To my dearest newly minted 10 year old S,
From a quiet and peaceful baby to a much louder "2 digit" year old, you have come a long way. I think back to when you were young, and how nearly every behaviour and milestone came as a surprise to me, even though you were my 2nd one. I didn't know until then that the same sets of genes can combine to create 2 very different individuals :).
You refused to start walking for quite a while after you turned one, and I was also pretty laid back about it as you were such a happy and healthy baby in general. And just when we were getting a wee bit worried, your doctor advised waiting until you were 1.5 to do any further tests, you decided to walk nearly exactly at 1 year and 6 months. It was almost as though you were waiting for my birthday to present me with those first steps ;).
From the time you started talking, or probably even earlier, you figured out how to charm everyone around you. You are still considered a "quiet and calm" child, especially by your teachers, but I know that you do have a voice and quite a lot of opinions that make their presence felt, especially at home ;). When you were first starting school, I even used to worry if you could hold your own, but I soon found that you were more than capable of finding your own way. We had a party for your 10th birthday and I was so thrilled to see the wealth of friendship that you have developed in your 2+ years at school here.
You have always been fond of hugs, and these also work very well as a calming mechanism for when you need to get out of trouble ;). I keep reminding you that even when you are a "big boy" and would possibly be embarrassed by my hugs, I would still continue with them. I am happy to note that as of today, nothing much has changed, and you still like to be squished up in a "chutney" hug from time to time :).
You are passionate about running, and have been showing so much commitment towards your after-school athletics class. You insist on attending it even if I sometimes feel that you might be tired after some other activity, and I am in awe of your enthusiasm and energy. Even your teachers at school have noticed your drive and started picking you for participating in events.
With an avid reader for a sibling, you didn't have a choice but to be one. I am glad though, that you are not forced into it, but instead choose it yourself as one of the activities for your free time. The library system in Singapore has been great for this, as it gives you access to such a range of books for your age group.
You also have a lot of other varied interests, from Pokemon to Beyblades to Rick Riordan, but I especially love the fact that you also like to hear about how things are made in the kitchen. I am guilty of not letting you try your hand at much yet, other than making the occasional dosai or roti, but I hope to change this soon.
Here's to you my darling boy, may you always retain your enthusiasm and curiosity and wonder.
Lots of love,
Amma
From a quiet and peaceful baby to a much louder "2 digit" year old, you have come a long way. I think back to when you were young, and how nearly every behaviour and milestone came as a surprise to me, even though you were my 2nd one. I didn't know until then that the same sets of genes can combine to create 2 very different individuals :).
You refused to start walking for quite a while after you turned one, and I was also pretty laid back about it as you were such a happy and healthy baby in general. And just when we were getting a wee bit worried, your doctor advised waiting until you were 1.5 to do any further tests, you decided to walk nearly exactly at 1 year and 6 months. It was almost as though you were waiting for my birthday to present me with those first steps ;).
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| Not walking yet, but figured out a way to explore the kitchen ;) |
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| May you keep conquering new heights |
You are passionate about running, and have been showing so much commitment towards your after-school athletics class. You insist on attending it even if I sometimes feel that you might be tired after some other activity, and I am in awe of your enthusiasm and energy. Even your teachers at school have noticed your drive and started picking you for participating in events.
With an avid reader for a sibling, you didn't have a choice but to be one. I am glad though, that you are not forced into it, but instead choose it yourself as one of the activities for your free time. The library system in Singapore has been great for this, as it gives you access to such a range of books for your age group.
You also have a lot of other varied interests, from Pokemon to Beyblades to Rick Riordan, but I especially love the fact that you also like to hear about how things are made in the kitchen. I am guilty of not letting you try your hand at much yet, other than making the occasional dosai or roti, but I hope to change this soon.
Here's to you my darling boy, may you always retain your enthusiasm and curiosity and wonder.
Lots of love,
Amma
Many happy returns of the day to the little young man. They do grow up too fast. What you said about siblings being so very different is only too true. You can never measure one against the milestones of the other.
ReplyDeleteI have a tear in my eye, I think. Or maybe it's dust. But I LOVE this post. So much warmth, such love and such absolute beauty in this piece that you're seriously making me want to rush over and give that beautiful boy a hug right now. Dear S, may you always be happy, never lose your spark and may this be the beginning of a wonderful new decade of your life.
ReplyDeleteApu, stop writing posts that make me teary-eyed!
God bless him! It is so nice to know about his running and avid reading.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to shehan... lovely to know your kids are also rick riordon fans... my 9 year old e has churned the Greek mythology and now completed Harry Potter.. and is still obsessed by that. Many happy returns and hope the reading magic continues
ReplyDeleteO Apu kutty! such a beautifully written piece. The tears gathered even as i was reading it. I remember when in landed in Bangalore in 2010, i stayed with Chandra Ma and BCB Athimber from July to September. And Shehan was what? 2 years old then :) An absolutely delightful almost Buddha like 2 year old. i used to feed him lunch prepared by Chandra. and he never ever complained that a newcomer was feeding him instead of his patti. one day, while i was aanjifying curry leaves, Shehan asked for a few twigs of curry leaves and he proceeded to remove the leaves the way we taught him to. as you said- in his calm, unhurried manner:))) lovely boy Apu.
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