My Little Miss
Try unlearning what you learnt and it won't take you long to realise that learning is a far easier task! Learning comes naturally to us.
But I am not talking of learning here but unlearning.
Life began for me much like any other child, learning all the way through, obidiently, dilligently perhaps unquestionably. I was not even 21 years when in walked into my life a little being who turned my entire world topsy turvy. She was my first born. I stepped into motherhood with her in arms little knowing that she will soon have all my" learnings" up in arms against her path breaking ways!
Nights are when we all sleep. Time for rest and lullabyes, goodnight kisses and lights off. Thats what I had learnt, read, seen in movies - mothers cutely tucking in babies under satin sheets. Oh how I went to town matching the pink blanket with the pink polka dotted night suit.
One month old and I knew she was different! No sing song at night, no tucking her in. It was play time right through the night! I had to walk with her in my arms and talk to her otherwise she would let off a yell that was enough to trigger off the alarm bell. Slowly each day from dozing off now and then and being rudely woken up by her shrill cries of protest, my body slowly unlearnt that night time was bed time.
It was as if she reserved her best for the night. I distinctly remember that night. It was around three in the morning that she agreed to lay down and I just dropped off beside her. A few minutes later something made my eyes fly open. It was the most precious sight for a mother! She was sitting up on her own and gurggling to herself! She had grown under the veil of night! I had completely unlearnt the fact that nights are meant to be in bed. The bond between her and me grew every night as I saw her learn new things and in the process unlearning mine. It was a delightful journey!
You can either be a left hander or right hander. From my school going girl I unlearnt this. Left hand was for writing, drawing, eating but the right was reserved for hitting bullies and later her brother when he came along! Amazing how she packed in power punches in her tiny right fist.
Study time was a very serious affair in our days. We washed and combed and sat down to study at the stroke of six in the evening. My parents would talk in hushed tones and no radio would be playing between six and nine in the evening. All to create an atmosphere for optimum learning.
I did the same but my little miss would refuse to look at the alphabet book without the television being switched on. I tried to be strict but nothing worked. Finally I switched on my unlearning button and all was well with her. From ABC to chemistry to mathematics it was music all the way for her. Any visitor would get shocked seeing her study and they always left debating as to which was she attempting, studying while listening to music or was it the other way round! I was as cool as cucumber by the time she was in high school. While my other friends discussed how they have imposed a ban on television, music was wafting through my house as aroma of freshly baked bread does in a bakery. She musiced her way through college as well.
But I have left out the icing on the cake! It was only after the witch hour that my little miss would have 'lights', 'music' and studies. I joined in because having unlearnt to sleep at night it was waking hour for me as well. I watched her hum and learn. Click on rewind buttons on the tape recorder and learn. Write and do ghastly mathematical calculations with ear phones on! It was a sight not to be missed!
Then she found a job and moved to another city. Taking her music along.
But listen my little girl what has happened to me and my unlearnt state. Every night I wish to see you gurggle. I want to twirl with you because that was your passion when you were five or so. Why has my music stopped? Tunes just flow through my mind but find no voice.
Yesterday, a leaflet was distributed by our residential society office. It said someone in the housing complex was playing music all through the night.
But I am not talking of learning here but unlearning.
Life began for me much like any other child, learning all the way through, obidiently, dilligently perhaps unquestionably. I was not even 21 years when in walked into my life a little being who turned my entire world topsy turvy. She was my first born. I stepped into motherhood with her in arms little knowing that she will soon have all my" learnings" up in arms against her path breaking ways!
Nights are when we all sleep. Time for rest and lullabyes, goodnight kisses and lights off. Thats what I had learnt, read, seen in movies - mothers cutely tucking in babies under satin sheets. Oh how I went to town matching the pink blanket with the pink polka dotted night suit.
One month old and I knew she was different! No sing song at night, no tucking her in. It was play time right through the night! I had to walk with her in my arms and talk to her otherwise she would let off a yell that was enough to trigger off the alarm bell. Slowly each day from dozing off now and then and being rudely woken up by her shrill cries of protest, my body slowly unlearnt that night time was bed time.
It was as if she reserved her best for the night. I distinctly remember that night. It was around three in the morning that she agreed to lay down and I just dropped off beside her. A few minutes later something made my eyes fly open. It was the most precious sight for a mother! She was sitting up on her own and gurggling to herself! She had grown under the veil of night! I had completely unlearnt the fact that nights are meant to be in bed. The bond between her and me grew every night as I saw her learn new things and in the process unlearning mine. It was a delightful journey!
You can either be a left hander or right hander. From my school going girl I unlearnt this. Left hand was for writing, drawing, eating but the right was reserved for hitting bullies and later her brother when he came along! Amazing how she packed in power punches in her tiny right fist.
Study time was a very serious affair in our days. We washed and combed and sat down to study at the stroke of six in the evening. My parents would talk in hushed tones and no radio would be playing between six and nine in the evening. All to create an atmosphere for optimum learning.
I did the same but my little miss would refuse to look at the alphabet book without the television being switched on. I tried to be strict but nothing worked. Finally I switched on my unlearning button and all was well with her. From ABC to chemistry to mathematics it was music all the way for her. Any visitor would get shocked seeing her study and they always left debating as to which was she attempting, studying while listening to music or was it the other way round! I was as cool as cucumber by the time she was in high school. While my other friends discussed how they have imposed a ban on television, music was wafting through my house as aroma of freshly baked bread does in a bakery. She musiced her way through college as well.
But I have left out the icing on the cake! It was only after the witch hour that my little miss would have 'lights', 'music' and studies. I joined in because having unlearnt to sleep at night it was waking hour for me as well. I watched her hum and learn. Click on rewind buttons on the tape recorder and learn. Write and do ghastly mathematical calculations with ear phones on! It was a sight not to be missed!
Then she found a job and moved to another city. Taking her music along.
But listen my little girl what has happened to me and my unlearnt state. Every night I wish to see you gurggle. I want to twirl with you because that was your passion when you were five or so. Why has my music stopped? Tunes just flow through my mind but find no voice.
Yesterday, a leaflet was distributed by our residential society office. It said someone in the housing complex was playing music all through the night.
posted by Autumn Leaf | 1:22 PM
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