Treasures

  • On our bathroom wall just above the sink is a post it sticker on which is written, "Wake Mimmi up at 6 am"
  • Right next to it is another one on which an arrow is drawn pointing to the first post it and with the words,"Parth, don't touch this post it"
  • Though Meenal is pretty fastidious about cleanliness, these post its have been in place for several years now
  • That's because it was written at a time when my daughter Mrinmayee (Mimmi for short) had just learned writing
  • And though these post it stickers have faded and the writing barely visible, they remain in place tickling our hearts every time we brush our teeth
  • These and several such tokens of our children's childhood serve little doses of happiness into our lives
  • There's a small rag doll named Dora smeared with sketch pen marks of lipstick and kajal at the bottom of our wardrobe that has magical powers to drive away bad dreams and have served their purpose in Mrinmayee's infancy
  • Tiny hand prints and foot prints on the first day that Parth entered our home remind us of the day on a diary that Meenal has saved in her cupboard
  • Parth's first nails and wisp of hair are saved in two tiny zip lock bags
  • A pink cotton dress, four set of books, a small kitchen set,... all have stories to tell which are preserved as preciously as rubies and gems
  • If anyone says that we bring up children so that they can take care of us in our old age, then they have missed the bus
  • We have children because they make our lives more meaningful
  • And by God, I have enjoyed the childhood of my children and they have filled our lives with joy... and I want nothing in return except those precious bits of treasures on my bathroom wall!

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