One day after school, ten pampered years after My birth my mom asked me how I would like to have a sibling? I believe her exact words were ” Would you like ma to get a baby for you ? ” I think my response was quite positive for she cheerily went on to announce that we will in fact be having a baby. I, the ever dramatic kid pretended to faint with happiness jumping right back up to run to my next door Aunty screaming that I’m going to be a big sister soon.
I faintly remember my brother’s birthday but the consequent days of my mom insisting that the coming baby was not just my bro or sis but my first born as well remain etched in my subconscious for ever. That’s maybe what’s led to me being more motherly towards him than sisterly many times.
I can’t honestly say we grew up together. During his formative years I was away at college and consequently got married. Needless to say we pretty much have a generation gap. We have always lived in almost parallel worlds which collide every time we come together in our parents’ home. The times we share are short, sweet and full of memories that are extremely precious and memorable for they are pretty few and far between.
Yet each time the instant I lay eyes on him after a gap of any given time, I flash back to that joyous moment when I knew of his existence. I’ve loved him since then and I will love him for ever.
Which is what is making this particular Rakhi so bitter sweet. Today I have under my roof a pair of siblings who will be sharing their first Rakhi together. Rakhi the festival that binds brothers and sisters in the ties of love, laughter, naughtiness, shared sarcasm and ridiculous fights. The festival that tells a sibling that they are respected and mean the world to someone. The joy in my heart as a mother is untold. I only wish they share the same, if not better kind of affection that overwhelms my heart when I think of my own brother.
But as as sister, I wish I could go back to being a young girl who always had her little brother around to boss and pamper. Who had him looking up to her, literally and figuratively as she tied that decorated piece of thread onto his tiny hand. That impish smile of a loving little boy who felt extremely important in being the one to give his elder sister her Rakhi present.
Simply beautiful Adi 🙂