C is for… Child’s Birthday Today
It’s Aaryan’s birthday. He turns 11 today. I imagined waking him up with a kiss and a hug. Watched him as his lazy sleepy eyes open and instantaneously sparkle when it dawns that today is his special day. This is his big day and he always looks forwards to celebrate this day in a big way.
I can see the multiple lists he has made (I smile smugly at the knowledge of the gene pool that has contributed for his list making habit)…
- his personal list comprising of the new clothes, shoes, spectacles he’d want…
- his friends list which would have some names scratched off the list and then added again…
- the menu he would want for the party
- the options for the cake… he prides himself in having a unique theme for his cake every year
- a secret list (which would not be shared with anybody) of the gifts he’d want… just in case the grand parents, aunts and some friends ask about his choice of gift
The images of the party in action are vividly appearing in front of me…
The group of boys ranging from 8 to 14 years, huddled over somebody’s WWE Slam Attax cards. I can hear their cheers and excited ‘bragging sharing of knowledge’ over the WWE players.
The announcement from the sister that the party games are about to begin. I can hear the cheers and a few groans too…
The cake is about to be cut and all assemble around it. The little ones can’t resist touching the sides of the cake with their fingers and licking it speedily before anybody reprimands. The cake is no longer cut with parents or grand parents holding the knife… it is an affair which the friends manage. They cut it together and one enterprising friend has smeared the cake on Aaryan’s face. While the elders are shaking their heads in disapproval, the birthday boy is enjoying it thoroughly. It is like a sacrosanct ritual…
The food is being attacked with gusto…
The gifts are opened with impatience writ large on the face. ‘The Aha!’ outnumber the ‘Oh!’
I see a tired but a very content and happy child …
A beep from the phone breaks my reverie and … on a day like this I wish our son was not studying in a Boarding School.
April 3, 2013 4:09 am|
Now that was vivid – I lived through the party – and then the end was quite sad. I’m sure the boarding school has it’s own charm and party!
April 3, 2013 5:52 am|
Thanks Suzy! Yes, he will surly have a fun party at school! 🙂
April 3, 2013 4:34 am|
…..and no birthday bump which the friends give to the birthday boy.
What a sweet post, shilpa! You did it all virtually for him. Happy birthday, Aaryan! God bless you.
April 3, 2013 5:53 am|
Oh, I didnt see that in my day dream! 😛
Thanks a ton, Asha for the warm wishes 🙂
April 3, 2013 4:44 am|
Happy Birthday to Aaryan – He’ll cherish this post one day!
April 3, 2013 5:54 am|
Thank you so much Laxmi. Yes, that’s the thought… I’d like him to read the stories about him on this blog some day! 🙂
April 3, 2013 4:53 am|
aaah – a warm bear hug shilpa 🙂 Wishing the very best for Aaryan. <3
April 3, 2013 5:55 am|
A warm hug back to you too Priya! Thank you sooo much! Appreciate it 🙂
April 3, 2013 4:54 am|
Best Wishes to Aaryan and this post is a unique gift in itself Shilpa:)
April 3, 2013 5:56 am|
Thanks a lot, Mr Bhatia :))
April 3, 2013 5:14 am|
Happy bday to Aryan !
I love that name 🙂 I have a cousin’s son Ayaan. DAMN cute and 3yrs old. His bdays are my favorite
I never liked cake smearing. I Myself used to plead to not to smear
anyway hv a grt time
April 3, 2013 5:57 am|
Thanks you Afshan 🙂 Ayaan is a sweet name too! I hate this cake smearing… spoils the cake, hair, and many-a-times the clothes too! But people love doing it! 🙂
April 3, 2013 5:16 am|
Hugs for you Shilpa…your description was so good, I thought I was actually at the party. Do wish Aryan a very Happy Birthday. Hope he gets what he wishes for.
April 3, 2013 5:58 am|
Hugs back to you Vinita! And thanks a ton for the warm wishes 🙂
April 3, 2013 5:50 am|
Happy B’day to Aryan 🙂
I am sure he must be having fun at hostel!! I remember my days….though I used to miss my family but hostel b’days are different & special!
April 3, 2013 6:01 am|
Thank you Smita 🙂 Yes, he will have a cake cutting ceremony with sweets etc in the dorm. Till last year, the school would organize evening tea party or dinner party for the birthday kid (of course, the bill was sent to the parents!) but from this year, they have only a cake and paper sweets for the dormitory friends!
