Homecoming

Last week, I had to travel for office work to Paris for four-five days.

I travel internationally fairly often but given the challenges of managing on the homefront with two growing children and a husband who also travels, I try to limit long distance travel. I was travelling after seven months this time.

When I broke the news to my 8 year old daughter; she was in tears-she simply hated me going away. My elder son 18 years in age took the news more calmly. Over the weekend, I shopped for the provisions to make their life easier, I talked to my daughters friend and her mom to be extra caring towards my little one. I also tried convincing her(though without much success ) that it would be fun messaging each other and talking on phone and connecting on email which we hadn't done for sometime.

Finally, it was time to go. With tears in her eyes, my daughter gave me a snap of hers and asked me to see the snap everytime I remembered her. Both the children came down to see me off at the waiting cab. When the cab started, I was heartbroken to see her sobbing. On my way to the airport, I called her twice and promised to be back soon.

In Paris, between meetings, I regularly messaged my son and husband and called up the little one to reassure her that I would be back soon and life would be normal. One night, she messaged me to say that she had found a dress of mine and she was going to sleep with it that night, so that she would remember me.

Four days flew fast for me with back to back meetings which went on till late in the day. But the little one back home was counting every day. On Friday, as soon as the flight landed at mumbai, I called home to say I had reached and would be back home in an hour or two. When I reached home, sure enough my daughter was awake. Her eyes were smiling and she was relieved that I was back home with her. While the men of the house were happy I was back, the little one really made it special for me.

Half an hour later, she slept peacefully in my arms.

The homecoming reminded me of a time long ago; when I was a young girl of my daughters age. My mother would come home from office at six in the evening. Every day around that time, I would leave my friends and wait expectantly for her at the gate of the complex. Only when I had seen my mother's familiar figure, I would go back to playing with my friends. If she was delayed I would feel restless and tensed. My mother would try to convince me not to worry about her, but every day only after I saw my mother and knew that she had reached home safely was I able to really enjoy playing with my friends.

I realize how lucky I am to have a daughter; it is the women of the house who make homecoming special and memorable.

Knowing there is someone waiting for you so dearly always brings you back faster...

The 'Chosen One....'

This was some years back, perhaps when my daughter was just 3 years old...

She was sitting on the window ledge and I was trying to feed her. I asked her how she was born in our family. She embarked on a story.. She said once when she was flying in the sky- she saw me hanging out the clothes to dry in the window. She immediately decided that this is the 'mamma' that she wants. She went and told God - Please send me to this 'Mamma'. And that is how she landed in our family. Later when I told this story to my husband and he again asked her how she came into our family - she told him the same story - except this time she told him she had seen him watching the TV and had decided she wanted this 'Papa'...

I am still amazed at how a little 3 year old can make you feel like "The chosen one..." and make you feel even more responsible then ever for doing what is right for her...

On Success

This week was one of the most important weeks in my life. My Ph.D thesis was accepted by the University and I received the Congratulatory letter.

I had waited for this moment for a very long time. I had taken admission in 2006, submitted the thesis in 2010 and finally and formally received the letter of acceptance in 2011.  Five years is a long time to cherish a dream, especially if you are trying to do the program with a full time demanding corporate job, two growing children and a growling husband :)

Today as congratulatory messages pour in from family, friends and colleagues, I reflect upon the long journey of my Ph.D program and what I learnt from it.

1) The Ph.D program was a goal I set for myself in 2005-2006. It was the result of a setback I received that year on the career front. The setback made be rethink what I wanted to do and how.

I realise that today's success is the result of an adversity. The adversity created an intense desire in me to find and reach new heights.

2) The Journey was long - filled with hopes and despair in equal measure. On somedays, the odds seemed unsurmountable, the challenges immense and the wait endless.

Along the way, I learnt that our spirit has to transcend above everything. 

3) Apart from the knowledge that I got and the "Dr." before my name, I learnt lessons in patience, persistence and perseverance. I learnt that these are as important as focus, hard work, integlligence.

4)  During days when nothing seemed to work, it helped to sit aside and reflect.I learnt that all problems and solutions are in our mind.

                                                                                       

5) Finally, I learnt the value of prayers. I learnt that it was important to put my best but put the rest in God's hand!!

Dr. Maneesha

My blog

What is this blog about?

This blog is my personal reflections on everyday things that happen in my life as a mom, wife, friend, mentor, daughter, sister and a career woman.

In my 40's, I find myself reflecting a lot on what is right, what is wrong, what is meaningful , what is wise and what is otherwise.

I am hoping that this blog will help me share my perspective on  life.
Maneesha