Monday, December 17, 2012

Thanksgiving and India trip...

So we made a last minute trip for Thanksgiving to Delaware our hang out place. Time just flew. The best-est part was kids all playing together. From running behind them so they don’t topple and fall or fight from previous trips, this trip they played a lot, so much that they actually got exhausted and AL also had a mild fever by the time we got home for 2-3 days which is another topic in itself. We had a girls night out for dinner, parents also had a good change and relaxed weekend overall. This was the 4th time we met our friends to hang out like this for long weekend this year. Its wonderful and hoping the kids grow up to be good friends like parents. It was MILs birthday during thanksgiving and the actual date when she left us last month. Time flies.  For P’s sake I am glad he was keeping busy ….
So AL fell sick and dropped a couple of pounds, like she has any to lose ;)? Well she generally stops eating when she is unwell and we are getting used to it now although we don’t encourage it obviously. These two have caught all the possible bugs and fevers they could possibly do.  J
Took a day off to do daycare hunting – 5 daycares in a single day in Westford exhausting but worth it. Made up my mind and Review post to follow.
Our 3rd trip in 3 years to India for MIL’s first anniversary ceremony: P left early December (right after Thanksgiving) for 2 weeks I followed my trip was for 5 days spending only 3 days in India and 2 days traveling over-ambitious (so everyone told me and impractical)and nervous as we left kids home. Even after reaching India people thought I should not have come and was not ‘worth’ it. Either one of us has always been with kids barring last year in Hyderabad when I had to rush to Bangalore as MIL’s time neared during the 5 week trip. That was even worse as girls were sick down with some weird allergies and I don’t even want to talk about the tough time we went through physically, emotionally and logistically.  So made it though the long flight via Amsterdam and Mumbai! Attended the ceremonies both days and everything went fine and ok. Girls were doing ok, spoke to them and they spoke over the phone very nicely telling me about each other’s naughty behavior and that they missed me and bring ‘Nanna’ and ‘thatha’ back with me. I got to spend a few hours with my Grandmother and Aunts. Although not satisfied by just the couple of hours had to adjust. Shopped for some essentials and then had a mini reunion dinner at a friend’s. And before we knew we are back in Boston after Satyanarayan vratham. We slept through most part on both flights. Ate, slept that’s all I remember J
My family was really proud of my ability to do the impossible, leave my young girls behind for 4 days with parents and make it to the ceremonies. My aunt and grandmother appreciated it. I went there because I wanted to attend and be there as it was a final adieu to my MIL. There were lot of personal reasons why we couldn’t take the girls to India. Every parent makes a decision what they think is right for their children in given circumstances and so did we. It wasn’t easy but took a chance and decided to leave kids with parents for 4-5 days. Hopefully the last time we ever have to do this. I was very upset and spent sleepless night before my journey and also while actually in India although I didn’t tell anyone. Of course this is yet again an example for the girls that family sticks together no matter what; especially when it’s to do with some important ceremonies like these. I am not talking about myself and praising that such a good Daughter-in-law I am that I made it to India all the way for my Mother-in-Law’s ceremonies but it is about my mother who has shown immense love and care to her grand-daughters. So to me it’s more her affection and understanding as my mother to stick around with her daughter’s family and be there for me to be able to attend the ceremonies. Without my parents here I would not have been able to attend it.  So all the compliments showered by my aunts to me should actually be directed to my mother for selflessly being there for me over and over again and proving to us all what true unconditional mother’s love is about. When some things are done merely as a duty it lacks luster as opposed to out of pure love and affection.