12 July 2017

Letter to My First Born

 Dear Tanvi

This is the second time I am writing to you. I had written to you, once earlier, about how I had met your father. 

I had also expressed, in a post not addressed to you, what I had felt, for the longest time, with respect to having a second child. The only reason I could think of, back then, to go for a second child was to be able to give you a sibling, for companionship. 

But all three of us, Sathya, you and I, were not in favor of a second one, particularly YOU. You always said, very categorically, that you didn’t want any sister or brother. You commanded both of us to love you and only you. You insisted that you alone were enough for us. You were firm in your opinion that you had enough friends to play with and I needn’t worry about companionship issues. You knew you didn't want to be bothered with helping clean a new "dirty" baby. This was how you felt as recently as the beginning of this year.

Your reactions had vindicated us somehow. See, she doesn’t want, then why should we? She is enough for us. So, for ten long years, I was on IUCD because none of us wanted a new member in the family, 

And now, when you are 11 years old, we learnt that you are going to be a big sister! Next year!
 You have always had friends of all age groups – Surya and Siddharth the brothers are just 4 and 6 years old, Sonith is 5 years old. I have seen you playing with even smaller kids in the park. But the two weeks of summer vacations spent in your grandfather’s apartment complex – meeting and playing with Vedanth has stirred something in you. You have spent hours playing with little Vedanth, who runs to you and roars with laughter. You actually told me, when you heard from me the 'shocking news' that I was carrying, "Amma, keep the baby. I don’t care if it is a boy or a girl or a transgender" (wait, where did you learn that word!!!). From a child who was very adamant about not wanting a sibling to now this seemingly grown up, mature girl who is very clear about keeping the baby - THAT is the change that prompted us to realize that this baby is a welcome addition. What has changed is now YOU WANT a sibling.

And I am feeling more convinced, as each day passes, that this awkward gap of almost twelve years between your sibling and you is actually a blessing. (Someone remarked, hearing about my ‘accidental’ pregnancy, “Jisko Aana Hota Hai Woh Aake Hi Rahega” - One who has to come, will come, no matter what). If I had had the second child earlier and by all probability I would have had if I hadn’t been on IUCD for so long, I would have had to take care of two young children. And that would have driven me nuts. Now that you are on your own, independent and strong, I can concentrate on the new baby. Your strong desire to have the baby has pushed me to cherish this unexpected pregnancy.

The reason to go for a second child this late in life (at 40) is because I can see you taking care of another life. And I want to see it. I want to lie down and look at my two children, cuddling and playing with each other. I can see myself as a mother hen as I write this. I can also relive all the moments with you and take you through your own development, with this baby. Taking care of an expectant mother and a new born – you are about to shoulder a huge responsibility, my dear. I hope and pray, quite selfishly so, you are going to be the mother I missed during my first pregnancy/delivery. You are going to be my source of strength and motivation that I lacked earlier. Last time, I remember constantly consoling myself with the lines of the famous Hindi song that went “Jiska Koi Nai Uska Toh Khuda Hai Yaaro” (God is with the person who has no one else). I was alone and God was with me then. This time, he has said he is busy handling more critical cases and has left me in your care. You are God’s own assistant to me.

Love you, 
Amma

26 comments:

  1. Wow! Wishing the three of you a great time welcoming and bringing up the new member in the family.

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  2. Congratulations. My prayers for a safe delivery. That baby is sure lucky. He/She will have two loving mothers.

    When is the baby due? Thanks.

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    1. Thank you :)

      In February. Doctor will give the expected date next month.

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  3. Oh... Congrats to both of you. . . Your expression of ideas is great... You must publish books Sujatha!
    You know Little bits are little boys, little girls are little mothers! Tanvi will prove it!
    Our second baby is also accidental. My son (aqua) said a different thing when we repeatedly asked 'whether you want tamma or tangible?' 'I want none. I want Anna or Akka!!!' How could we go back and bring an elder baby?
    But when it has happened my son is so happy about his little sister. Of course with seven years gap! Still we are through our most blessed years of life. You had asked on the day my son was born, how did I feel. I had not felt that great. But when this girl is born, I address her as 'new bundle of joy'
    May you enjoy the same... May Tanvi do the twin jobs of a little mother and a grown up daughter (she is a Gemini and should handle them easily!)
    All the best!

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  4. Haha ... he wanted akka or anna..haha

    I hope so...hope tanvi can double up as both :)

    Thanks a lot Naveen for your wishes

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    1. girls are little mothers. They want to care for the younger ones.
      Take a good care of yourself. All the best!

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  5. Congratulationsssssssssssss ... all the best

    the little one has grown up .. i still remember seeing her when she was so small .. Time flies...

    Bikram's

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  6. Wow! Congratulations....Beautiful letter...Good luck to you :)

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  7. congrats
    beautifully penned

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  8. What has changed is now YOU WANT a sibling....... it makes things easy when the elder one is ready for the younger one.
    Good letter.

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  9. Hey! Congrats...wishes to your family

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  10. Hey, congratulations!
    Such a loving letter, right from the heart.

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  11. Thanks for sharing. I hope it will be helpful for too many people that are searching for this topic. Keep posting and keep this forum a great place to learn things.

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