Welcome to Club Six, My Love!

One hand is no longer enough to count your birthday,

So with two hands, I send you six blessings, six gifts, six cuddles, six wishes, six smiles, six tickles, and a bonus- unlimited hugs and kisses.

#Happy birthday, Mithu!

My dearest Shri,

Today as you turn Six years old, I cannot but be grateful to the Almighty. By his grace, your dad and I have witnessed the best 6 years of our lives, a phase full of love, joy, surprises, happiness, memories, anxiety, guilt, and much more. Son, I must write that you have been a fantastic child throughout this journey of 6 years. Obviously, when I write this, certain scattered instances have been wholly ignored by me except for the one mentioned in the postscript. Hey wait, do not jump to it; I suggest rather wish you read this letter in the same order as written.

Whenever I write an open letter to you on your birthday, I feel the time tick away. It seems you were a minute old just yesterday- a newborn who seemed so fragile with tiny floppy little arms and legs. Your wobbly head and neck scared me to the extent that I might break or hurt you if I did not lift you with utmost care. And today, you are SIX years old, and you get hurt several times, but neither you nor I give a damn because you are quick to respond, "it is okay, Mumma! We are bound to get hurt while playing and growing up, do not worry."

My Son, a mom, is naturally wired to worry until her last breath; it is just that with time she becomes an expert in disguising that part of hers from her kids and society for several reasons which are best known to her. So, my dear, consider and accept “Mumma and Worry” as a combo.

Let us move on to your milestones or memorable moments from the year gone by. Remember Shri, your Papa and I have lived, and enjoyed all and many more of them.

• You successfully completed your Kindergarten (KG) at home via online classes amidst the lingering corona fear worldwide. It was only in February 22 that you got to physically attend school, which means that you also started your formal education or schooling in the year gone by. Son, welcome aboard the Indian education system that will offer you no respite or will grill you for a decade and a half, starting now.

• During the few days, you attended KG class, it was a daunting task for your father and me to send you to school as you showed no enthusiasm or interest. The panic or anxiety you experienced at the mere thought of going to school was worrisome for both of us as it made your appetite and health go for a toss. But fortunately, and to our surprise, things eased out as you stepped into Class I, and we could breathe a sigh of relief. But still, Shri, given a chance, you would definitely skip school without a second thought. In this aspect, you are so like your Papa and unlike me.

• You also took your first formal test/examination this year as a Unit Test. You were so anxious and worried that your subject teacher, unlike kindergarten, would not help you in any aspect during the test. You did not get a sound sleep for that entire week, nor did we. No worries, Son! As you grow older, you will slowly decipher that life is going to throw not planned but surprise tests so many times, and in those trying times, these school tests will seem so petty. I know that you will not believe me until you reach that age. Patience, my dear, Mumma is seldom wrong.

• Until this year, we never thought that you had a flair for singing or music. But your Papa and I were amazed when one fine day, you came from school and sang beautifully a couple of songs in Hindi as well as English. Our first reaction was Wow! And then we clapped. For a couple of days that followed, you used to come home and sing songs just to hear us clapping and praising you in the end! We actually looked forward to it and thanked your music teacher for the same. Hey, do you want to know your favorite spot for singing? The potty pot, sitting on which you until date sing “Hey Sharde Maa-2, agyaanta se humhe 'paar' instead of 'taar' de Maa.” My dear, do not be embarrassed as you read this when you grow up thinking Mumma revealed your little secret to the world. My child, these instances are the ones that reflect the innocence of a kid in a world that becomes cruel and judgemental as you grow older. Be proud that you enjoyed your childhood with both your parents.

• You can now play your favorite songs all by yourself or with some help. As of now, the two songs that you play on a loop are 'Mitwa' from the movie 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' and 'Love you Zindagi' from the film with the same name.

• Not only you but Mumma too got her first two-wheeler (a bicycle). We both learned to ride together, and most of our evenings were spent biking this year.

• You also took your maiden flight this year, which was probably one of the major highlights of the year gone by because it had the power to change your dream or life goal. I am going to pen down your flying experience in my next blog. After your flying experience and watching your first movie, "Top Gun: Maverick," in the cinema hall, you want to become not Elon Musk Uncle but a fighter pilot. Your previous dream stayed with you for almost two years; let us see whether this one becomes more robust with time or makes way for another. Whatever the case may be, never stop dreaming, my son!

