Cookie's day away from Daddy

Three weeks have passed, and Cookie is settling into a routine. As it grows, its weight and height increase and it resists being swaddled. Its sleeping patterns have shifted, with daytime naps and nighttime alertness. We confine it indoors at night, where it remains vigilant, attentive to sounds like distant dogs, cries, or sirens. At times, it vocalizes fear, hunger, or trouble it's gotten into.

Starting its day at 5:30 am, Cookie rouses us with noises, and I take it out for its morning routine. By 7:00 am, it's back, bounding around the house, especially as the kids leave for school (7:15 am) and later when my wife departs for work (8:00 am). Afterward, it enjoys an idli or dosa meal from its grandmother, followed by intermittent power naps. During these breaks, Cookie has grown accustomed to my presence while I go about my day working, offering belly rubs, hugs, and treats between work.

Last month, after a lengthy exchange of emails, I finally decided to let go and meet Div, hoping to witness her smile. Setting off at 2:30 am, I bid farewell, including Cookie, and caught the earliest flight to Bengaluru. My absence was tough on Cookie, with its behavior deteriorating into aggression and restlessness. My mother's efforts to console it were met with defiance and a frantic search for me.

When it did not find me it was restless, it was not interested in eating and was just too cranky. Around 10:00 am, my mother called me, and as Cookie heard my voice, it scurried around, yearning for me. Despite the call, its crankiness persisted and my mother managed to tie it down so that it stays restricted. In the afternoon, before boarding my return flight, I phoned home to check on Cookie's well-being. Upon returning that evening, Cookie's ecstatic welcome, marked by jumping and licking, was indescribable. While Div's smile eluded me on the trip, Cookie's affectionate reception was reward enough. The joy, unconditional love and affection was overwhelming.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson: never become so indispensable that your absence is deeply felt. Instead, aim to be a source of strength rather than dependency. We should aspire to enable "Life to continue with or without us"

This sentiment echoed in the lyrics of a Hindi song - "Ab to Aadat si hai mujhko aise jine mein."