Chapter 43

All about striking a balance…physically, mentally and emotionally!!!
This is best managed with the right attitude and sincere efforts!

Taking care of a 82 year old lady with her 3rd pacemaker, lungs fragile after reoccurring bronchitis, is difficult….who said life is easy? I did not see an option of not doing it…I knew I would find the strength to do this with good time management! Maa continues to feel guilty for being a ‘burden’ to me as my plate is full already! So my focus has also been on ‘never to complain/ give her a chance to feel guilty’
Why and how are your old, ailing parents burden for you? Just the way taking care of your child is ‘love and care’…so is taking care of your parents.

For every 16 year old taking online classes day after day…. it is a challenge not to get distracted or not to participate in social media, often. My son is no exception! I realised that my expectation from son was high and irrational which was causing frustration in me. It took me months to come to terms with this…and I chose to ‘choose my battles!’
I have complete faith that he will realise, be self motivated when it is the right time for him! This tug of war has to end…I need to let go….with trust and faith!

Daughter darling is now more alert and conscious of everything around her! She has now started deciding who will come home and who will not! If part time help is late, when will she clean her room? If electrician/ carpenter has completed his job then why hasn’t he left our home yet? She always decided the menu for each meal, now we all need to request and plead for a cuisine of our choice. All said and done, we enjoy being governed by her!
Nevertheless we have to teach her politeness and being sensitive. If she tells someone to leave the room, we try to understand ‘why?’ and then try and explain to her to be kind.

She loves to stay in her brother’s room, especially when he is busy with his classes. At the gym, she loves to exercise on the crosscycle beside her brother looking at him occasionally. When I peep into her room at night, the sight of both of them holding hands and sleeping, heals my heart completely.

Son earlier was very conscious about what people will think or feel about his sister. But now, am in awe of his maturity and acceptance at such an young age. He is more embarrassed to hear me break into a song anytime… anywhere!!!! A day will come when he will accept his mother and her ‘bindaas’ attitude too!

If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”– Albert Einstein