When upon life’s billows
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the lord has done
~ Guy Penrod
As the egregious year gets ready to pack up, it leaves us with many a thoughts to ponder upon. On social media, the hashtag #2020 is generally attached to events that are horrible in one form or another. But if there’s one thing this wild year has taught us, it’s to count our blessings and really focus on the things that make us happy and keep us connected. And personally I learned a vital lesson. Not everything will go as planned. Rather things will take their own sweet course, not even remotely crossing the dream road that you had paved in anticipation. But it’s okay. The destination is reached nevertheless. The new road might be a little bumpy, devoid of the scenery we expected, but, it’s a road alright. With new experiences and newer adventure we reach our goals. So here is my personal recount of the year bygone which taught me to calm my anxious self and make peace with destiny.
This special year actually opened with a bang when, after a wait of several months two beautiful pink lines announced we are to welcome our little one into the family. And being a planner, I started planning everything. The doctors, the hospital, the maternity shoot, buying new clothes. I even planned a small outing during my second trimester. I always want everything to go as per plan. Else I get a panic attack. Thus everything was chalked out and all was going smooth (barring my horrible morning sickness which was time blind and attacked me at night!) That was until Lord Corona decided to bless the earthlings. And all hell broke loose. Nothing again went as per plan.
First the news of the disease brought anxiety. No one knew much about it. Different advices started flowing in to keep the would-be mother and the child safe. That got my confused self more puzzled. Things got worsened as the lockdown was announced. The maids stopped coming. The doctors avoided appointment, USG was stopped at clinics and I went paranoid. Google was my constant companion. I searched every minute symptoms. Instead of helping, it just increased my tension. But, still I was glued to it.
My in laws could not travel and come and I could not move to my mother’s place. The whole situation looked terrifying. We, two inexperienced fellows scurried around the household works, clueless. In the increasingly complex world we starved for some certainty and that was one thing certainly not coming soon.
Each month we expected things would look up the next month, but, the blight was here to stay. The elders were unhappy as their plan for a grand baby shower ceremony was reduced to a humble ritual. But, when survival is a luxury, celebrations were to be kept at bay.
And then came the dreaded announcement from the doctor. Due to some complications she wanted an early c section. The hospital beds were already scarce and I had to get admitted in an emergency. After much ado arrangements were made. But, new normal has new rules. No one was allowed to stay or visit me after the delivery at the hospital! As per the new policy outsiders were not allowed inside the hospital.
But, with great adversities came the most pleasant gift. Our son and our joy knew no bound. The next 4 days were painful. Recovering without a near one and jaundice of the newborn, meditation and books were my only solace. And in that tranquility of the aloneness, in the otherwise morbid hospital room, I realised the ultimate truth. Life has its own plan. We have no hold over it.The tough times do pass away and destiny rewards. Not everything goes as we decide, but we need to embrace life as it is. If every night instead of counting sheep we count our blessings the sleep would be more peaceful.
As I complete this blog after the hundredth interruptions by the cry, coo and smile of my little bundle of joy, I gathered that some interruptions are necessary and perhaps some good will come out of it. This pandemic has interrupted our daily life and taught us to rest and retrospect, to value what is actually precious. And when this storm will end, we will emerge stronger, happier and more empathetic to others. Cheers to a beautiful new year in offering.
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This blog post is a part of the Welcome 2021 Blog Hop hosted by Swarnali Nath.’
Congratulations for your bundle of joy. Many of my close friends have delivered during this new normal. New inning as a parent in new normal. I completely understand, when you have a proactive personality, something like pandemic is surely to make you restless. I am happy that you found your way of living with the new additions. Best of luck and best wises for the parenting journey!!
Thank you so much
Wow congratulations dear Sreeparna for your tiny bundle of joy. The year was tough for all but still as many if us found way out to make peace with our own choice. You’re a planner, that stole my heart. Once I was like you, too. I send my love and loads of hugs and kisses to our cutiee Sampurno. Thank you for joining us in the blog hop. I am grateful to you. Wish you a great 2021 ahead. Best wishes dear.
I was a planner Swarnali but these days I am afraid to plan anything. But yes I found my tranquility amidst the great chaos
Heartiest congratulations Sreeparna, for your bundle of joy! So happy to know things finally fell in place. It must have been extremely difficult and I can completely relate to the anticipations and anxieties you must’ve gone through. My sister also gave birth to her lovely daughter under similar circumstances.
