M-O-M

Read that upside down W-O-W. Now take that and multiply by 2. Your duties just increased manifold.

I've come to appreciate (I promise. I do) all that moms do. It's not simple. It's more complex than 'complex' can probably mean. It redefines priorities, makes or breaks opinions and makes way for earth shattering resolve and commitment. 

I've dealt with strangers giving me 'the' looks while trying to calm down a tantrum throwing 2yr old who insisted that her car seat was 'not safe'. I've had to learn to change diapers under all circumstances with enviable efficiency - all the while managing not to lose my cool even though the screams would set off scared adults running right out of the restrooms! I've had to deal with the pangs of dropping of a totally dependent toddler at daycare and leave to work feeling guilty about what I had just done. I've had my creativity torn to tatters while trying to rake up stories about dinosaurs,monsters and all possible scary creatures just so my toddler would eat that morsel of food. I've stayed up many nights trying to soothe a fussy child. I don't know where I had and still have the energy and patience for all this.

I've had my moments of elation and pure unadulterated fun. Like the moments when my preschooler told her teacher 'My mommy makes the best dinners - but I don't eat it' or when she came running into my arms at the end of day when I showed up for pickup. The sheer joy of listening to her singing with garbled lyrics was limitless. Her bumblebee song went like this 'I'm bringing home my baby bumblebee . Won't my mommy beecha kada mee!' It took sometime to understand the last bit was 'be so proud of me!' Her naughty side shows up every now and then. Like the time she hid my car keys and I wasn't able to find them even after a good 45 mins of searching all possible places. I called the school to tell them I wouldn't be able to drop off because I wasn't able to find my car keys. I got a call back from her teacher - asking me look inside a folded umbrella. Thanks to the attentive teacher - who had been briefed of the plan the day before, I got my car keys back. I turned to face my 3yr old keeping as straight a face possible only to find her rolling on the floor laughing - literally! She once told her teacher we spoke Spanish at home and the confused teacher asked me if I really knew Spanish. She laughed when I told her 'Gracias' and 'Amigo' sort of start and end my vocabulary. To her, Dad's mother tongue is French and her little sister's mother tongue seemed to be crying, at least till she can talk! 

I remember seeing her curious big eyes pop out whenever she was excited, and wondering where have we all lost that flickering sparkle of creativity and inquisitiveness. I relive my childhood in the company of my 4yr old after all the initial 'traumatic' baby years! I find her innocence brush upon me and bring more peace to my everyday life! How much ever I scream (very very rarely, if you're from Child services and reading this) she cuddles up with me and hugs me tight in her sleep! ahh...those moments! She is soon to be 5 and still doesn't stop amazing me with her thoughtfulness and questions. 'Who is Sita's mommy?' she asked me when she heard Ramayana for the first time. I told her 'Mother Earth' is what I remember as learning when I was a kid. 'Really? Planet Earth is a mother?'. I said I will find out more and come back with more accurate answers. 'That sounds like a plan, Amma!'. More recently, I was told not to stay alone at home because 'Ravana takes away all those who are alone at home'. I made a mental note of always sharing home-brewed stories about dinosaurs and Dora and leave mythology for later.

I confess to being studious in my younger days. At one point in my life, I was able to vividly recollect how  each of my school years went, what I scored in what grade and subject and what not! Not any more. My memory landscape has been altered considerably. The things I care to remember now seem much more profound than that grade I earned after two straight night outs for Electrical Sciences course. Immunization schedule has replaced course schedule and the day care number is on my  speed dial. Not that I'm out of touch with the non-mommy side of life, but just that this is more cherishable, somehow. I do fondly recall my school and college days and all the friends I've made and fun we've had through those times, and miss those carefree days. In the end, it's all part of growing up!