• In the year gone by, you have learned to say NO, and stick to it. In many aspects, this shows you are growing slowly from a dependent person to an independent human. Whereas your ability to take a couple of decisions for yourself gives me pleasure as this is what parents eventually train their children for. Still, when this stubborn NO of yours comes for your own parents, it is then that we question ourselves, is this creation actually ours? Yes, of course! We created a human with a brain of his own and not a robot who takes and follows every single instruction. Remember, my son, as you grow up into a confident adult, you should not only be able to take your decisions but own them too, even if they go wrong. In case you ever need our help, never hesitate to ask. Our parents are the only people in this world who will not judge us, and yes, asking for help is never a sign of weakness; just remember to choose carefully the people whose support you wish to seek.

• One thing I noticed just a few days ago was how easily you used the three magical words for someone who wasn't family. This, too, was your first. You excitedly said "I love you" to a friend of yours- a boy, to be specific. Mumma should not be but, for a moment, was jealous. I always thought that these words from you were exclusively for your loved family members and me. But you proved me wrong. Remember, Shri, that these words, which come so quickly to you as a child, will slowly become less frequent in your vocabulary as you grow up; which actually is okay! These are amongst the most powerful and magical words. As you mature, use them with care only when you truly and deeply mean them. Until then, let your innocence rule your heart and your brain. Disclaimer: The above statement should not affect your frequency of saying I love you to me as you blossom.

• While watching you sleep comfortably sandwiched between your parents, my mind and heart often drag me in different directions. The heart wishes I could somehow stop time and hold you as tight as possible in my arms, plant innumerable kisses, and never ever let you go. Still, the rational mind says you set him free, teach him to fly, let him conquer the world he desires for himself, and accomplish his purpose on earth. After a solid debate, the mind not only wins but rules until I watch you sleep in the same manner again.

Wishing you once again a blessed birthday, my love!

Love, wishes, kisses, and blessings.

A grateful Mom with a heart that beats unconditionally for you.

PS. Just a day before your birthday, you seemed interested in calling two schoolmates, your best friends to your birthday party for the first time. Guess next time we get to celebrate your birthday with your friends. Thus, this birthday was extra special because we had you entirely by ourselves.

PS. Shri, this letter is reaching you a few days past your birthday, and I am sorry. Read further to know the reason.

On the day of your birthday, you were beautifully dressed in a military print dungaree perfectly matched with a polka dot white T-shirt. Since it was for the first time that you were going to celebrate your birthday at school (courtesy COVID), all the gifts were nicely wrapped for students, the principal, your class teachers, kindergarten teachers, and helpers. Papa and I excitedly dropped you to school, and on our way, we met your class teacher, who wished to see me after school. When Papa and I came to pick you up, you were so excited, but instead of listening, I told you to go and narrate everything that happened in school to your father, and you gladly obliged. I don't know why of all the days, your teacher chose today, your birthday, to tell me that you are pretty indisciplined in school and many other things that do not sound pleasant to the ears of any parents. I was surprised, as never had I heard anything of this sort in your kindergarten. This meeting was enough to ruin my and your father's frame of mind. Suddenly our moods changed, and we could see that change spill on you as well. Celebrating your birthday seemed suddenly hard and futile. Then in the evening, I spoke to your subject teacher, who could not believe the word indiscipline being used for you and told me that she did not support what was said to me and I should not dampen the celebration spirit. More cross-checking gave us a profound relief that whatever was told wasn't wholly accurate. Then what? We regretted wasting four hours of your special day pondering on that issue and began the damage control.

We along with your favorite Navaljeet uncle, sprung into the celebration mood with double excitement and compensated for the loss of 4 hours by carrying the celebration to the next day with all the more zeal and enthusiasm.

The learning lesson from the above incident (the PTM on the following Saturday cleared a lot of things between your teacher and us):

• For you: My Son, you not scoring in exams, not being able to compete is absolutely okay, but indiscipline is not something we encourage, so remember discipline is necessary for you to succeed in everything that you do in your life. I know it may seem too early to say that to 6 years old, but good habits inculcated early on in life are meant to stay a habit rather than a compulsion.

• For Mumma-Papa: Do not take life and people so seriously. It isn't worth!