Of beautiful Mondays
A few days back I would have thought that this was the worst Monday ever. The home was in a mess, several loads of laundry stayed piled in three baskets and the sink was full of dishes and neglect from the weekend. To make the matters worse- the housekeeper cancelled last-minute. I was stuck at a messy home with all the work lined up with an active toddler in tow! I do know that there any many, many out there who have gone through this, several times, who will understand my panic.
Normally, I would have put the toddler in front of the I-pad and bought myself at least an hour to do the basic needful. However, lately, I have been feeling horrible about the amount of screen time the toddler gets and decided to instead lure him with some toys. When I saw that he didn’t pay much attention, I decided to sit down and start the play momentum- just enough to get him started. Slowly and gradually, he slid towards me and sat down in my lap, amused.
Life runs at its own pace and in trying to keep up with the momentum, we often forget these little things that soon become memories. While he was sitting, I took a long look at the baby, as I still like to call him. He was growing so fast. The baby tummy that used to bulge out of his tiny onesies was now becoming more toddler-like. The little feet that had just learnt how to walk a few months back were now springing ahead in full-speed. In my race to catch up with life, I suddenly felt like I was missing so many such moments. Soon, this baby, who has been with me, day in and day out- 24 hours, would go to school. And once they start, they are never there at home like these last two years.
And suddenly, looking into the big, big eyes of my little boy, this became the nicest Monday ever. Over the next hour, we rolled on the floor, sang songs in a funny baby language and enjoyed this undiluted time. In the middle of the day and laughter, there was pin-drop silence and I could feel the brightness of the sun that seeps through the windows each morning. At that point of time, nothing else mattered- no dishes, no laundry, no I-pads. Nothing. The mind became blank and enjoyed and the heart recorded this heart-warming time spent.
We have often heard that they grow so fast, and each time it hits like a nail. Perhaps as a realization that these days of rolling on the ground are limited. That this little creature trying to roll over me, endless number of times when I am trying to sleep will soon be a distant memory. That the baby kisses that border on baby bites will soon run out. That these beautiful bright eyes will soon soak so much from life that they would never be blank like this time. These truly are the most beautiful days of our lives.
