September and our surprise birthday gift
My son was born on Monday, September 10, 1990. A Monday child is considered a loving and lively one and so was mine. He was a shy, smiling and sweet child – except on his birthday when he exhibited excitement and elation.
On his first birthday, we invited neighbours and family friends. Seeing the crowded home, he clung to me as he cut the cake amid the clapping and birthday song being sung.
On his second birthday, we kept the celebrations small with his previous year’s shy demeanour in mind. We had a family get-together and he enthusiastically participated in fun and festivity.
By his third birthday, he had understood the importance of the Big Day. He happily wore his new dress, distributed chocolates to friends in school and invited them over even before I had planned the event.
In subsequent years, the same pattern followed as he got a new dress and we decorated the home with balloons and ribbons. There was fuss over the shape of the cake, whether it would be a He-man, Donald Duck or cricket bat. But then I would be at a loss as I bought a surprise gift for him to match his liking. Once not able to decide what to gift him, I took him along to choose a toy but he was unable to decide between a remote control car and a string of brave soldiers. After that he preferred a surprise gift which was difficult to find.
Years rolled by and as September would draw near, I would sing with Helen Hunt Jackson, “By all these lovely tokens, September days are here, with summers of weather and autumn’s best of cheer.” At the same time, I would rack my brain to search for that perfect gift for my only son, Avinav, just to see the thrill on his face. Experiments with toys, books, sporting gear, wrist watch etc. continued but I could always feel that I haven’t been able to gift him something that he liked or needed the most. Perhaps his complacent and courteous temperament made me feel like this. As his birthday drew near, I kept my ears open to make a mental note of something he aspires to have, but the surprise remained elusive.
In life’s journey, so many years have passed as my little boy has grown up into an energetic young man. After finishing college, he now has a job. Now on our birthdays and anniversaries, he gives us a precious treasure of surprises, visiting us unannounced on special days, loaded with gifts of love and care. This year, as my son was busy with his job and studies, his birthday came and went. We searched for the ideal gift to give him a surprise. When I asked him what he’d like, his reply left me overwhelmed. “Papa and you are my greatest gifts. With shoulders always to lend, you understand and support me as would a friend. My love for you has no end. You are God-sent! You come and we’ll celebrate blissful togetherness,” he said.
My son’s thoughtful gesture made me realise that slowly but surely he has matured from a carefree and casual adolescent into a responsible youngster who has learnt the greatest lesson: Parents are the biggest treasure. So he is the gift for us and we are the gift for him.
“PAPA AND YOU ARE MY GREATEST GIFTS. WITH SHOULDERS ALWAYS TO LEND, YOU UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT ME AS WOULD A FRIEND. MY LOVE FOR YOU HAS NO END. WE’LL CELEBRATE BLISSFUL TOGETHERNESS,” SAID MY SON