I love my family

My wife – as all the other mothers, keeps very high hopes from my children. She works on it and put all her efforts to help them learn, do their homework, get them ready for the play and skits at their school and attends all the school functions taking leave from the office. Being a working mother, she manages the work pressures, still managing her time with the kids. This is taking its toll on her health too, but I know it will not deter her in putting her efforts to see the kids do well in studies and games. Fortunately, my daughter is one step ahead of her mom. She manages her homework, teaches her younger brother, and is so simple that would believe if any of her friends tells her that they have dido as their pet.

I am of the opinion that the child should understand the concepts and evolve, but my wife believes that the child should also have a good memory and should beat Albert Einstien hands down. She does not like if my daughter comes second in the class and considers it as her failure to give attention to the kids. My daughter is also on the same line and tops the class, well, most of the time. One person who is out of the line and does not bother about studies is my son and that may be the reason I like him. He is into his imagination most of the time with his small toys as they keep flying, talking, diving into his imagination. I remember calvin (the cartoon character) when I see him.

It was one of those times when I see the study room lights ON at 4:30 in the morning and I know it is examination time – be it monthly exams, half yearly or year end. My wife and daughter, both were on their mission.

The week went by and the tensions in the atmosphere were gone with it. The next week would be of anxiety. The results would pour in – one subject result per day. My daughter, as always was getting the best marks or almost best marks. Five results were out and she was first with half a mark lead over her closest rival. The final result would be out and we would get the winner. Day went by and my wife although in her office was like a lion walking relentlessly in his cage, looking at the time of return of my daughter. Two O’clock in the afternoon and she rang the phone. Rhea picked up and told that she has come second in the class, just half a mark behind the rival. “Its alright baby, may be next time. Don’t worry and don’t be sad. You did your best” was the answer by my wife. Commotion was obvious in her voice of an athlete who has finished second in a race with one hundredth of a second behind the first one.

In the evening, the detail discussion and revision of the answer sheet was ON. “Just one mark cut. Only if you would have got 20 out of 20, you would have made it. And see, the madam gave you 20, but then cut one mark. I think she saw your mistake and then cut the mark. Umm…”. Rhea told the story. “Actually I was given 20 marks and I knew that I am half a mark ahead from the other person. But then I saw my error which was overlooked by the teacher and I showed it to the teacher. Now I have 19.” There was a silence for a few seconds. “Mom, did I do the right thing?” Deepali hugged my daughter and said “Dear, even if you would have failed by doing so, I would not mind it. You did exactly what you were supposed to do. I was thinking that I lacked in my teachings and you came second, but I see that you have learned your lessons well. I am proud of you.”

I know there must be some good things that I did because of which I have got such a wonderful family. May God protect them from all the Evil and keep the innocence as it is.