April 3, 2013 6:22 am|
Many many wishes to Aaryan. I am sure he will have a swell day at his school 🙂 You recreated the party for us with your words.
April 3, 2013 6:48 am|
Thank you so much, Shail for the warm wishes. Glad you enjoyed the party 🙂
April 3, 2013 6:30 am|
Happy birthday to him! I’m sure he’s having lots of fun with his friends!
April 3, 2013 6:49 am|
Thank you Roshni! Yes, he’ll be having a good time with his buddies 🙂
April 3, 2013 6:36 am|
Happy birthday to Mommy dear too.I know how you fee, my daughter lives in a hostel too 🙂
April 3, 2013 6:50 am|
Thanks for the comforting words, Sulekha! How old is your daughter?
April 3, 2013 6:54 am|
Hapy B’day to Aaryan!! Well jus the thot tht he is having a gala time at the boarding is solace enuf rt 🙂
April 3, 2013 8:36 am|
Thanks a lot, Meena! The fact that he is happy at school is surely a big comforter!
April 3, 2013 7:38 am|
boarding school also have many advantages shilpa. The residential campus environment ensures that students are immersed in an educational world where learning is central to all activities.
Paid Offers
April 3, 2013 8:38 am|
Oh yes, we are convinced about the advantages of a Boarding School and that’s the reason our child is studying there. 🙂
April 3, 2013 7:50 am|
They grow up so fast, don’t they? I can totally imagine this special day, from what you’ve written. 🙂
April 3, 2013 8:41 am|
Hi Heidi! Welcome to this space. 🙂
April 3, 2013 8:07 am|
Aww !! I wish he was with you today ! But I am sure he must be having a rocking time !
My cousins who were in boarding have such lovely memories of it !
April 3, 2013 8:44 am|
Thanks Ruchira… wish that happened! Wow… one more affirmation about B schools and this has made my day! 🙂
April 3, 2013 8:42 am|
Happy birthday wishes and lots of hugs to Aryan. When he comes home he will read all his Mom’s post.. He will be thrilled. Your A to Z is fantastic.
April 3, 2013 8:45 am|
Thank you sooo much Ma’am! Yes, he would read these some day!
Glad you are liking the series… but it is only the 3rd alphabet today and we have 23 more to go… but am sure we will sail through this one 🙂
April 3, 2013 1:49 pm|
I am sure you WILL.
April 3, 2013 1:53 pm|
:))
April 3, 2013 9:08 am|
A very very happy & fun Birthday to Aaryan. 🙂
I remember I started following your blog around the same time last year. Liked my stay of 1yr with the beautiful stories here.
April 3, 2013 9:41 am|
Thanks a lot, Praveen! Glad you like reading at this space. Appreciate it! 🙂
April 3, 2013 9:42 am|
Awwww, did not like the end one bit 🙁 Can’t you go to him? I’m sure he is having a great time. They all do. We are the ones who mop around about how fast they are growing. Happy birthday to Aaryan (which is also my nephew’s name) and happy labour day to you mommy. Hugs!
April 3, 2013 1:03 pm|
We can meet him for a few minutes but the travel time is way too much! 🙁
Thanks you so much V and LOL @ Labour day 😀
April 3, 2013 11:11 am|
Awww…that was touching… A very happy B’day to aaryan 🙂 🙂
lots of love..
Priyaa
April 3, 2013 1:03 pm|
Thks a lot, Priyaa 🙂
April 3, 2013 11:39 am|
Ah! beautiful! Reminded me of my boarding school days and how my mommy used to bring home made chicken for me 🙂
April 3, 2013 1:05 pm|
Wow! You studied in a Boarding too!! At what age did you go the B School, Priyanka? Have you blogged about your Boarding experience?? Would love to read all about it! 🙂
April 3, 2013 12:04 pm|
So you are progressing pretty well, good work.
Nice description, enjoyed the Birthday party of Aaryan.
Please pass on my best wishes to him on this grand day of his life.
April 3, 2013 1:05 pm|
It is just Day 3, Rama 😀 Still 23 more days to go 😀
Thanks a lot for your warm wishes, Rama. 🙂
April 3, 2013 12:48 pm|
Shilpa,Wish him on our behalf .
