Hi dear friends,

Here's wishing you a very very Happy New Year! Rishu turned 1 today and we had a small gathering at my in-laws place. We had some baloons, a Winnie the Pooh cake and some light snacks. I had not wanted to make it a big affair at all since it was hard to celebrate his first bday without Puneet. US aaker acche se karoongee. Waise 19th ko bare roop mein uska welcome party hain ie after Puneet comes. He had absolutely no plans to come and I had given up on it but then he decided to make it as he was missing us a lot (at least that is what he says :))
In the morn we went to this org which my FIl goes to as he is an orthopaedic surg-they sponsor free calipers for polio patients and make free Jaipur foots for the poor. I love going there as I feel I am doing something at least otherwise typically I feel I do nothing for my desh. We donated money there and dist some blankets to the poor. Felt nice. I was in the workshop for a long time and it was really hard to see such small children also coming there for calipers-they couldnt even stand properly and the parents had bought them in their hands from faraway places. Sacchi I realized how blessed we are. Anyway, that was emotional. Shaam ko wohi gathering thi where my parents, sisters and mausi had come. Then later we went to Hanuman ji and Kali ji ka mandir. I missed Puneet terribly but all in all we had a good day birthday wise.
I came to mom's place 3 days back but couldnt log on -was so desperate to check my email as I hadnt seen it it days!!
Pgm pehle se hi ban gaya tha ki hum yahan 15th tak rahnege mom ke paas but FIL bole 10th ko aane so I kinda raised my voice a little on him. He didnt like it but I figured I had had enough. Wahan sasural mein ek patta bhi nahi hilta meri nanad se pooche bin lekin yahan I should forget my folks!

Anyway, bahut kucch bolna aur likhna hain lekin aa kaafi thak gayi hun. So next time I can login I will write more.

Wishing all the chintus and chintis a very very Happy Bday..

Love you all and missing all the communication I used to do...

Reena friend replied. hello Reena,

First of all a very happy birthday to Rishu.
May God bless him with happiness!
after reading your description at your in-laws place i feel as if you are describing my position.
why our culture is like this i never understood..we do so much for our in-laws but then why cant they understand our pain...our feelings.....
why do they hate when if have to go for a stay at our parents place.co'on that the place where we were born and spent our entire childhood..
i hope this will change and atleast our babies will not have to go thro this.

love,
A Friend ramya replied. hi reena,
really liked thw way u celebrated rishu's b'day and appreciate that..
thanks for sharing all the experiences with us..
sweet kisses to rishu.
love
ramya
Vani replied. Dearest Rishu betu,

Wish you a very happy birthday and many more to come. Sweet kisses from Vani aunty, Shyam uncle and your friend Rishi.

Dearest Reena

I liked your celebration idea very much. In fact I was telling Shyam yesterday to donate to an orphanage at Chennai 'coz we do that for all our birthdays every year. This is the best way of celebration and hats off to you. I know how tough it is without Puneet being around since first birthday is for sure a special occasion. What to do, you just have to accept it. When are you going back to US? How is Rishu now and what are his antics? Is he walking? Rishi is walking with support only still and is not speaking anything at all. He has catched up on words but he doesn't know to relate. He says appa, but he still doesn't know that he should Shyam appa. Anyways let him take his own time. He is unwell now - I am writing that in a seperate post. Keep writing. I miss your posts and Paddu is also not around, so kind of feeling lonely. Its amazing how much you people mean in my life!

A very happy new year to you, P and R and also tell your parents and didi my wishes.

Take care.
Lots of love
Vani komal replied. HI Reena,
Wish Rishabh a very very Happy First B'day...give him a big kissy from my side!! I clearly remember the day he was born ...itni jaldi time nikal gaya ...Good to read that you celebrated in such a different and nice way!! So what are rishu's latest badmaashi's:) ....
Chalo then you have fun !!
Achcha when are you getting back from india...i was hoping you'll be back before megha's b'day and then we could meet..
take carea nd happy new year to you and all at home!
Love,
Komal