My daughters say that I cant be like Aai. I am sad. Which means, now nearing 40, I have to compete even with my mother. So I ask 'what does she do that makes you like her more?'. They say:
She laughs more
She sings more
She appreciates more
She talks more
She plays with us
She reads to us
She has lullabyes for us
She manipulates for us
She saves money for us
She never smacks
She is on the swing with us
She lets us mess up the kitchen
She opens the door when we get home
She runs with an umbrella to the bus stop when its raining
She makes 'pitha' and 'gajaa' for us
She watches us perform
She calls out to Aja whenever we do something new
She writes her stories about us
She knows what we like
She keeps her promises
She pats us to sleep
She sleeps with us
She smells good
She loves us more
She...
I ask them to stop right there and go hit the bed. 'Its past 10.30--dont you see you have school tomorrow and I have to be at work'?

(pic: Shuma when she was 3 with Aai in Sarita Vihar appts, Delhi)