May be someday,we actually join you all this day for the party……you never know
April 3, 2013 1:06 pm|
Thank you Mr Chowla! Waiting keenly for you to join us sometime :))
April 7, 2013 7:21 am|
So are we…Lets see
April 3, 2013 1:12 pm|
There was a pang in the end, so painful, being away from your child on his birthday.
Damyanti @Daily(w)rite
Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2013
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
April 3, 2013 1:43 pm|
🙂 Thanks Damyanti for the compassion! Appreciate it! 🙂
April 3, 2013 1:21 pm|
All through out i was like ‘How sweet!’ But the last line broke my heart. 🙁
Happy B’day to Aryan. 🙂
April 3, 2013 1:44 pm|
Thanks Preeti 🙂
April 3, 2013 1:38 pm|
🙂 Happy Birthday to Aaryan. God bless him.
April 3, 2013 1:44 pm|
Thank you Shilpa 🙂
April 3, 2013 2:12 pm|
Eleven is a good age. I’m sorry that you are unable to spend the day with your son, but he’s probably having a great time.
April 3, 2013 3:26 pm|
Oh yes, 11 is a good age to be at a boarding school. Though he is very happy and well settled at his school but it saddens a mother’s heart on days like these… Thanks Clarissa 🙂
April 3, 2013 2:38 pm|
When we grow up, do our mom’s remember the birthday party in the same way?? Like I’m 30, married and living far away; I don’t think my mother cares about my birthday so much now! :))
Happy Birthday to Aaryan! Wish him lots of happiness.
April 3, 2013 4:12 pm|
I know what you mean, Nisha! For kids birthday parties are a big thing so as parents we are super excited too… Thanks a lot for your warm wishes. Appreciate a lot! 🙂
April 3, 2013 3:22 pm|
Hi Shilpa
I remembered one previous post of urs about your son being at boarding school ..I was wondering how come he is celebrating at home, and thought that perhaps he is no longer there.. 🙂 Anyways wishing him a very happy birthday! May his happiness multiply!
April 3, 2013 4:13 pm|
Hi Jayashree! This is his second year at the B school. Thanks a lot for your lovely wishes 🙂
April 3, 2013 3:40 pm|
Wow! I felt your sadness at the end. Happy birthday Aaryan. Excellent post for letter C.
April 3, 2013 4:15 pm|
Thanks a lot for your compassion. And thank you for the birthday wishes for Aaryan 🙂
April 3, 2013 3:54 pm|
Happy Birthday to Aaryan – what a nice name! And a list-child! Ah, I am blessed with a list child too! 😀
April 3, 2013 4:16 pm|
Thank you Vidya! Wow, our kids get their list making genes from mothers like us… isn’t that a proud feeling 😀
April 3, 2013 4:30 pm|
For a moment, I thought you had brought him home for his birthday. Happy birthday to Aaryan. Tell him a lot of ‘aunties’ wished him well today. ♥
April 3, 2013 6:41 pm|
Nah! He just went a month ago for his second year at the boarding school. Thanks a lot, Corinne, yes, I will surely make him read this post :))
April 3, 2013 4:56 pm|
Aaaawww so sweet 🙂 But I am sure Aryan must have enjoyed his birthday . This lovely post would be his most treasured gift …hugs to you Shilpa 🙂
April 3, 2013 6:42 pm|
Thanks a lot, Sridevi for the warm and kind words! Hugs back to you :))
April 3, 2013 5:02 pm|
Awww!
Contrary to what people think, I think boarding schools are awesome. 11th birthday, nice..reminds me of Harry Potter and how he got invite from Hogwarts on his 11th birthday 🙂
April 3, 2013 6:43 pm|
Wow! I had forgotten about that…will share with Aaryan about Harry next time. Thanks a lot Nandana 🙂
April 3, 2013 5:03 pm|
very nice! loved the way you have described it…it also reminded me how simple the life is when you look at life through the eyesof a child!
April 3, 2013 6:44 pm|
Glad you enjoyed reading this post Dishit. True, life is simple and easy for a child it is only we adults who make it complex! 🙂
April 3, 2013 6:13 pm|
Birthday wishes to Aaryan…hope he had a wonderful time.
April 3, 2013 6:44 pm|
Thanks a lot Janaki! Am sure he would have had a good time… will know when we talk to him on the weekend! 🙂
April 3, 2013 6:45 pm|
Loved your post, you guys miss him on his special day but am sure his friends at the hostel will ensure his day is special!
