Tag Archives: memories

by | July 7, 2017 · 7:56 am

BA

It is one of…nix that — it is my favorite word on the planet. Have you ever had one? Have you ever had a “Ba”? If not? You missing out!!! Ba means “dad’s mom” in so many ways. But when you are me…it also means the highest form of royalty. It means that person who loves unconditionally. It means that person who values honestly. It means unwavering commitment. Ba’s give the purest love.

Today we lost our “last” Ba. Early in the dat. She was magic. Not the magic I confer on my kids. Which is granted. But the magic I give to my … heroes. Which is just… earned. Every time I saw her she made me feel like I was a character straight out of Marvel or D.C. 🙂This Ba was worth every memory. I will cry myself to sleep for … a bit. But move on quickly. Because Ba would have wanted me to massage her head and love on. Move on. But know, Ba, I love you. And carry you forwards. It’s all my meager poor self can do.

#iamgrateful and #iamthankful for all those memories and that you made me think I had healing hands, while it was really your head and heart doing all that healing. Today is what it is. Your memory. Which is, all good hOmie! 😉#whogottaba

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by | June 30, 2017 · 2:09 am

HBD MUMMA

For most of my life you’ve been the most supportive, the most influential, the most reliable, the most active, the most concerned, the most comforting, the .. most there. Whether it’s when you saw that we needed to assimilate, so you became a Cub Scout Den Mother. Or you saw that I desperately wanted Lottos with the map of Philadelphia on them so this overweight and unpopular kid could have a few moments of middle school celebrity. Or when you convinced my teachers that if my grades wouldn’t get me into honors classes my potential should (8th grade English.) Or when you knew I needed an ATM card, so you got your own account, and gave me your own card, because those were the uphill battles we fought.

Or when I got an internship that didn’t pay, but was worth it, and so you gave up your car to me for a summer. Or when you used your TJ Maxx money to buy me a Karmaan Ghia because I loved that car more than I have loved any material thing before (and now, to this day). Or when you changed your way of thinking about the things I like to do (give, cook) and shifted your prayers in such a unique and special way to make sure those things were always possible for me. Or when you made Priya KC Bhatt feel so d*mned welcome that she can brag about her relationship with her mother-in-law (you’re tied for first place on that one with a woman Satinder Chadha who you’ve formed such a special bond with, the kind of bond you don’t hear about between in-laws). Or when you became one of the favorite people in the world to Anaiya.

Or when … there’s still so much more you’ll do for me — for all of us — from now until the day I die. Because of all you’ve already done, all you’ve taught us ( Anu KiranPriya KC Bhatt ) about how to carry ourselves and be (and mom, I try, I really do try.)

On this day, your HBD, #iamgrateful and #iamthankful for being your son. Tita and Priya are grateful to be your daughters. Anaiya and Jaan are grateful to be your grandchildren. There’s no greater forcefield in the world, real or fictional, than your maternal love. See you Saturday!

Note: I know you’ll get why I led with “the most of my life” reference. Because of all you’ve taught me about the importance of my time and commitment to my own new family. You’ve never been less than the most, but because of how open and amazing you are, you’ve made room at the top for some other mosts as well.

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by | June 19, 2017 · 7:32 am

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

I am lucky. I am blessed. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful and… we will soon have some new herbs. 🙂 So many great things this weekend. Family. Friends. And a 3 hour nap from 2-5 this afternoon. I don’t know what to do with myself. 🙂

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by | May 29, 2017 · 9:03 am

ONE

This is how you turned one. Rough night for you. Rough few days (week?) You woke up crying at 1045. I picked you for the long haul at 1115 after some pick ups and put downs. But you know? It’s all good. You’ve earned it. You have had such an understated year. You were born in the shadow of a job switch and your sister going to school. You were so quiet on our first vacation people wondered where you were.

You moved between nannies while smiling at each and every one. You waited to crawl until nobody was really watching probably because you didn’t want to be a distraction. You moved houses before you moved yourself. You’ve been teething for 8 months and just got a tooth. The sourest demeanor you ever have is cured by taking you outside so you can wave … to everyone. You take meds with a smile (like you take everything else.) You love your sister and let her make you smile like I never knew smiling was possible. You are a momma’s boy. Keep that, homie. It will get you far. Or at least, protect you forever. You have your grandfathers in you (and in your name), linked to them forever (and ever.) You take your time. The more we rush and hustle around you the more you naturally, instinctively, and subtly, humble our pace. You are everything this whole family needed. You are what your mom ordered but what I needed.

