announcement ...

8th January 2019 You and I were coming back from a little chore. It was the last day of your winter vacations and I was trying to encourage you to write up some lines about the great time we had over Christmas and New Years. You had been a really good girl and practiced some maths skills besides your regular homework. However, you were not too keen on writing. So I said - “Maybe you should write something about me. Or something to me. I write to you all the time. “ ”Really ? I haven’t seen anything that you have written to me !” - was your instant and obvious remark. “Well I write for you so that when you grow up, you can read all about what you were like when you were little. I write the date for what happened and when so you could read and remember it all” - I said, trying to simplify this blog for you. ”Have you written about the two cupcakes that you got for me ?” - you asked. ”The cupcakes we got in your ballet class ? Sure I can write about them. And I will also write abo...