April 3, 2013 6:58 pm|
Thanks a lot, CW! Yes, they say that they have loads of fun in the dormitory! 🙂
April 3, 2013 8:04 pm|
Aww.. he must be missing all these things on his birthday too.. but I am sure this year he will enjoy more with friends at hostel. Wishing him a happy birthday 🙂
April 4, 2013 9:26 am|
Thanks A! Yeah, I am sure he would have had a great time! 🙂
April 4, 2013 12:31 am|
Awww….I know how you must be missing him. Wish him a very Happy Birthday, Shilpa!! My lil one will turn 4 in 10 days and she won’t be able to come before the bday as the tickets are expensive. Planning for a post birthday party after the week. Nice sweet post 🙂
April 4, 2013 9:27 am|
Thank you so much, Latha! Oh! You have a wonderful and fabulous party for the lil one! All planning done??
April 6, 2013 3:38 am|
No ya..nothing…becoming relaxed with years..as it is spring for us, planning to set it up in a park so that I will be spared with the home cleaning business 🙂 And order food from outside 😛
April 6, 2013 8:43 am|
That sounds like a fabulous plan! Enjoy! And then share pics with us! 🙂
April 4, 2013 4:29 am|
Wow Shilpa you caught the essence of the party so very well.. the licking of the cake.. and the lists.. sweet. I’m sure he’ll be having super fun at his school. Hugs to you though and many happy returns of the day to your son.
April 4, 2013 9:29 am|
Thank you so much, T and Hugs back to you :))
April 4, 2013 4:37 am|
Many wishes to Aryan.. He would ofcourse miss your hugs and kisses, but he would be having fun time with his friends at school.
April 4, 2013 9:31 am|
Thanks a lot, Seena 🙂 We are hoping that too and we’ll get to know all the fun they had when we speak to him over the weekend! 🙂
April 5, 2013 10:39 am|
This was a nice post! I like twist endings. I feel bad that this had a sad twist ending though.
April 5, 2013 11:02 am|
Thanks Dee for your compassion 🙂
April 5, 2013 10:58 am|
Awww Happy birthday to Aaryan!
April 5, 2013 11:02 am|
Thanks Rachna 🙂
April 5, 2013 6:23 pm|
Belated B’day wishes to the Big boy….and Big Hugs to the mom 🙂
April 5, 2013 6:27 pm|
Thanks a lot, Nibedita! Hugs back to you :))
April 6, 2013 3:53 am|
Best wishes to your son 🙂 And a sad ending though. Already I had told you that you could have your son beside you in your home. But you had some valid points. I am eager to see him creating wonders. 🙂
April 6, 2013 8:42 am|
Thanks a lot, Hari for your warm wishes and kind words! 🙂
April 7, 2013 2:08 pm|
Hi
popping in from AtoZ
What a beautiful post – you much miss him.
I look forward to reading more x
auntyamo
http://ficticiousamo.wordpress.com/
April 7, 2013 6:10 pm|
Hi Amo! Good to see you here and see you around! Thanks, yes, miss him being around!
April 9, 2013 12:08 am|
Aww that was one sweet post Shilpa 🙂
April 21, 2013 5:33 am|
Thanks LF 🙂
June 14, 2013 5:48 pm|
A lovely post! You know, The four Birthdays I had in hostel were wonderful too. So I am sure he would have enjoyed himself too. 🙂
June 15, 2013 3:45 am|
Yes, he had a great time this birthday at the boarding with his friends! 🙂
Thanks Jyothi! 🙂
June 14, 2013 11:11 pm|
Hahahaha birthdays are so much fun when you are young!
June 15, 2013 3:45 am|
Yes, they are, Patrick!
June 15, 2013 6:01 am|
A birthday in the hostel is fun, but my mum used to miss me so much especially on my birthdays. We could compensate that by having another celebration at home since we had two birthday’s in a year – one according to the English calender and another according to the traditional malayalam calender. So you can imagine, double the fun for us kids 😀 😀
June 15, 2013 6:55 am|
Wow… 2 birthdays in a year is kind of super cool. I know many celebrate this way… but we celebrate only as per the English calender! 🙂
June 17, 2013 12:09 pm|
Sounds like you were really missing your son. Wonderful party you had planned. Happy belated birthday to him!