Category: Birthday
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Birthday Musings
Ammu nuzzles my cheek with her nose, throws her arms around my neck, kisses me and flits off to do whatever it is she is occupied with at the moment. Today she is working on a school project. There are sticky notes all over the place. She painstakingly colors the first American flag and sketches…
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Birthday Sentiments
I finished the memoir by Kunal Nayyar and looked at the clock. 11:55 PM read the display. Hauling myself up, I managed to drift into sleep when the baby monitor crackled with Laddu’s cries. Wincing, I pushed myself out of the cozy warmth to get her when I remembered. Crooning “Happy Birthday…” under my breath,…
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Spice And All Things Nice
“Ooookay,” she says in a sing song voice and toddles upstairs to help her dad find his belt. Relieved for a moment’s respite from her at the stove, I turn my attention to fixing lunch and getting the twins ready for school. They leave and their daddy right after them. Laddu and I stand by…
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Anatomy Of a Birthday
“Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me!!” The sounds trickle up from the basement where the twins are humming along as they train their newly opened toys to repeat what they say. I look at Saathi who is sitting beside me agonizing over taxes and smile. We are behind a desk scattered with…
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Sassy, Smart and Sweet
I wearily trudge up the stairs, my knee joints groaning in pain. Annoyance is writ large on my face as I open the door to Ammu’s bedroom. Ammu and Pattu are lying together, arms encircling each other. Ammu is holding on to Pattu’s earlobe in a gesture that is strangely comforting. I split them up…
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Done, dusted and put away
I check my phone one last time before I call it a day. Washing up before bed, I stand in front of the mirror, the pendant snug against my throat, winking at me. I smile as I hum and wrap myself in fleece. The wishes have been pouring in over the phone, on Facebook, on…
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Gifts of Kindness
I rush back from my annual physical to be on time for our traditional Girls’ Night Out at our development. Over the past couple of years, it has become a tradition I cherish. It gives me a disconnect from home, from the constant physicality of raising a toddler. I tend to settle down, eat my…
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Cards, kisses and a whole lot of love
The house is quiet. The kids are in bed. Saathi is on the highway somewhere returning home from his first ever US Open visit. A few months ago, when he broached the subject of going to watch the Open with friends, I jumped at the idea. He was taken aback. I laughed as I told…
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One turn around the sun
You sit up next to me, your fingers prying my mouth open. I open one eye, not yet ready to wake. I feign sleep and turn around. I feel your chubby hands pulling my hair. Unable to resist your overtures, I push the covers away and sit up. You hold my shoulder and pull yourself…