Living far away from our home country, we seldom have any visitors at home in the form of relatives. We can easily count with one hand the number of relatives who have visited us so far. When I told Anirud that his 'periappa' (paternal uncle - elder) will be visiting us and that we will be driving to a nearby town to collect him from the hotel, he didn't show any interest. However, once 'Balaji Periyappa' came in and settled down, he stuck to him like a glue never refusing to leave him even for a moment. It was periyappa all day long for few days. When periyappa bid adieu, Anirud started crying and he didn't want to leave. Weeks later, he is still under the assumption that his periyappa will be returning back after a short stint in India.
After this episode, I strongly feel that this is something that Anirud will miss very badly, as a result of growing up in a foreign land. If we were in India, however busy we were, there will be some opportunity in the form of a wedding or numerous domestic occasions to meet the near and dear. Here in UK, despite our best efforts, he may not even hear about various cousins, let alone meet, hug and play with them. Telephone calls will never quite replace the personal touch and warmth, that the extended family could bring. This, probably might lead to some soul searching.
Ticker
1 comment:
Been a regular follower of both your blogs for a long time, but never commented! I just had to after reading this post.
I too stay far away from our home country and have a 2.5 years old daughter. The other day when my sister(who my daughter has never seen) visited us on one of her business visits, my daughter stuck to my sister the whole time and was crying after my sister returned and even to this day keeps asking for her.
I do feel bad that we are depriving her of a childhood like we had surrounded by relatives. Already started the soul searching exercise with questiioning the necessity to remain here!!!
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