Witty Serendipity

One of my favourite parts of the day is waking up a few minutes before my baby does, and waiting for her to open her eyes. She looks at me, and rolls, sometimes crawls, towards me - sometimes with a sleepy smile, sometimes with a demanding grim expression on her peanut face - to be held close and kissed good morning. We cuddle for 5 minutes before she finally sees the dog, and remembers the very important lick she must give Muffin. After falling all over Muffin trying to hug her, she then turns to my left, and in her loud imperious voice, shouts "Da-daaaa", while shaking G awake. Of course, the shaking is pointless, because this man who has wanted multiples of "just 5 minutes more" every morning for the last ten years , is now wide awake the very first time his daughter calls out to him. Though, to be fair, the insistent, loud voice, with a tone of such ownership does demand instant attention. But those five minutes of holding her are just... sigh. What makes

[Repost from Facebook; original post dated May 3rd, 2017] Kindle in hand, reading Anuja Chauhan's latest , munching on tapioca chips, sipping chilled mint and lemon flavoured water, in a cool room, while my baby and one of the dogs take a nap next to me; and if I raise my head, I see a large-ish balcony full of tall palms - and I suddenly realise how very glad and thankful I am for having what I have. For having worked hard and well to earn the comfort of now, and knowing that I deserve the break. For having had the crazy stroke of luck (from someone who doesn't believe in fate), to have found Anaaira, and brought her home. And, for having a family like I do, all of whom - in Meerut, London, Boston, Doha, Aurangabad, and Delhi - are waiting even as I type this, for a 'plink' on their WhatsApp with more photos and videos of the imp who's filled our various homes and hearts. And, all of this, and so much more, reminds me of this song .