I am so happy for you, wishing you all the very best of health, happiness, and prosperity!
Thank you so much and convey my congrats to your sister too… Happy new year
Congratulations for your sweet little one, Sreeparna! This year has been challenging for many of us, but it is a very special year of learnings all the same. Glad to know everything turned out fine. Wishing you lots of love and happiness for 2021. ❤
Thank you so much
We can only think about the level of anxiety you must have gone through during those tough times. Let me congratulate you many times for your positive attitude that kept you going even in the adverse situations.
And the biggest of all, lots of blessings for your little bundle of joy. May you be showered with God’s choicest blessings in the coming year.
Firstly my best wishes for your New phase of life and a part of my heart for your cute little Man.. and as they say, “happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.”
Wish you a great year ahead and I also wish we get to hear some lovely storyies of our little Man.
The level of anxiety was high but yes it prepared me for all the upcoming years I guess. Thank you
We sailed on the same boat it seems Sreeparna The only difference is, that I am blessed with a baby girl I have lived almost every moment you’ve shared and can say that this is only a jist of what you actually felt. Lots of love to the l’ll munchkin! Stay safe
Congratulations 🙂
Above all else, that should be the word you focus on. This was a difficult year and you made it through and brought a new life and hope into the world. Rejoice in that.
Thank you so much @pythoroshan.
Congratulations on your little bundle of joy. You can well understand the situation.
Undoubtedly yes
Congratulations, Sreeparna. Baby brings lot of happiness and at the same time increases responsibilities too. This year has been tough, glad we all fought our own battels and sailed through it.
Thank you so much
Heartiest Congratulations on the new bundle of joy, Sreeparna. This year has been really tough and yes absolutely life has its own plan and we learn the lesson only when we go through such thought provoking moments. We all live life and experience it differently. God bless you and all your family .Have a fantastic New year 2021 ahead.
First of all, many many congratulations for your bundle of joy . However be the year 2020 or whatever it may stand for…. All’s well that ends well . For you the year 2020 will always carry special memories and that’s what Counts in the end. All the best for the rollercoaster and unmatched ride of motherhood. Enjoy and cherish the moments of the ride
Aww congratulations on the baby I’m sure it has been a joyous and tiring ride. But 2020 for you is the year of the bundle of sunshine you birthed. Mark it for that and you’re good!
Congratulations on your bundle of joy. Its true God has his own plans, and even though we are not able to appreciate then, sooner or later we realise his plans are best.
Lovely to know of your journey and many congratulations on the bundle of joy in your life. Staying alone in the hospital with a little child that too with a c section must have been tough but you wrote about it with such grace.
Best wishes
Deepika
O I loved these coo’s and cries!! The little bundle of joy is definitely the best reason to rejoice and mar all the negativities of 2020! You’re a splendid writer and I’m a great fan of your affluent pen. Your post was lovable and oozing with sweet achievements my lots of love to the little superstar!!
Well said Sreeparna, sometimes interruption is necessary for something good to start. also life has its own plans that we can’t get hold on it, glad to know even after thousands of hindrances you two managed to live happily and healthily those days, many congratulations for the new cute addition to your family.
All’s well that ends well, i would say! Glad you and your bundle of joy are doing well. Wishing you all a Fabulous 2021!
Great. Cherish all the good memories of this year and let’s hope for a very much better years ahead.
Congratulations dear for your little bundle of joy. And kudos to your positive spirit! It was wonderful reading about your experience. Wish you a fabulous 2021. Take care
First of all congratulations! Its great to know that your stressful moments are passed now. Hope you will have a great year ahead…
I love how you correlated distractions as a Mom and a survivor of 2020
Congratulations!! Sreeparna. I too have a school friend with the same name and she helped me a lot during my delivery as a doctor. Enjoy motherhood with ur bundle of joy. Happy parenting and wishing you all the happiness for 2021.
Congratulations Sreeparna on your new bundle of joy! Loved the way you embraced the uncertainity and chaoes during your delivery time, inspite of the fact that you are a planner. Wish you a very Happy New Year and enjoy the Parenting your little bundle along with the big brother
Thank you so much…