Pillars Of Strength

As 9:00 pm invited us to the bedtime routine, Neel (33 months) and I cuddled together in our rocking chair for a story. The pick of the day was a story about a hunter and four animal friends from renowned Panchatantra. As I was wrapping up, Neel pointed to the hunter and posed one of his favorite questions, ‘Amma, Where is his (hunter’s) mommy?  Since the book illustrated a grey haired hunter, as quick as a whip I responded, ‘The hunter lives all by himself and not with his mommy and daddy’.

At that Neel’s excitement snuffed. He clutched me and whimpered ‘Mommy, please don’t (ever) leave me’. I snuggled and assured him that I’ll always be there for him.

That night as I pondered the incident, I wouldn't help marveling at the profundity of parental love. Though love comes from varied sources, there is an amazing strength and reassurance to a parent‘s love that helps us surmount the swirling waters that surfaces now and then in our lives. The security and warmth of that love is boundless.

My parent’s love has always been my strong pillar. I hope Neel too will consider me and his dad as his pillars of strength from formative to adulthood years of his life. While I can only forecast my relationship with my son, as a daughter I feel immensely blessed for having one incredible set of parents. Thanks Daddy and Mummy for always being there for me :-)!