To dear daughter on your 2^nd Birthday

                                                              Part 1

30 April 2015

My dearest dearest dear daughter Aamu,

By the time you read this you would have started school and been introduced to the alphabet. I wanted to defer writing this then, however there’s so much to share; that I simply could not hold myself back.

This April you will complete two summers. Wow! A fine young lady you will be!

Time flies. It seems like yesterday when you were wheeled in and handed over to me. I was trembling with excitement. Oh! How I longed to hold you; my little bundle of joy!  Yet I was scared. What if I dropped you?

You were so tiny. The attendant showed me how to swaddle you in a blanket with the folds neat and tight to keep you warm, how to place one hand below your head for support and how to pick you. Don’t tell your mom this – my first attempt came a cropper – I had the blanket in my arms and a naked baby on the bed! Oh! God that “my dad is so clumsy?” look you gave me!

Since then I have practiced hard in all departments of bringing up a daughter. I know I am not a super dad but have not done a shabby job either!

Picking you up the right way, singing your favorite lullabies (your mom tells me I am a horrible singer,) changing your diapers, and replying the nth time to your question: “Ma kothai? Where is Mom?” This is when you could see your mom standing next to you. I love doing it all.

Or when you come running and adsfdfoidfekngngeoq{}|\82093492….that’s you sitting on my laptop keys. Or asking me to play the dolphin video (remember the one in which dolphins do that crazy Zulu dance in the pool) ten times in a row – and each time watching it more curiously than before. And I had to pretend; I too; was enjoying the show!

Or when you would pick things up and throw them with gay abandon without an iota of care for your father’s hard earned money. Or when you would gleefully put your hand in the dustbin and rummage through the discards and on being scolded make such a piteous face and come running and wrap your arms ( the dirty ones of course) around my legs imploring me to pick you up. A moment’s delay would invite your wailing – as if I did not understand you and your crocodile tears!

I have chuckled with every chuckle of yours and cried every time you cried. Each time you call me Baba (father in Bangla) my entire being melts with an unspeakable joy. And my heart goes pitter patter!

Aamu, from you I have learnt the true meaning of unconditional love. You have taught me the ephemeral nature of being. To enjoy in the mundane! To be happy without a reason! If someone were to ask me the single greatest thing you have taught me - it is this – childlike innocence and to see the world around with wonder!

You are curious. You ask a lot of questions. You love to experiment. The rising sun is your friend. The prancing of the squirrel from one bough to another spreads a smile on your lips. You laugh (oh that spirited uninhibited laugh of yours) when you are happy and cry when you are sad. You dance without a care in the world and find it difficult to hold yourself back from splash splashing in the rain.

You have taught these and much more. I feel blessed being a dad and more so in having you as my daughter.

On your birthday Aamu; I wish you all a dad can wish for his daughter – health, happiness and good cheer!

Happy birthday little one - live a blessed and divine life.

Grow up Strong! Grow up Great!

With lots and lots of love, hugs and kisses!

Yours Baba