Letters To Koko

  Dearest Koko,  There was a time when birthdays meant one day when you could do almost anything. Do what you want, go where you feel like, jump on the couch, sing out loud – literally anything that you want. There had to be a grand birthday cake, and streamers and balloons, some friends have to come over, some party games would be fun More than the birthday itself, just planning it would be so much fun. You and I would contemplate a million themes, then buy the party favors, get the decorations in place. Last year when you turned 5, I was really looking forward to that milestone birthday. Like I have said before, your birthday is not just a special day for you, but also for me. It is after all a sign that I have been at this job for these many years and not being completely hopeless at it. Also, right after your birthday, my birthday comes. Generally, I always take a leave on my birthday, watch a movie go out shopping. Last year I hadn’t – what’s the point? There’s nowhere to...

Dear Koko, I have been highly irregular, but then life has been highly irregular the last couple of months - no about a year now?  I am sorry you had to see all this now. Now when you should be going to school and filling up your pocket with sand and share everything with your friends. Instead we are teaching you to be wary of people, stay away from them, not shake hands, not hug, not share. What a strange world it is! The other day I was telling you to sit and complete your homework. I know homework is such a chore for you. You don't want to do it. You'd rather watch TV and play video games. I used to get very irate initially (full disclosure - I still do) when I'd want you to read and paint and you sneak out for some TV time.  I think to myself, watching so much TV will fry your brain. But then wouldn't this crazy loneliness too? This weird time when both parents are home but hey can't give you focused attention for whatever reason (work mostly, or their own sanit...

Oh dear dear Koko, This year has turned out to be the worst, hasn’t it. It’s been a fair amount of time that I have written to you too. Blame it on the blur that time has been this year. The year practically whizzed past, except the times when it wasn’t trudging along in a never ending repetition of eat, sleep, cook, clean. I cannot remember how August was different from September except for the fact that we are now working from Kolkata instead of Bangalore. Yes, we have been here for some weeks now (months maybe, yeas it’s already November!). Perhaps, many years later, you won’t remember this long vacation (let’s be honest, these online classes are not half as much fun/work as school). However, this will be the longest vacation that you are getting. Truth be told, I am kind of getting a vacation feel myself. I have been told that I have become irregular with my letters to you. It’s true, sometimes I just happen to prioritise other things - it’s not fair, not right on my part etcetera,...

Dearest Koko, These are really strange times that we are living in. I am both happy and sad that you have to witness this at such a tender age. A new virus has decided to stake claim upon this world and it is not sparing anyone. The COVID is what humanity’s worst nightmare is made up of. A lot of people have lost their lives already and we do not have a cure for it yet. The WHO have declared it as a pandemic and people around the world are very scared. So are you, my little human and there is nothing wrong in being a little scared. At these times, being scared is perhaps the most legit feeling ever. As we are quarantined and trying to make sense of this weirdness, something beautiful is also happening. Neighbors are chitchatting and actually asking about one another’s well being, family and friends are making time to call each other and have conversations, people are dusting their old guitars and breaking into a tune, some are painting or trying out origami, the waft of ...