For You Dhruva

On your birthday Kanna, here's some reminiscences of the years gone by

Your very first year

A couple of lovely, candid moments with Diksha, all the more cherished for being from before advent of the digital camera 

 

With nanna in a very boys will be boys kind of picture,  on a trip to the gangan chukki banganchukki water falls 

An intimate moment with ammamma

Enjoying the train with thatha......his love for trains runs so deep, he'd take you to the station for regular walks to just sit and watch trains go by

With Amit, and avva who looks like she's telling some full action story

And with akkayaammamma (my ammamma) who again told you lots of stories, and i recall the jaambhavanthudu one was your favorite and you'd make her tell you again and again

With Kanthamma, who looked after you all those times i was at work, with so much love and care. She still calls you every birthday (she just had her grandson message me)

This is either Australia or Mangalore....I thought Australia, until i saw the jugs behind, Diksha still thinks it's Australia  :)

                      

As always, kiwi trying to do everything you both did, including read :) 

                           

It was this speech that Republic Day that was the deciding factor in getting you to head boy of the school I think. I remember one line when you said what you want of teachers is that 'they be kind'. A much cherished attribute anywhere kanna.

                             

With kiwi ...some serious and deep communion going on there :)

                    

At Jangareddigudem, at my favoritest spot in the world (also pedha thatha's samadhi)....back then it was still polams (fields) all around . Diksha, Sunita, Evy and You.

                                          

Your gang at Jangareddigudem, Sunita, Diksha, Jyoti, Prashanthi and you

                                     

Looking at this picture reminded me of what you said with wisdom beyond your years. "amma, you can have either goats or a vegetable garden here, you can't do both amma, they eat everything". And we chose goats :)

Remember the geese we took all the way from Hyd by car, and this pond in which not just they, but you, learnt how to swim

Some more rustic fun at jrg

Bonfire time in jangareddigudem again....and fancy picture that :)

At Niagara with ammamma and thatha

Thatha, ammamma, you, Mala aunty, Praveen mama and Diksha, on that wonderful trip to the US that you did without nanna or me :)

Kiwis bday was always special day

Your first time in a suit I think...with Mumu bhabhai and Deech

The number of sankranthi's we've spent on the terrace, kite flying.....thanks to nanna for making sure each of us learnt how to fly kites, it was loads of fun and carries some beautiful memories, especially the night flying with lamps we did each year

A picture which never fails to bring a smile. Both of you spent hours on getting the X box going

At the X box (or was it ps2 ) with friends, Rudhveer, Ravikanth and Vandit

Always lovely to see that board with your name as first headboy of DPS, a picture I insisted on taking when we visited school many a years later

                          

In your Jesus avatar, as diksha and I like to call it

And now. 

It's been a wonderful journey since the moment I held you in my arms all of twenty three years ago......a sweet and animated child, always the favorite, be it with teachers at school or maids at home. And now, so grown up, I love how each time we meet I wonder at how much you've changed. The first child bonding is special ....and I also see and respect, and love the strength you bring, the comfort and ease with which you share, the quiet confidence with which you will ask for the space you need, the silences as also the indepth intense conversations....and depth and maturity with which you see things..... at times way seems more mature than even me, and I'm left gaping...half in surprise and half with pride. God bless ma.

Had to get a mushy last pic in :)

                                    

Have a wonderful birthday Dhruva. I know it's hard work times, but guess that can also be part of the wonder and joy of life.