Summer of 2009…

The past few months have been heavy on both my mind and heart. I used bring home a dirty laundry of emotions from work and was always occupied with looming layoffs, soiled company brand and uncertain tomorrow. But all this went out the door with the arrival of my nephew, a 26 month angel.

The moment I ring the door bell he yells “Arun mama” and the little feet charges towards the door like a pony. A loud chortle and an incandescent smile and he works his little fingers on the padlock with impatience and urgency to let me in the house. I must confess this is the best welcome I have ever had and no red carpet, confetti, and camera flashes can compare to his welcome.

It was goodbye melancholia and welcome euphoria. And even before I put my laptop aside and remove my footwear he is ready with his arms up in excitement. And the very moment I get him up on my hip he wraps his tender legs around my hip and goes non-stop like Rajdhani express to apprise me of his day. My fatigue and pre-occupation dissipates instantly hearing his narration both in words and action.I discovered the truth in my grandmother’s statement "kids will make you forget any sorrow". Trust me kids are mood enhancers and endorphins unlimited.
Mornings are always busy and hormonal, but these days it is more special with the little one. The first word he would utter when he wakes up is “mama” and it means I have to cuddle up with him in the bed and I have tell him our plans for the day and then slowly cajole him to get out of the bed and entice him to get into the toilet for ablution rituals. I have never felt this important in life. Does it sound like the Adam Sandler movie? Well have a nephew and then you will find out for yourselves.

He is always ashamed of being caught in his naked moments and if caught naked....he would close his eyes and say "shame shame puppy shame". Who will not enjoy this innocent recital? It is fun infinite and 24 by 7.

Just to watch him mischievously pee in the bucket of water (reminds me of Peter Sellers), gleefully lather the fresh bar soap, swallow the paste while brushing the "arisi pall" (size of rice grain) is just priceless. I have never received “Knighthood” to understand the honor and pride, but it compares no way close to “Mamahood”.

At times it his innocence and at times it is his maturity that leaves me in awe. Like a prince he would look up and down his closet to decide on the clothes to wear. On the way out he would reel out the agenda for the day - Citi center, beach, ice-cream and if I didn’t pay attention he would just keep repeating at the same decibel until I acknowledged and agreed on his nagarvalam itinerary. Sometimes I wonder if he was going through his schedule of events while deciding his attire for the day.

Once dressed, he would parade into the prayer room to prostrate and recant "Mudha karatha modhakam" at his own pace and infant style. Even MS will come second to his devotion. After smearing viboothi on his forehead he would end the prayer with "ammachi kaapathu". I am sure almighty would come down to my place everyday to enjoy this innocent, wholehearted devotion.
My life has been completely changed in the past month. So many small things that I never noticed due to fast paced lifestyle suddenly appeared in my canvas of life. Life paused, canvas turned colorful and air filled with child talk. I have childproofed (oovaa, mum mum, thacchi, pappu, etc.) words and at times even added new ones to my dictionary. Definitely it was childhood relived for me.

Everything that he does is a treat to my eyes and ears. It is a pleasure to watch him clap and enjoy nursery rhymes while he gulps down "pappu and thachi mum mum"(a special tam brahm kid meal). And sometimes I will have to come up some random fairy tale to make him eat the meal. It is heartwarming to see him pace up and down the room engaging in a conversation on the mobile phone. There is so much happiness to see him identify FMCG brands and chime in with the jingles. And when it comes to bedtime we have our pillow fights, hide and seek game under the blanket and our kathai session. He sucks his thumb and falls asleep as I keep patting him on the back and there were times when I fell asleep before him.

Every time I wear my footwear he wore his and was ahead of me to get out the door. It was never that easy to leave the house without him. There were days when I was late to work because he just wouldn't let me go and there were other days I proactively diverted his attention by turning on the cartoon channel before I sneaked out of the house. But he realized I was missing he would look for me in every room in the house. I never wanted to cheat the innocent child, but I had no other choice.

Anything that he does there is innocence, freshness and is it full of life. To watch his peacefully sleep besides me was meditative and calming. I don’t know if he felt secure sleeping next to me, but I felt secure sleeping next to him.

Today he is taking a flight to the US and next time when comes back for a visit he would turn a little over 3. It will never be the same again and he would have grown taller, bigger, and learnt more rhymes. He will forgot the games we played and the same home will seem like Mars to him and Mama will be an alien. I will miss those lovely welcomes, toys and balls scattered around the house, empty beds and no more bed time stories. It is now my turn wait for him looking at the doorway, to search for him in the house, pray like him when I step into the prayer room and remember him when I see his favorite jingles on television. Night will be longer even in this part of the world. May be I will use the long nights to learn new tricks for his next visit.

Pediatricians and mothers call it terrible twos, but for me it was alluring. I have had summer vacations, retreats at exotic locations, but nothing like spending time with this little brat. I am waiting for the next summer….

To see my adorable prince visit http://picasaweb.google.com/kdbulls/NeelChennaiVacation?authkey=Gv1sRgCOPrw5Cdpr_Fbg