Be it grandkids or grandpuppies, there’s plenty of love to go around!
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Whenever I attend a wedding, or meet up with relatives or friends, the talk invariably veers around to kids and grandkids. There is a silence when I say I am yet to become a grandmother.
Then there are my friends. Every few months, one of them shares news on social media, of the arrival of a precious grand bundle of joy in their life. From Abhi and Kabir to Zozo, Ananya and Kriti to Vanya, the beautiful names shine like rainbows.
I get to see beautiful pictures of the little ones cradled in their mothers’ arms at the hospital, their homecoming, their cradle ceremony, their first morsel, their first letters, their New Years, Holis, Eids, Diwalis, Christmases and birthdays. I love imagining the fun and frolic the grandparents have, and the way they seem to bond with the adorable kids.
My son holds a PhD and is a professor. His partner is completing her PhD. They are busy academics with many close friends. They write, travel to conferences and social events together and are loved and respected in their academic and social circles. They do not yet have a child, but they have an adorable little dog who is the apple of their eyes. My spouse and I love little K and so does my daughter-in-law’s family. K is our darling and often makes it to all our profile pictures.
My mother had me when my grandmother was about sixty. Though my grandmother lived with my uncle and his family, our visits to them and her visits to us, endeared her to all of us. A strict disciplinarian by mien, she was soft as butter inside. She would make us banana fritters and dosas, and the aroma of her rich filter coffee was amazing.
My mother was a very young grandmother. I left my son in the care of my parents for the first three years of his life, and though it was a difficult decision, he had the best of both worlds. He grew up in halcyon surroundings away from big city chaos and our long work hours, and my parents doted on him.
My mother lavished more love on him than she probably did on us siblings. She would go to great lengths to fulfil all his wishes. My son found a big sister in my youngest sister, rather than a stern aunt. He travelled happily in the company of his grandparents, from Marine Drive in Mumbai and Fatehpur Sikri in Delhi to Tirupati and many idyllic places. He was also a favourite among my mother’s friends.
My mother is fond of the crossword in The Hindu. There is a picture of my son at age four mulling over a Hindu crossword with my brother. A family favourite, the photo never fails to get us talking about how much of an influence my mother has had on her first grandson. My son loves to cook, and I believe the seed was sown by my mother. All his favourites are from that time — delicious dosas, crisp vadas, lip-smacking chutneys, soft khichdi, rich aloo dum and parathas, fragrant malpua, crunchy rava laddoos, and more. My mother’s love for art and culture has also rubbed off on him.
My cousin’s granddaughter, who is three years old, follows my cousin around and can recite shlokas and recipes. Children learn quickly, and grandparents have much to teach these little ones.
I would love to have grandkids, and it bothers me that my biological clock to “enjoy” my grandkids is ticking loudly. But I believe that it is up to my son and daughter-in-law to decide about having children. When and if they do, my spouse and I will dote on them. Until then, we shall visit the terrific trio, talk to them often, be proud of their various achievements, pursue our hobbies, and generally have a grand time. I have also decided to answer people’s curious questions about grandkids with a smile, “Oh, yes, we have a grand-pup K who is adorable!” and enjoy their reactions.
Published – February 16, 2025 02:52 am IST