A year that was 2012

I should have posted this article a day or two before the last day of the year 2012.

But there is a lot of difference between the "coulds" and "shoulds" and before one realizes, the time is already gone. The same thing happened with me. Before I could realize that I had become a mother, my baby was already 8 months old and getting independent day by day. On a personal front, this year was the most blessed one. God finally gave his blessings in the guise of my sweet little bundle of joy and made me the happiest person on this earth. I learnt to take care of the baby on my own much later and realized it is not easy to become a mother. There is a lot of responsibility involved; you are shaping an individual with your actions. You have to be extremely cautious while dealing with these kids as they learn by imitating you. You have to inculcate good values in them and for that you have to be near-perfect. The kids will follow you and then become just like you. This year has been one of tests, on personal front and also professionally.

The thought of devoting 2 years did pass my mind, where I would be entirely dependent on my husband for all my and my baby’s needs. One mind said that it is a golden opportunity, once in a life-time, I should seize it. You will be able to spend all your time with the baby at home. Other mind said, you are not meant for sitting at home. You are not the home-maker type! Get up and going!! I listened to the other mind and made up my mind to resume work again. I felt bad in the first week, but then I was doing it for my and my baby’s good. Managing the dual responsibility of a working woman and a mom was a good challenge and I am looking forward to many more such merry moments in my life, which I am sure will make me strong as a person.

This year, I was mostly confined to my home, but the first trip I made after becoming a mommy was to Germany and then to Mumbai and Pune with my baby. The travel with a baby makes it very different. You are almost all the time preoccupied with the thoughts of baby stuff and his sleep and eating timings. You lose out on your personal life and time completely, which to some extent is fine. But then you can’t lose your individuality, you shouldn’t rather. After the baby is settled and a little grown up, you should come back on track. This year, I plan to concentrate, rather re-concentrate on my health and my hobbies, which is writing, reading. I will have much more to write on now that my little one is learning to stand and walk on his own and slowly will have his own will and choices.

This year saw a lot of scams, deaths, and political craziness in the outside world. But somehow, I was oblivious to everything which was happening outside the four walls of my house. I hadn’t seen the newspaper for almost 7-8 months, hadn’t watched a serial or movie. There was a 24/7 channel live in my house, what was the need for anything else. As an individual I became a better planner and a better executer. I forgot to shop for myself and all the time it was just my baby’s shopping, which was on my mind. How time changes your priorities, isn’t it?

My day and world now starts and ends with my baby’s smile and laughter and chuckles.

Thank you all my friends and near and dear ones who blessed me and helped me to overcome the initial hiccups with the baby.

My family, my parents (both sides) and my dear, übercool husband – Thanks for being there always like solid rocks in my life. I am no one without you all!