I am ONE

I am ONE year old now. Actually, I was one year old about 9 days ago.

Reason I am saying this is to remind those of you who did not wish me on my birthday. Also, thanks a lot to all family and friends who did remember and who did call or wrote in. For the record, I totally loved it!!

Birthdays can be quite productive. That’s what I think, fresh from my first birthday. Lets face it – (i) You don’t get that many gifts on a single day any other time, (ii) you are the center of attention, (not just for family) but for 100 other people who come for the party, (iii) the goodies for the tummy… yummm.., (iv) New clothes, and finally (v) your world coming together.

Such was my first birthday. We were in Calcutta to celebrate it. The Cal junta had still not got a chance to get my darshan. Plus, Baba-Ma (i.e. Dada-Dadi) are shifting houses there. And hence the gruh-pravesh pooja was there. As a result, we all trooped in to the hot and humid city for 4 days. All the others were also there – Kaku, Bhua, Fufaji, and certainly both my didis – Mansi and Gunjan. And guess what, Nana-Nani also came down from Delhi for a couple of days.

The day itself started with everyone was giving me poochis and saying Happy Birthday. And I wondered – “Whatever happened to good old Good Morning today!! Maybe its gone for a holiday!!” Mummy was the first to give me a big hug and wish me. Then as everyone kept repeating it, every few minutes, I got confused. For a while I thought I was being asked to do something. But I didn’t know what. Then I gave up – and just enjoyed :)

Got loads of gifts (even before the party). Chhota Dadu gave me a pendant, Didis gave me a toy each, Bhua-Fufu gave me a ring and some clothes and all. Kaku – the forgetful one – couldn’t figure out what he should get me, so we went and bought me a set of 100 balls!!! I mean, that’s a cool idea. I’ll certainly not need to buy one for a few years I guess. Papa-Mummy gave me a tricycle [though much later :( ]

The 13th was largely a family day. Morning was some special traditional lunch which Dadi made. Evening, we went out to dine at a nearby Chinese restaurant where I got lots of crispy noodles to have. The highlight of the day, however, was something else. Just before lunch, Mom, Dad, Chachu, Mansi Di and I went to this place close to home. It has high walls and a big gate. We went in and saw about 100 girls – girls of 2 years old through to girls of 20 year old. I wondered why they were all here!!

We were there to offer then lunch, ice-creams and chocolates. I stayed with Papa while the others served them lunch. They were all in queue and came with their plates and bowls, of all shapes and sizes. And they waited patiently to say their prayers before they ate. They were really happy and excited when we gave them ice-creams and chocolates. At first, I wasn’t sure what the big deal was, till Papa told me that they didn’t have Daddies and Mommies to earn the money and cook them food. And they didn’t have ice creams and chocolates every day.

Oh.. so it turns out that this was a place for girls who didn’t have Mommies and Daddies to live. I wondered why they didn’t have Mommies and Daddies. But didn’t have the heart to ask the question.

The actual party happened on 14th evening, the same day as the Gruh-Pravesh pooja.

When I got there, I saw lots of balloons, ribbons and a nice big hall to run amok. Very soon people started coming in and each one wanted to meet me, wish me, and pull my cheeks (I DON’T like that!!!). I would first see what is it that the person was carrying as a gift, and then decide how much I would allow myself to be manhandled by him or her. I promptly took all the gifts and cash that people gave and handed it over to Papa for safekeeping.

There were so many kids.. mostly elder than me but some even of my age. I didn’t know there were so many, cos I am not used to seeing so many kids in one place. Bhua got them to play some games which they liked. I couldn’t play because I am too small.

Bhua told me – “Next year, you will play.”

Bhua – don’t forget.. Next year, I will play.

After some time Mummy took me to the center wherein there was a nice strawberry cake sitting on the table. I wanted to eat it quickly, before the other kids saw it. But Mummy wouldn’t let me. Then Papa took me and alongwith Mummy and Chhota Dadu, we cut the cake. Everyone gave me a piece of it. It was very very tasty.

Then we pulled down this big strawberry which had a lot of chocolates in it. All the kids gathered under it to grab then. Papa lifted me up and got me to pull it open. I thought I’d show my strength and instead pulled the whole thing down ;) Papa was quick to catch it and spoiled the fun :) (PS: - some of you saw I was scared.. don’t mention it.. pls!!).

By this time I was feeling totally exhausted. It was very hot and humid, I had gone through two change of clothes. I had met about 150 new people. And most importantly, I had picked up all the gifts there were to be picked up J

So then Mummy packed me up and took me home to bed. And that was the birthday party.

Next day when I saw all the birthday gifts, I was so excited. I decided that I want to have a birthday every week J

And for those of you who didn’t wish me this time, don’t forget my second birthday. It comes on the same day, exactly one year later.