They tiptoe into your lives with their tiny, helpless bodies and change your lives forever. Becoming a parent is among the most joyful experiences of one’s life. It is a miracle. It is as if you have created life itself when you see that perfectly shaped wiggling replica of yours placed in your arms. This tiny one has you wrapped around his little finger from the moment he is born. Your smallest and biggest decisions in life are now dictated by him. When you eat, sleep, work, travel, play and sometimes even talk is never the same again.
I used to wonder how does one bond with this new addition in your life? Does this bonding happen before the birth or from the moment they are placed in your arms? As I discovered, this love grows immensely every moment. Some days, it breaches all boundaries and spills out from your eyes and your heart. I know; I experience these moments so many times and for no specific reason. Sometimes, when their eyes crinkle when they look at you or the trusting manner in which they offer their hand to you and then scamper merrily along chattering incessantly. The way in which they shyly tell you their deepest angst or the moment when they hold your hand and hug you wanting to take your pain away. Ah, those moments in the lattice of memories are priceless.
You want to protect them with all your strength. You hope that they will thrive and grow into precious adults, those who will make the world proud. You want them to fulfill all their aspirations, to reach out to whatever galaxies they want to conquer. You want to be their anchors, the catalyst that spurs them on. You want to be that friend, philosopher and guide always watching over them while they spread their wings and fly.
But then, everything in life does not transpire as per your wishes. Nature may have other plans. When I was watching the advertisement above, I was reminded of a friend who is also a Doctor. The struggles I saw her face with her autistic child yet never a complaint escaped her mouth. She had a hard time sending her to school and looking after her with her own career. To tell you the truth, I felt a little ashamed of myself, as I cribbed about my toddler son to her. I remember he used to be a fussy eater back then. While here she was still feeding her much older autistic daughter and doing everything for her.
How did she find the strength? I guess we have to lift our spirits and find that strength within us to take our children through their trials by fire. #KhudKoKarBuland campaign speaks of the same. Secure your life to enable yourself and your children to follow their dreams. Raise yourself to face just about any challenge that life may throw at you. Also, stop judging other parents. Who knows what challenge they are living daily?
Life will find you alternate paths if you have the courage and strength to carve them.
Rachna says 
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