#iamgrateful and #iamthankful for this moment. Some rare QT. And I get to brag that you turned one in my arms. (Note: I put you back in your crib peacefully a second before posting this. You probably woke up and faked some tears so I could have this moment and story to tell.) HBD, Jaanu.

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by | May 1, 2017 · 5:18 am

MOMMA LOVE

This picture hides 1,000 words. And tears. Looking at it doesn’t do it an ounce of justice. After a great dinner for Jaan’s 11 month birthday (one he cried and slept through, kind of like what I do more and more with each passing year), the grandparents, my sis, and Priya and I gathered at home for chai before getting to bed. At some point the Mom’s got to talking about each other and there was not a dry eye in the room. So much love, appreciation and respect for each other. So much gratitude for how much love the other has for their acquired children. How natural our family ties are. So let’s do this. Of all the area I find myself to be blessed, it’s fair to say the way our parents get along…actually our families…is amazing.

And #iamthankful and #iamgrateful for the air cover I was born with and the air cover I’ve newly acquired. Ain’t no kinda aashirvaad like that powered by your Momma. We got it 2x. But even better, is how much they’ve got it for each other.

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by | January 13, 2017 · 9:43 am

A YEAR IN ONE DAY

I feel like … parenthood adds a 31st chapter to Einstein’s Dreams. It’s when you feel the full weight of a year passing in one single, powerful, gut checking, reality forcing, tear inducing, awe inspiring, mother effing moment. At 11:59:59pm on Wednesday you were 2. A raucous 2. An evolving 2. A personality developing 2. A very different 2 than the 2 you started at. But 2. You were our 2 year old daughter. And in a flash. It was January 12th. And all that you became while you were 2. Turned into 3. And I can’t believe it. You know what else I can’t believe? How incredibly fast time flies. And how many things you keep teaching me about myself. How much you keep teaching your mom and I about ourselves, and about each other. And how in less than 8 months you’ve demonstrated the kind of sister you’re going to be (awesome). And so many more things. But really, one more thing. We can’t believe that this kind of love is possible. #Iamgrateful and #Iamthankful for every stinking moment. You’re gracious, generous, genius, gregarious, and gorgeous. Happy Birthday, Magic. Stop bending time so quickly, please, Magic. My heart just can’t keep up.

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by | November 27, 2016 · 10:27 pm

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Gift from my folks and sis? Sleeping in until 945am. #Iamgrateful and #Iamthankful for year 6 in the books and many more to come. Love you Priya!!

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by | August 10, 2015 · 10:44 pm

TMLYFI… | “Never”

My magic. I’m inspired to share this moment with you. I promised myself that after year 1 I’d reduce what I posted out of fear of embarrassing you at some odd point down the line. Digital history from birth is still new to us, and is just becoming a point of debate. So I don’t want to do something you’ll regret.

But today, you made my life (let it be noted that on a daily basis, you tend to do this.) Yet, see, I haven’t seen you in three days. And my exposure has been limited. Partially because you are in Canada on an amazing trip with family. And partially because I am in NY working on work … that maybe I didn’t need to work so hard on.

Your extraordinary mom FaceTimed me this evening and what i saw when I accepted and the screen came to was you, head heavily rested on her shoulder, eyes, debating the world outside and the dreams inside. A hell of a debate, IMHO.

So I looked at you. I said your name. I kissed. I did everything in my power to get a response and you blinked, but nothing more. So I went to our ritual. The words I whisper to you every night since the day you were born. The words that showcase the ends of the earth I will run to for you. That close with the same word. Every single day for the past 18 months and 30 days.

That word? “Never”

And as I have done since you started acknowledging, I leave the last word for you to say. And you did.

With God (your mom) as my witness, you finished our exchange like you would had you have been on my shoulder right here in JC.

“Never.”

You said it. And I know,t hat you know, how much I know, that word means to me. The rest of the world will never know our exchange. But may the know now how it ends.

“Never.”

As in…when I will forget this moment. You are magical, my bbcc. A not so good day, turns into the greatest day ever.

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