Honoring the woman in me

I was always a tomboy. I loved wearing my hair short and had no idea how to dress up. I loved climbing trees, swimming, cycling, driving, dancing and traveling without caring a thing about what others thought. My brother and my male cousins were my best friends. I bonded more with my male classmates and trusted them.

It was when I became a mother that I started realizing the true essence of being a woman. I began acknowledging how much effort a mother puts in to raising her kids and family. A tiny dependent bundle of joy reminded me constantly I was the world to him. I started honoring the woman in me more after I became his mother. His unconditional love and hearing ‘I love you, mother’ every day acted like an elixir.

I had put on almost 20kgs extra weight during pregnancy. My first act of self-love was losing that weight. Running behind him 24/7 and sleepless nights, of course, helped.

My second act of self-love was treating my body with healthy food. I began to give attention to the food I cooked every day, trying to keep it nutritious yet tasty. To one who opted to eat out at any given chance, it was a definite improvement.

My third act of self-love was chasing my passion. I revived old hobbies like crocheting, sketching and painting. I became a more dedicated blogger and writer once he started play school. I became a published author.

These days, once a week the two men in my life treat me like a queen. I sleep in late in the morning while they go out for breakfast on weekends. They bring me breakfast and later on help me cook lunch and clean. It is our bonding day.

I am still struggling in various aspects of grooming. I hate going to a beauty parlor. I hate torturing myself through waxing and threading. I am so confused when I have to buy clothes for myself. I still get scolded by my sister for not giving attention to tiny nuances while getting clothes stitched. I mess up recipes. 

I don’t think I will ever become an ideal woman. But I guess I am enough. I love myself and what I have become.

I have come a long way from being the girl with bushy, unkempt hair and bizarre clothes. Having a big fan at home who considers you as the prettiest woman in the world is my daily ego boost. 

This post is a part of #MondayMommyMoments being hosted by Amrita and Deepa. 

Angels !!

Angel : A digital  photo manipulation I did.

Do angels really exist?

I believe, yes….

Not in the way that they are usually portrayed, as in the above photo, but in the human form.

Didn't an angel called mother, take care of us till we were able to eat, walk and take care of ourselves?

Wasn’t the angel called father, who took care that we had all the basic necessities in life?

Did you have an angel called brother or one called sister who hovered around showering you with love and protection?

And the angels called teachers; weren’t they the one who guided us and taught us lessons we had never forgotten?

And what about the angels called friends, who come unexpectedly into our lives and stays for a reason or for a season, but makes us laugh when we don’t even want to smile?

Yes, Angels do exist.

And when a stranger helps you out when you were helpless, you think he/she was an angel send by god to help you.

The lady in the bus who gave you seat when you were struggling to balance your grocery bag, kid and purse…Wasn’t she one too?

How about the man who pulled you back ,when you were crossing the road carelessly, unaware of the car that was fast approaching?

And the husband, who works hard to provide food,shelter and clothing for you and family?

And the wife, who after toiling hard at office, then works late until night to ensure that her family have  proper food and clean clothing ?

The housewife, who becomes everything to her husband and kids starting from being a cook, cleaner, teacher and guard?

And the neighbor who came with a bowl of food when you were sick and hungry?

And the small kid who smiled at you, when you were sad and thought the whole world hated you?

And the doctor who came to attend to you, even though he had finished his duties for the day?

Yes, they all were angels.

You won’t know when and how they will come into your life. They will come and touch you, in their own unique way, calming down your racing hearts and creating memories that last a life time.

And as time passes, unknown to yourself, you become an angel to many; as a mother/father, brother/sister, friend, teacher, wife, husband and in many other myriad forms.

So, there we go.

Angels do exist after all.

 To whom did you become an Angel today?