If I Were A Baby Again
This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 4; the fourth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.
November 07, 2009 Pune, India - She was turning sixty-five today and it was the greatest day of her life. Not because it was her birthday, rather because it was a day when she had received the greatest gift of her life, a one day-old grand-son.
The old granny had spent her entire life within the four walls, the old house of her in-laws. Her being physically challenged had almost always proved futile to de-motivate her in life. She had always been a loving mom of two kids and a responsible housewife. It was more than ten years now that she had lost her husband, the memories of whom were the only thing that she was living for.
She loved her kids more than anything else. They reminded her of everything she had faced in her life and most importantly, the sweet memories of her husband.
"He just looks like his grandpa", she said unable to contain her excitement as she scrolled her wheelchair towards the cradle of the newborn.
"You are right Mom", said her elder son who was amazed to see the enlightened face of her Mom. He noticed that she was actually laughing with tears in her eyes. He had never observed Mom acting this way in the past several years.
"You're crying Mom?", the son asked.
"Am I?", she interrogated as she rubbed her wet eyes with her saree, "These aren't really the tears dear", she tried to evade the situation.
She looked at the little angel who had just added an unusual zing to her painful life. She touched his tender fingers with love.
"You know son, his fingers are just like the ones you had when you were born!", she said as she caressed the little hand of the baby.
She recollected the memories of her life. Everything seemed so green in her mind. She continued to go back in time, back until she was drowned into her farthest memory - the young face of her poor father and the warmth of her mother's lap. They loved her so much, just like their other daughters.
Love must be blind, she thought as she looked at her crooked leg which was resting on the foot board of her wheelchair. They simply overlooked the need for vaccinating their little daughter, she recollected.
"By the way Mom, you didn't tell us what present you wish to have on your Birthday?", the son interrupted her stream of wandering thoughts.
She shrugged as she smiled. Her face had a spark filled with life, vigor towards unfulfilled dreams and ambitions.
"I wish, If I were a baby again!", she murmured.
November 07, 2009 Pune, India - She was turning sixty-five today and it was the greatest day of her life. Not because it was her birthday, rather because it was a day when she had received the greatest gift of her life, a one day-old grand-son.
The old granny had spent her entire life within the four walls, the old house of her in-laws. Her being physically challenged had almost always proved futile to de-motivate her in life. She had always been a loving mom of two kids and a responsible housewife. It was more than ten years now that she had lost her husband, the memories of whom were the only thing that she was living for.
She loved her kids more than anything else. They reminded her of everything she had faced in her life and most importantly, the sweet memories of her husband.
"He just looks like his grandpa", she said unable to contain her excitement as she scrolled her wheelchair towards the cradle of the newborn.
"You are right Mom", said her elder son who was amazed to see the enlightened face of her Mom. He noticed that she was actually laughing with tears in her eyes. He had never observed Mom acting this way in the past several years.
"You're crying Mom?", the son asked."Am I?", she interrogated as she rubbed her wet eyes with her saree, "These aren't really the tears dear", she tried to evade the situation.
She looked at the little angel who had just added an unusual zing to her painful life. She touched his tender fingers with love.
"You know son, his fingers are just like the ones you had when you were born!", she said as she caressed the little hand of the baby.
She recollected the memories of her life. Everything seemed so green in her mind. She continued to go back in time, back until she was drowned into her farthest memory - the young face of her poor father and the warmth of her mother's lap. They loved her so much, just like their other daughters.
Love must be blind, she thought as she looked at her crooked leg which was resting on the foot board of her wheelchair. They simply overlooked the need for vaccinating their little daughter, she recollected.
"By the way Mom, you didn't tell us what present you wish to have on your Birthday?", the son interrupted her stream of wandering thoughts.
She shrugged as she smiled. Her face had a spark filled with life, vigor towards unfulfilled dreams and ambitions.
"I wish, If I were a baby again!", she murmured.
The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.
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Short and sweet. A very good story Neeraj.
ReplyDeleteFabulously written Neeraj. You have tremendous flair for stories. As I wish you great luck for Blog-a-ton 4, I suggest that you seriously consider writing a book.
ReplyDeletetalking skill seconded
ReplyDelete@Madhu, Thanks and glad that you liked it!
ReplyDelete@Talking Skull/RSV, That's one of the greatest appreciations I've ever received. I am sure, if my book ever gets published, a minimum of two copies would be sold :)
lovely ... simply lovely
ReplyDeletevery sentimental..every physically challenged person's dream of being born in the better world..u handled this very well...good luck!!
ReplyDeletePushpee
Nice to see a person a person really concerned for the challenged people
ReplyDeletewow !! wat a gr8 post Neeraj .. really it was too gud .. :)
ReplyDeletenice one. emotional and simple. loved it..
ReplyDeletevery touching!. In a few words you have said a lot.
ReplyDeleteAmazing!! This is the best and the most meaningful posts on being a baby again I have read so far.
ReplyDeleteWow! Speechless...
ReplyDeleteI third 'talking skull' and 'RSV'...
Very well written, Neeraj. Very crisp.
ReplyDeleteAll the best!
What a story!! Wonderfully written.. All the best!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story! I enjoyed reading it... a meaningful ending indeed...
