Then and Now..

This is us. Every weekend, neeraj and I seem to talk about the life before we had kids. Before we had two kids. Now we think, even one child was so much easier to manage.
Make me wonder. I don't remember my parents ever saying this. It is likely that they did, and I was too young to remember or understand. But the expectations were different. We did not go out every weekend (or thursday for us). We went out sometimes and that more more frequent than most of my friends.

Going out as a family, every week was unheard of. So what has changed? Neeraj said, we are more exhausted. My dad had one day off and worked from 7:15 am - 8 pm. On a good day. Many a times, he came home after nine or even ten. I am sure my mom got bored. But, it was just how things were. With most of us, middle class working people.

Similarly, I was talking one of my close friend. Her husband is away for three weeks and she works full time as well. With a 4 year old and a 1 year old. She and I were discussing, how once her husband gets back, she deserves a shopping spree or time off to compensate for all the days that her husband was away. And since Neeraj will be away for 4 days later this month, I chimed in, that I will join you, for my time off in advance.

Her mom and my mom were "house wives". So she and I have very similar background. I don't remember our moms saying, now its our turn. I don't think women in those days ever said, I deserve some time off because I do all the housework and cook and clean and feed the kids.

Its not to criticize anyone or any generation. Just an observation of how things are starkly different now..

Geriatric Immunity

Age is such a wonderful thing.. Even when it is ticking away in the direction you don't want it to. 1s become 2s and 2s become 3s, and denial starts. And yet, it is a wonderful thing.

As you get older, you can do things you could not as a younger person. I mean things like, look at a really good looking boy and then tell whoever is with you, how handsome he is. You can get away with it..

As your age progresses, you can even ogle at him and not bother about looking weird. You have that mommy look all over your face anyways. And then you hit that age where you can say whatever you want, do whatever you like.. and yet, you have the excuse of being "cute" bordering on senility.. :)

Education Vs Experience

Case 1: You learn some things in school and then don't use it.

Case 2: You learn the same (or similar things) at work after having learnt to use it..

Is it okay to discount either?

I had written a one-liner .. "when is the right time to remove training wheels, 3,10,18,30,60.. never?"

Sometime, you don't get a choice. Sometime the training wheels are taking out when you are the least bit aware. Sometimes, you cling to it for the rest of your lives. Even when the wheels have long gone, or are of no use anyways.

My three year old wants mommy to do everything for her. Only mommy, no one else is allowed to bathe her, give her milk, take her to the potty. Frankly, I enjoy the attention, because I know, when she is 13, mommy is NOT going to be her hero, mommy is someone you ignore, someone who is just so uncool. I know, because I felt that once upon a time. I think that is when your stop using your training wheels. They are there, just that you don't use them any more..

And again when you are older, you start to tilt sideways and rely on those wheels to support you once again...until a point, when you suddenly become training wheels yourself...

Circle of (my favorite four letter word these days)..LIFE..

Life ..strange, how almost every time I try to write a post, it starts with this four letter word!

I try to be witty/funny/interesting/controversial.. but no. I land up pouring out my feelings on this media, where some of the people I am closest to, stop by to read what I can't otherwise tell them.

The circle of life is such deep and poignant thing, and yet if you look at it, its life and death and life and death.. interspersed with different combinations. But essentially, life and death. And yet, we go on with our life with the same fervor every single day. You know that there is only one eventual end which brings together everyone.. the rich, the poor, the big, the small, the smart, the educated, the beautiful, the ..everyone.

Most of us live a life where eventually it does not matter what happens to us. And yet, that does not stop me from indulging in the icecream/brownie/cookie/kaanda bhaji, knowing very well, that it will probably bring me closer the the eventual end.
The temptation for food/clothes/jewels/money is what keeps life interesting.. and yet, we know that, in the end it does not matter..

Yet, the only eventual truth is the only thing we deny ..day in and day out..