ensures

Dearest Vishnu

A very happy 17th Birthday to you!

It is believed that miracles happen to one in a billion. But we have never thought that we would be among the lucky ones until we had you this day 17 years ago, the year they called it the Millenium Year. Doesn’t it look like it was just yesterday that I blogged a wish for you on the 16th Birthday (Jeeyo Hazaaron Saal – Ashrit) Shared it for the lovely pictures compiled in it.

Hey Seventeeeeeeennnnnnn… Years! Where did the time go? I remember so vividly those moments I met you, outside the OT of Agadi Hospital. These lines sounds cliche. But when I got to carry you for the first time that morning and laid you on my chest, I swear it was swollen with pride. Nothing has changed to this day. Except that you have another constant companion… Your GUITAR! Not many can do what you did! Learn it all by yourself and though not a genius in the class of Jimi Hendrix or Duane Allmon, you are not any worse.

What do I want to see changed in you? What!!! No way, Young man. Keep being you, follow your heart and dream big! We could not be more proud of you as you fill our hearts with pride with every moment and everything you do.

Many a times, we learn equanimity (yeah, head to the Dictionary to find exactly what I mean here) from you. The coolest way you deal with situations is a treat to watch. I am sure there is a churn within, but you disguise it so well that clowns can do away with their funny dresses and borrow your attitude 😛

You may not be academically on top, but you are not bad there either. In any case, as we keep telling we love you and not your grades (9.1 is not bad by any yardstick for us considering your guitar, sports, drama and music). Don’t you worry, your  smile and happiness more than makes up just in case grades drops.

In a few years (not that you are not one already) you will grow up into an young little man, smarter and wiser to the vagaries of the world. But I am so confident that values that Amma and the uncles, aunts and cousins have instilled stands in good stead to take it head on. But then the only image imprinted in my mind will be that I first painted 17 years ago.

And finally as you really stand shoulder to shoulder literally, I am proud and grateful to the divine for the wonderful gift called you. What more could we parents and your sister ask for? Stay how you are, happy, smiling, caring and smart. The way things have shaped up, the wings are ready and spread for you to take flight to great heights. We pray that you have the strength and tenacity to last the course admirably. Just a piece of advise and caution – Continue to the great human being that you are!

Love you loads and Wish you a very happy birthday. Have a super duper one, Dude! Thanks for bringing the smiles on our face every day and our prayers that it brings a lot of them today and every moment of the year ahead.

Significant Seventeen:

Tarot Cards says 17 as Card of Stars – which symbolized all wishes coming true.

It takes 17 muscles to make a smile. Let the whole of 17th year keep these 17 muscles working overtime.