Nearer the end, greater the anxiety and grief. Of course, 2006 has been an year of changes and a great learning experience. I take great pleasure in sharing my triumphs and travails, in the year, which probably is/was the most exciting and challenging in my life.
The year started off with great excitement in the air. I was engaged to Mona, with the marriage fixed in the month of February. I had been resisting marriage for some time, and hence was not very sure about the outcome of the ritual about to happen. Interaction with Mona after the engagement was largely positive. A chain of events, some unsavoury, between engagement and marriage, made this event more interesting that normal. Those events did strengthen our resolve to see this through.
Marriage took place in Poonamallee, near Chennai. It turned out to be a gala event - exactly the way my father-in-law wanted it to be. I guess at least a couple of thousand visitors were present for marriage and reception. An occasion that my FIL will be remember for a long time, because it was an achievement for him, in more ways than one.
After marriage, in my eagerness to lose bachelorhood, I dove right into the conjugal institution in search of bliss........ and, ahoy,...came out of it with a baby boy, in exactly 9 months. Some friends claim it is a record of sorts. Anyway, I am happy that I've accomplished my first task ;). I happened so fast that I had great doubts whether I had rushed in. I had no plans for the kid. When Shashwath did arrive, I was so consumed that I didn't care about the lack of planning.
It has been only two months, but the effect Shashwath has had on our family is absolutely astounding. For some reason, his grand-parents' smiles seem to linger a little longer, they seem to be much more patient. I get a feeling that I get more respect after his arrival, although the same cannot be said about attention. Every act of his - even something as simple as a smile while he is sleep - brings about such happiness, enthusiasm and energy. My mom and MIL who were limping due to their ageing legs, are running around like little girls. He breaks my dad's and FIL 's "mannish" masks and puts on "Childish" on instead. Of course, when they leave him, they put back their original masks. Now, he is the teacher of our family and all of us are more than happy to follow.
Now-a-days, I consciously try to play to my strengths. Have set some goals for myself - like pursuing my career with renewed focus, becoming a Ph.d scholar in Psychology, spending some time on volunteering, and most importantly, keeping my family's interests in mind prior to any action.
Last but not the least, I pray for forgiveness if I have offended anybody, and wish best of luck.
Now, bring out the champagne.....After all, this is supposed to be a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
The year started off with great excitement in the air. I was engaged to Mona, with the marriage fixed in the month of February. I had been resisting marriage for some time, and hence was not very sure about the outcome of the ritual about to happen. Interaction with Mona after the engagement was largely positive. A chain of events, some unsavoury, between engagement and marriage, made this event more interesting that normal. Those events did strengthen our resolve to see this through.
Marriage took place in Poonamallee, near Chennai. It turned out to be a gala event - exactly the way my father-in-law wanted it to be. I guess at least a couple of thousand visitors were present for marriage and reception. An occasion that my FIL will be remember for a long time, because it was an achievement for him, in more ways than one.
After marriage, in my eagerness to lose bachelorhood, I dove right into the conjugal institution in search of bliss........ and, ahoy,...came out of it with a baby boy, in exactly 9 months. Some friends claim it is a record of sorts. Anyway, I am happy that I've accomplished my first task ;). I happened so fast that I had great doubts whether I had rushed in. I had no plans for the kid. When Shashwath did arrive, I was so consumed that I didn't care about the lack of planning.
It has been only two months, but the effect Shashwath has had on our family is absolutely astounding. For some reason, his grand-parents' smiles seem to linger a little longer, they seem to be much more patient. I get a feeling that I get more respect after his arrival, although the same cannot be said about attention. Every act of his - even something as simple as a smile while he is sleep - brings about such happiness, enthusiasm and energy. My mom and MIL who were limping due to their ageing legs, are running around like little girls. He breaks my dad's and FIL 's "mannish" masks and puts on "Childish" on instead. Of course, when they leave him, they put back their original masks. Now, he is the teacher of our family and all of us are more than happy to follow.
Now-a-days, I consciously try to play to my strengths. Have set some goals for myself - like pursuing my career with renewed focus, becoming a Ph.d scholar in Psychology, spending some time on volunteering, and most importantly, keeping my family's interests in mind prior to any action.
Last but not the least, I pray for forgiveness if I have offended anybody, and wish best of luck.
Now, bring out the champagne.....After all, this is supposed to be a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
