Chapter 12

Finding joy in everything!

Daughter now eleven, watched this newborn closely and took interest in observing the activities around him. We tried to involve her in whatever way possible and realised that she was understanding and developing feelings like concern and care. She learnt to keep the door shut when the baby slept and held him very carefully on her lap not letting him slip. She liked  playing with his little toes and fingers and was highly focused while watching his diaper being changed!

Another educator, efficient and energetic brought my daughter many steps forward in terms of answering multi-choice questions, writing, drawing and doing small tasks independently. I was unable to attend her last Annual Day function in junior school, due to engagement with my son. My emotions knew no bounds seeing her standing so patiently on stage and singing with actions like all the others, as I watched her video later. She made her teachers and her school so proud! Now she got promoted to middle school in April 2006.

My daughter had been gaining weight steadily in the last 2 years. We thought it was for comfort eating, leniency on our side and lack of adequate exercise. Still we got a few tests done to rule out any physiological issue. It turned out that she is suffering from insulin resistance (i.e. pancreas was producing excessive insulin), which results in PCOD, hair loss and obesity. This needed to be treated and we started visit to the endocrinologist. This time also happened to be the critical phase of adolescence.

My son’s milestones were well in place…we thanked God a 100 times when we heard our son speak, talk and sing effortlessly! Still there was fear at the back of the mind, hope his learning and social skills will be at par with the rest. This would be ruled out once he goes to school and interacts with other children. It was time for us to admit him to a play school and I was full with gratitude for getting another chance to bring up a child…trying to give my best! He settled down in pre-nursery and began to open up to his peers.
On their Annual Day, it was the same feeling of excitement to see my son on stage…yet very different! I did not want my son to stand out….I wanted him to be like others…
At the end of the show, tears rolled down my cheeks, a parent sitting next to me asked, “Is it your 1st child on stage…this had happened to me too!” I don’t remember my answer!

A loving child otherwise, my little son was hesitant at times to approach his sister, probably confused or scared of her ways which were different than others! It was too early for me to explain to him….all he needed to know was that HIS SISTER IS LOVED IMMENSELY!