ReplyDeleteThanks all! Glad that you liked it so much! Blog-a-ton results - Fingers are still crossed!!!
ReplyDeletereally a nice read...i like the way you get the mother say she wished she were a baby again..all the best.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece of fiction if I may call it that...it seemed as if you have experienced the situation in your past...your writing carries that much of sincerity.
ReplyDeleteI especially loved the part
"...Love must be blind, she thought as she looked at her crooked leg which was resting on the foot board of her wheelchair. They simply overlooked the need for vaccinating their little daughter..."
A very good post. You know what I like the most about your posts, they deal with sensitive topics and you give complete justice to those topics :) Beautifully written!!
ReplyDelete@Narendra, Thank you!
ReplyDelete@ARJuna, The story is a fiction but it is inspired from the life of my dear Aunt (Papa's elder sis) who has been unfortunate in this matter. She never expresses her grief ever. We have been observing her since years. But her face speaks everything that her tongue ever won't! When I decided to write initially, on this topic I wanted to give it a real touch - via someone who would have the deepest desire to be a child again, to rectify some things in the back and relive the life. It is just that some small mistakes in life count a lot!
@evanescentthoughts - Appreciate your passion to analyze my posts!
o.. what a ending.. and so nice of you to write about the feelings of grand parents
ReplyDeleteThat last line was absolute winner buddy !!! You really write well but this one was awesome....
ReplyDeletevery well written, it was a very good read
ReplyDelete@Chetan,Dhiman,Harsha - Thanks for your compassionate responses!
ReplyDeleteHey cool.. didnt see that end coming :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNeeraj, amazing is the word from me!
ReplyDeleteShort, cute and sweet!
All the best, do read my take on this topic!
@Shruti, Thanks. Just that I never meant to make it sweet! Rather it holds a very serious message - if you could make out!
ReplyDeletecud almost feel the soft skin of the baby and the wrinkles on the old lady. beautifully written..
ReplyDeleteu have a gift.
btw, long time no see at my blog..
also wondering if u wanna exchange links. :)
take care
Short, sweet, eloquent.
ReplyDeleteAll the best! :)
so real and vivid description...
ReplyDeletetouched my heart...
" It was more than ten years now that she had lost her husband, the memories of whom were the only thing that she was living for.
"
Loved your blog..
Now following... :)
Best of luck...:)
Cheers!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Neeraj: Your comment simply made my day...
ReplyDeleteDespite our diametrically different genre, ours is a mutual admiration 'society'... :-) With comments coming from friends like you (and Madhu, Guria, Kshitij, Narendra, et al) whose blogs I also read regularly, every word of praise/raves/rants is worth millions.
And, again, don't ignore my suggestions/request/advice (whatever!!) on publishing your stuff.. If you are feeling lethargic to write something new, you may simply compile your blog-posts.... :-)
@Amit, Thank you buddy! Your appreciation means a lot!
ReplyDelete@Talking Skull, Someday I would complete my book! I owe you a free copy :)
hey..guess me new here... my grandma is no more....from the first line i had the memories right in front now!! thanks a ton!! quite a neat and lovable post!..cya around dude!...by the way...nice pic!!
ReplyDeletea very emotional post 2 say the least well done
ReplyDeleteWhy would you say I have a problem with the topic? I don't have a problem with the topic. I just write the way I write.
ReplyDeletevery poignant. Crisp and nice!
ReplyDeleteThts beautiful neeraj.. mayb sumthing like mine, where u keep waiting till the end to know wn is he gonna cum to the topic :)
ReplyDeletend thts the best part, i.e., to be different!
Nice story nd narrated pretty effortlessly.. keep reflecting!
@HaRy!!,Prashant, Thanks a lot.
ReplyDelete@Aneet, Thanks for explaining. Keep it up!
@Vipul, So finally you commented on my entry :-) You were the most awaited one here! LoL
@chandrasegar, Glad that you liked!
ReplyDeleteNice story.. taking us through a mind of the generation which during course of time we would become. It is necessary to understand and appreciate their feelings.
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful. There is life in your narration and what a way to end the story. Took some time for me to realize that I was reading a story. Too good.
ReplyDeleteVery well written Neeraj! A lot of emotion in there!
ReplyDeleteWonderful story with balanced approach and creative flavours :)
ReplyDeleteKeep writing :)
A great read! :)
ReplyDeleteNo new posts... ?????
ReplyDeleteSuperb! well written.
ReplyDeletenicely woven towards the end,somewhat predictable,but nevertheless well written.
ReplyDelete@ Neeraj
ReplyDelete...let us together CelebrateLife!
Celebrate friendship amid in blogger's bonding
To celebrate...kindly, accept and collect this award and Honour me!
Awww...I am so touched by your story Neeraj. Very well written. Your writing style is brilliant. Keep up the good work buddy!
ReplyDeleteThis is great stuff..keep it up...
ReplyDeleteAahh..she is such a sweet granny :). That's the quality of a old people, they en-light the situation with charm of a classy thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteThis is something which looks direct dil-se...Glad I landed up here
ReplyDeleteWandered in and remembered a previous post from you that had touched me. This was the one !
ReplyDeletespeechless! :)
ReplyDelete