Happy Birthday, Sherry!

Happy Birthday Sherry!!!

Two days back you completed one glorious month on planet Earth. While you might not have realized it yet, you have changed both Mommy's and Daddy's life in more ways that you could ever imagine. Now, it is very difficult to imagine what we were like before you came. Life has turned a full circle and we are so thankful to have you with us.

Your first month has been filled with special moments, moments that we keep trying to capture forever. While we were partly successful there are many such moments that will live on in our memories always. I never thought I could spend hours looking at someone sleep and still not get bored and in fact, that it would be such a treat to watch. I have sat for those hours watching those tiny flickers of expressions on your beautiful face, yet so innocent and untouched. You smile, you cry, you pucker your lips, you stretch like a tiny cat, you go all red from the effort of stretching, you wipe your face, you frown, you arch your eyebrows..... these are just a few of the many other things you do when you sleep, all of these get transposed on my mind to be retained forever.

Many people over the centuries have waxed about the pleasures of being a father or parent. I've read about the feeling in so many different places myself. But I could have never imagined the profound emotions that run through me when I hold you in my arms. You feel so fragile, delicate and pretty that I am scared I might inadvertently hurt you. Affection that I never knew existed within me flows through just for you. I know that these moments will never come back again and what we are sharing now is something special, a bond that will never go away.

You have brought so much joy to us all, including your grandparents (both sets of them), your chacha and your maasi. It is both so funny and endearing to see them all watch you with the same moony expression. In a way, you have strengthened the love that always existed between all of us. Thank you for that, baby!

Am looking forward to the years to come which I am sure will be made special by you in one way or the other. Cheers to that!!!

Love,
Daddy

What does it take to be nice?

What does it take to be nice? Is it really that difficult to be nice to others? Why are there so many around us who behave as if to be nice to someone takes a lot out of them. Being made by the same Maker, I would have thought all of us would be blessed with the ability to bring a smile to a fellow being. But no, whereever you go, you end up getting stressed, irritated, peeved, angered, aggravated and hostile - and all of this due to how other people treat you.

Let me try and ask some questions as to what it would take for someone to be "nice" in certain situations:
1. What does it take to smile and say "thank you" to the rickshaw / taxi driver who drops you to where you want to go? Agreed, you have paid him his due fare but even then, what does a smile cost you?

2. What does it take to get up and offer your seat to a senior citizen / a lady whose expecting or lady with too many bags / a small child in a crowded bus or train when you yourself might be better off than them?

3. What does it take it stop your vehicle for a moment and allow people trying to get across a busy intersection on foot to cross over?

4. How much would it cost for you to hold the door open for the person coming right behind you while entering any place especially when you know the door is going to abruptly swing back after you have passed through?

5. Is it really difficult to not reach negatively after certain people say something not so nice about someone behind their backs and instead clarify the issue out with the individual in question?

6. How tough would it be for you to own up to something you were responsible for rather than passing the blame on to someone who was not even aware of the situation?

7. Would it be very difficult for you to offer your help to someone who was trying to do something you are very good at and they are not at all able to do it?

8. Can you graciously accept a compliment from someone you barely know without first suspecting that person about wanting something from you?

9. How difficult would it be for you to not snap at your loved ones, especially your parents / siblings / spouse when it is YOU who is tired and they ask you something without realizing that you may not be in the mood to answer them then?

10. If someone got something you coveted and did not get, would you be able to feel genuine happiness for that person, especially if they are friends of yours?

11. When was the last time you helped someone without expecting anything back and felt all the better for it?

Am not asking anyone to answer these questions in public. We are all adults and can think like adults. Only thing is some of us either forget it or choose to overlook it sometimes. Its not very evident in day-to-day life but the person who can honestly do all of the above is a much happier person.

Would love to hear your opinions because frankly, one does not see too much of niceness (I know this is not a word but I guess you know what I'm trying to say) these days!!

A Tag off the beaten track!

With the big event in my life recently, I've been caught up in a whirlwind of emotions. I have been dealing with them the best I can. Thanks to all those congratulatory messages and I completely agree that having a daughter is pure indescribable JOY!!! Oh, to watch her face when she's sleeping and see the tiny shifts of expressions!!! :-)))))) I could go on forever about that but for now, I thought I'd take a breather and post this rather interesting tag I picked up from Pixie's post!

This is a very different tag and makes for a multitude of mirrors in which one can see themselves for what they are. You, my dear readers have to express the answers to the questions below (obviously, the questions are about me) in my comments space. I'd love nothing but the honest truth. Even if it does not make me happy.

Here are the questions:

1. Who are you?

2. Are we friends?

3. Something I have and YOU want?

4. Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it.

5. Describe me in one word.

6. What was your first impression of me?

7. Do you still think that way about me now?

8. What reminds you of me?

9. If you could give me anything what would it be?

10. How well do you know me?

11. How do you see me in the future?

12. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn't

13. Are you going to post this in your blog and see what I say about you?

So let the answers flow!