Sorry for that supremely lame title, but I do think it is a notch better than what came to my mind first - Maine tujhe khat likha (anyone remember / know that song?!;)
So, I am attempting to share some life lessons with Cub and Bub in this one. Of course, my life has been ridiculously simple (knock on wood!), so I really do not have lot of varied experiences or major wisdom to share, but one has to make do with what one has, isn't it? :)
My dearest Cub and Bub,
It is an absolute joy to have YOU in our lives. Yes, it is also tiring and sometimes extremely frustrating, but most of the times it is fun. We revel in your achievements - big and small and feel your pain. We love seeing you become little people from being just ugly monkeys when you were born.
Stay happy. It really is a lot simpler than what most people think. Be kind and generous - with what you have and, even more importantly, with your time.
Smile - a lot! Cry when you feel like - it will make your heart feel that much lighter. Help others - every chance you get - whatever way you can. Just the other day, my darling Cub you told me, you helped Ishaan and his mother by holding the lift door open while they struggled to get his cycle in. I pray such actions come naturally to both of you - always.
Read baby, READ! There is no greater joy in this world than reading a good book. Read bad ones too, so that you can know the difference. Books take you to so many new places and let you learn so many new things. They entertain you, make you laugh and cry and ponder and have different points of view. Buy books, join a library and gift the ones you love every now and then.
Write too. A journal or a diary or a blog like this. I never did have the patience when young, but I have been really enjoying jotting down things about you guys. I am sure you will enjoy reading about childhood through my eyes once you are older. You do not even have to be brilliant with words. It is just a way to look back, see how far you have come and smile! :)
Dance! Two left feet, two right feet or you dance like a dream. There is something fabulously invigorating and liberating about dance. If you want to learn it, go on and do that. Does not matter whether it is something classical or dhinchak Bollywood. Even if you don't know how to, always get up and dance! :)
Make friends and keep them. Meet them as often as you can. Ones you cannot, try and keep in touch with them. Phone calls, letter, emails and whatever else is there by the time you grow up. Let me also tell you that not all of them will respond and you will wonder why? Possibly even feel a little hurt. Just understand that some people may have different priorities and it is not always personal. I am terrible at this and you should really learn from your father. He is SUCH a people person and a genuinely good friend! :)
While on topic of friends, surround yourself by people who make you feel good about yourself. By that, I obviously don't mean a bunch of Yes Wo/men. They might tell you off when they feel you have been wrong, but never ever make you think any less of yourself. It is such a waste of time to surround yourself with negative people who pull you down at every given chance.
Family cannot be chosen, but it is important. You will meet all sorts in your life and our families are our first initiation into everything nice and weird! :p Love them and let them love you in their own way. It will not always be easy, and yet there is nothing quite like it! :)
Repeat after me: Love = Respect. Actually, no relationship is worth it if there is no respect in it. Always be polite. Say your thank you and sorry freely. It does not matter what age group or social status they belong to, no rudeness. EVER!
I wish I had the patience to write some more right now! (Hint: Next letter might start with "learn to be patient"!)
For now, you kids stay good, whine a little less and eat better, will ya?!
All my love
Mamma
So, I am attempting to share some life lessons with Cub and Bub in this one. Of course, my life has been ridiculously simple (knock on wood!), so I really do not have lot of varied experiences or major wisdom to share, but one has to make do with what one has, isn't it? :)
My dearest Cub and Bub,
It is an absolute joy to have YOU in our lives. Yes, it is also tiring and sometimes extremely frustrating, but most of the times it is fun. We revel in your achievements - big and small and feel your pain. We love seeing you become little people from being just ugly monkeys when you were born.
Stay happy. It really is a lot simpler than what most people think. Be kind and generous - with what you have and, even more importantly, with your time.
Smile - a lot! Cry when you feel like - it will make your heart feel that much lighter. Help others - every chance you get - whatever way you can. Just the other day, my darling Cub you told me, you helped Ishaan and his mother by holding the lift door open while they struggled to get his cycle in. I pray such actions come naturally to both of you - always.
Read baby, READ! There is no greater joy in this world than reading a good book. Read bad ones too, so that you can know the difference. Books take you to so many new places and let you learn so many new things. They entertain you, make you laugh and cry and ponder and have different points of view. Buy books, join a library and gift the ones you love every now and then.
Write too. A journal or a diary or a blog like this. I never did have the patience when young, but I have been really enjoying jotting down things about you guys. I am sure you will enjoy reading about childhood through my eyes once you are older. You do not even have to be brilliant with words. It is just a way to look back, see how far you have come and smile! :)
Dance! Two left feet, two right feet or you dance like a dream. There is something fabulously invigorating and liberating about dance. If you want to learn it, go on and do that. Does not matter whether it is something classical or dhinchak Bollywood. Even if you don't know how to, always get up and dance! :)
Make friends and keep them. Meet them as often as you can. Ones you cannot, try and keep in touch with them. Phone calls, letter, emails and whatever else is there by the time you grow up. Let me also tell you that not all of them will respond and you will wonder why? Possibly even feel a little hurt. Just understand that some people may have different priorities and it is not always personal. I am terrible at this and you should really learn from your father. He is SUCH a people person and a genuinely good friend! :)
While on topic of friends, surround yourself by people who make you feel good about yourself. By that, I obviously don't mean a bunch of Yes Wo/men. They might tell you off when they feel you have been wrong, but never ever make you think any less of yourself. It is such a waste of time to surround yourself with negative people who pull you down at every given chance.
Family cannot be chosen, but it is important. You will meet all sorts in your life and our families are our first initiation into everything nice and weird! :p Love them and let them love you in their own way. It will not always be easy, and yet there is nothing quite like it! :)
Repeat after me: Love = Respect. Actually, no relationship is worth it if there is no respect in it. Always be polite. Say your thank you and sorry freely. It does not matter what age group or social status they belong to, no rudeness. EVER!
I wish I had the patience to write some more right now! (Hint: Next letter might start with "learn to be patient"!)
For now, you kids stay good, whine a little less and eat better, will ya?!
All my love
Mamma
9 comments:
Loved it! Some of it is what I would want to tell myself, too.
Right before the Cub came, an older cousin told me, raising kids is 1% your efforts, and 99% external influences. Sure took the pressure off!
Hope and pray the mix of rasing by example, external factors, and their innate qualities works out right and make them nice human beings like you.
Thank you..not only Cub/Bub, even people like me have a lot to learn from the letter...LOVED it :)
This is such a good read. Made me think what all I want to pass onto Shreya :).
Lovely letter ..may be I will share it with Aryan and Khushi too ..if you dont mind ...and may be I should also read it often
Abha- thanks for the letter, on my as well as Cub/Bub's behalf. They are perhaps, still too young to appreciate it, but you should certainly write more them. Waiting for the next one..
Very well written Abha. I am sure they are and will be proud of you.:)
Thanks Abha
http://aryan-khushi.blogspot.in/2012/08/a-letter-you-must-read.html
i like it...
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