Parents...

This post was long due. But before I proceed, wish to share with you that we have been blessed with a Cute Son-shine and we havent named him Meghnaad. Hub-e hasnt forgiven me still but I am sure that Agneya will make him understand.

There comes a time when your life takes a complete circle. Today, when I have become a parent myself, I can truly appreciate mine. Honestly, being an only kid, my parents indulged me alot and I am not talking about money or material pleasures only.I dont remember even once when I had to enter the kitchen or buy groceries from outside or do any kind of household work. In fact, even today, when my parents visit us, my dad makes it a point to iron my clothes and mom won't let me enter the kitchen. 

My parents were born and brought up in Kerala, in middle class families, having 5 to 6 siblings each. Money wasn't easy and neither were the facilities. They had to slog through, taking care of their younger siblings, doing household chores, taking tuition classes and so on. In fact, my mother tells me that she started doing household work when she was the age of 7 and till now, she hasnt had any rest. 

To earn a livelihood and to support their families, both of them left their birthland and came to Delhi in search of more opportunities. And once they stabilised, they brought their other siblings along, for a better life for everyone. Theirs was an arranged match and they started their life together in 1979.

Starting from a very modest one room flat, where-in they had to share the toilet/ bathroom and where their siblings also stayed with them, one after the other, today, I am truly proud of what they have achieved. They have their own house in a reasonably good locality in Delhi and have all the facilities that money can buy. 

But more importantly, they have raised me to be a very responsible individual. I have seen how they have struggled to satisfy my demands and wishes. How every year, they would celebrate my birthday with great gusto and leave no stone unturned, even if it meant not taking the bus/auto and walking instead. How they wanted to get promoted in office so that they could get more salary and with that buy better things for me. I am proud of them for doing their post graduation in their late 40's and achieving good results.

My mom still tells me how they couldnt manage to have a second child, since they wanted me to get the best. There are so many instances of their selflessness and going through rough weather so that I could always have a cosy umbrella on my head. When I look back, I have no regrets in life and I had the happiest childhood, with my 2 friends, who also happen to be my parents.

Today, when I see Dad running around to get things working for my new family and Mom doing office work as well as keeping awake the entire night with my son, I realise one thing, they are never going to stop being parents. They would always go out of their way for me and my dear ones. There is no retirement from this job of theirs.

I only wish I am half as good as them. And I know it in my heart, that I am always gonna be the Second Best in parenting.

Love You Mom and Dad!!!