A Birthday in India
Mallika Chopra - January 14, 2007
5 cakes to turn 5. Celebrating her birthday in India,
my daughter, Tara, has been showered with love, attention, gifts, fortune and awareness.
On her birthday, Tara woke up to balloons, phone calls, and presents. She met her 4 living greatgrandparents. She had lunch with her four grandparents. She met her cousins. She had a tea birthday party at home with friends. My aunt, another "great grandmother" to Tara, hosted a lavish dinner for her.
Her great grandfather, Bhara Nana, took her to the gurwara, the Sikh temple. We went to a Hindu temple. Tara and Leela prayed, taking it very seriously.
Her grandmother took Tara to an orphanage to give some food and money. A home for 461 girls, Tara was swept off her feet by giggling, happy girls who held her hands and stroked her hair. 100 girls in a classroom sang Happy Birthday to her. Tara shyly beamed feeling so special. Tears rolled down my cheeks.
And yesterday, her Dada and Dadi (grandparents) threw a big birthday bash to celebrate her birthday with even more friends and family. By the end of the birthday celebrations it will literally be 5 cakes to celebrate five.
I feel grateful for how fortunate we are. I think about how nurturing and warm it is for children to grow up in India. How blessed my daughter is to celebrate with so many family and friends.
Happy Birthday, my dear Tara. I love you.
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Posted by Mallika Chopra at January 14, 2007 07:39 PM
Comments
1. Posted by
Jean-Francois
![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.intentblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
on
January 14, 2007 08:28 PM
Happy Birthday, Tara. :)
God Bless you.
Love, Kristin
2. Posted by
Kristin Masterton
on
January 14, 2007 08:41 PM
Happy Birthday Tara...may you always find blessing,love,warmth and affection in your life.May each day takes you forward to the goal of your life.May you realise all your dreams and everyday dream new dreams...
Happy birthday!!!!!
3. Posted by
Andaleeb
on
January 14, 2007 09:49 PM
Dear Mallika
Happy birthday to Tara, who's received the wonderful gifts of love and compassionate living from her family. She'll never forget this birthday, I'm sure. Congrats on being a great mom.
love, Heath
4. Posted by
hgquinn
on
January 15, 2007 04:54 AM
Dear Mallika... the wonderful ways her greatgrandparents shared Tara in special ways.. was absolutely moving... even at age: five, you and your family, teach her how to share with the orphanage, and how to be compassionate!!
HaPpY BiRtHdAy Tara!!
with loving kindness,
North
Happy birthday dear child! May you always be blessed!
6. Posted by
Aurora Carlson
on
January 15, 2007 07:43 AM
Dear Mallika,
I totally understand what you are saying. I have two daughters the same age as yours. Being brought up myself in India in a joint family , my heart is crushed everyday to see them miss out on the love of our BIG family there. I was in India last year and celebrated Minerva's fourth birthday with all her large family consisting of grandparents, greatgrandparents, cousins, maasis, maamas etc etc. Having lived in a city in Canada for 3 years where we didn't know a single person made me realize what the value of family is and i especially realized it after having my kids. I used to crave for someone(apart from us) to hold my children and just love them and give them the nourishment they needed from the emotional security blanket of the family. Now we have moved to a new city where i have cousins and a few family friends. Since i have moved here i have had family members dropping in and already it feels like home. I sometimes really regret for the sake of my children the choice i made to move away from India. Would they turn out differently if they were brought up there? And how do i inculcate the culture, the warmth and the essense of India in them? I try socializing, taking them to the gurudwara, mandir, watching Indian TV, etc. Will that suffice? I was brought up in India, what did that give me? These are the biggest questions i face today. If we were to have a choice, should we move back?
7. Posted by
Jayaa
on
January 15, 2007 10:03 AM
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Tara!
8. Posted by
Jayaa
on
January 15, 2007 10:06 AM
Happy Birthday Tara,
Time goes so fast with these kids. How wonderful to all be in India and the opportunity for your relatives there to see her grow up.
Enjoy the rest of her trip...Hey, she's a Capricorn as I am....(jan. 19th) she's definatly going to turn out ok (smile)
Love, Joanie
9. Posted by
joanie
on
January 15, 2007 10:06 AM
heck, could't resist..
Entrapment! he made me do it!, Deepak,
that french, single, dude! on your thread..
Your karma..
so,
girls..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ0wMPSerYo
Love, Passion,
10. Posted by
marek dariusz podsiadlo
on
January 15, 2007 02:55 PM
Sorki, wrong thread, sorki,
This what i was reading, and than i thought of..
nevermind,
I'll copy/pasta,
What was this topic? girls, birthday's, and capricorns?
Heck,..no..not..have a babybrother under that sign.. and there were these..;)
they don't get more stubborn! than that sign..;)
anyhow,
so, 5 orbits, I read.. enjoy! and have fun!,
(little to none recent experiences around 5 year old's in my micro cosmos, to be of more..)
Love, Passion,
marek
11. Posted by
marek dariusz podsiadlo
on
January 15, 2007 03:06 PM
Happy Birthday Tara!
You must be a special girl!
13. Posted by
level7
on
January 16, 2007 06:56 AM
5 candles
5 cakes
5 years
4 great grandparents
461 girls in a home
100 girls in a classroom
all things to count
when
you
live
life
feeling
the
magic
created
by
people
tears roll down your face
the world glows
ALL things become
priceless
countless
memories
LOVE
Happy Birthday Tara, a tiny star that self-illuminates!
14. Posted by
Donna Young
on
January 16, 2007 07:20 AM
Happy Birthday to your daughter and
congratulations on the day you became a mom.
Enjoy
ML
15. Posted by
maria luisa
on
January 16, 2007 08:41 PM
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Recent Comments
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maria luisa commented on A Birthday in India
Happy Birthday to your daughter and
congr -
Donna Young commented on A Birthday in India
5 candles
5 cakes
5 years
4 g -
level7 commented on A Birthday in India
Happy Birthday Tara!
You must be a specia -
jasleen commented on A Birthday in India
Happy Birthday to little Tara. :)
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marek dariusz podsiadlo commented on A Birthday in India
Sorki, wrong thread, sorki,
This what i w
Happy Birthday Tara!
(click my eCard name)