Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Why fret?

This evening there was this young lady of our residential area who'd dropped by for advice and directions to conduct classes in painting and cooking. She's a talented individual with a double graduation, one of them being that of the Fine Arts. And she'd come knocking at my door to remove her apprehensions and have a clear idea as to was expected of her as per the by-laws, laid down by the residential committee.

She was accompanied by her three children - a boy(5 yrs), two girls aged 3 yrs and 10 months, respectively. The two kids had instantly made our house active and noisy with their playing around, punctuated with frequent fights and the object of their 'possessive battles' was my rocking chair. I was apprehensive that the chair would careen and topple over hurting them in the bargain as the kids tried to rock it harshly, to dislodge the one who was perched on it. Finally, I was able to bring the two kids under a sort of truce by letting each one of them to rock alternatively, for a specific time period!

The young lady was told about the existing regulations and in the course of our conversation, I'd expressed my admiration for her ability and the patience in bringing up the three children. It was in response to this statement of mine that she talked of a 'fourth kid' at her home - her mother, stricken by the Parkinson's Syndrome at a comparatively young age of 57 yrs!

She should have an unlimited source of energy and patience to take on such a situation 24x7, I thought privately and what was commendable was that she wanted to take classes in cooking/painting over and above her tight schedule. Silently, I saluted her for her positive outlook and the obvious bundle of energy that she was!

And as she was leaving, I wonder why she said this and I quote, "It was my husband who'd insisted on a two year gap between each child", in a barely audible voice. Probably, she was apologising in her own cute way for the ruckus caused by her children, poor thing! And as if on cue, the baby in her arms, had begun to cry. I was nonplussed, wondering as to what appropriate response could be provided to reduce her agony and soon heard my voice, "Don't worry, they'll grow up in no time and will be raring to help you out in your work"!


Tailpiece - A dad's angst!

My school mate and friend had called up after what seemed to be a long time. I was his 'House Captain' at school long ago and he considers me as one of his mentors(?). Today, he was lamenting as to how his daughter - super specialising in Law abroad - had lost her laptop that contained her painfully crafted dissertation, which was to be presented shortly. Knowing the young lady, I'm sure she'd overcome the setback and come out with flying colours.

I listened to his tale not having the foggiest as to how I could lend him a helping hand, in the circumstances!       

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