Kolkata my love.

The roads are a rutted mess of mud, garbage and lord knows what. My insides shrink when this squalid mix touches my toes. The sky is an unloving grey, sending forth showers of questionable rain.

The traffic is like the mind of a maniac, directionless, rude, pushing forward, ambulances pathetically waiting to be given right of way..but nobody seems to care. Ragged children pester me at every traffic stop, it breaks my heart to see a child carrying a child, with no certainty of food, clothing, shelter, parents or personal safety. If I can buy them a meal or a smile, why not?

Sassy, sexy, smokin'

Is your child growing faster than you would want her/ him to? Join the club. Just the other day, I could pick mine up using one hand only..she was born 2.65 kgs, her knees being her most knobbily outstanding feature, hairy face and crinkled eyes. My beloved brat.

I watch her even as I type this out, her brow scrunched in concentration, playing webkinz on the computer.

Last night when she was trying on her new night shirt (green, with Tinkerbell on it), she came to me for an opinion. I slowly gathered my arthritic thought processes together, trying to focus beyond the immediate problem of putting leftovers back in the refrigerator. I said "Babe you look ssssssss"..and could not find the right word. She kindly finished my sentence.."Sassy?".."Nope, not the right word" said I timidly. "Sexy?" came the next tentative suggestion :-).
As I held onto the banister, I somehow managed to find the long lost "Ssssmokin' !!" and bleat it out. Wow. The next time I will write my adjectives down for prompt retrieval. And her front teeth are not back yet..

Nickylee

Nickylee's family is a living testimonial to the power of faith and prayer. They have been through the toughest days of their lives ever since Nicky was diagnosed with a brainstem glioma in February 2008.

Nicole and my daughter Minnie went to the same 1st grade class. One day on a trip to the school office, I saw Nicole and was taken aback by her obvious esotropia (convergent squint) ..I assumed it was refractive and surely her pediatrician would tell them what to do. I pushed it to the back of my mind and carried on, a niggling doubt bothering me. This esotropia was too dramatic, and it was new. Also, I did not know her mother at all..it was probably none of my business anyway.

When Minnie was making a list of friends to invite for her birthday, Nicole was on the list. "Because she is really nice Mom!" was the reason. The party was at an inflatable jumping zone where the little monkeys could go berserk.

And then I met an incredible woman..Nicole's mother. I do not mean to embarass you my beloved friend, but you have put so many things in perspective for me. Thank you..simply for being what you are..brave, courageous, very very strong ,with unwavering faith in the love and mercy of God.

I wonder how it would be to watch my child rapidly lose the use of her arms and legs, way way beyond cerebellar signs, not be able to swallow, and wonder and worry and wonder and worry...
Would I have half the courage ? Maybe I would.

And Nicole, God bless her and the boiled egg..I am so moved by the incredible power of such a tiny and quiet child. What a girl!

We are all with you, beloved little girl. And we will cheer you on!