I am thankful for...

Hubby makes a moot point that I am forever complainative. That I can complain about everything. Even about the choices that I have made myself.

So let me put the record straight and put down in writing the things I am thankful for.

Healthy Happy Son:
Thank You God for a child that is healthy and happy. So he's a little late on the talking milestone. But he blabbers and says a number of words. And its a start. I keep hoping and praying that he will gush out soon.

Transparent Husband:
Who cant keep any secrets from me. Though I love to be surprised with lil stuff - and he just cant make that happen. But at least there are no shocks that he has in store for me.

Comfortable Life:
O it is more than comfortable. Yes, in the last year and half we've traveled like crazy but its tapering off now. And wherever we've traveled we've always stayed more than comfortably. And i got to see the world and stay in so many different places.

Easy Life:
No matter how much I complain about Riyadh and its twisted rules, life sure is simple there. I have a maid to do housekeeping. I have another lady ready to do cooking for me (though I havent fallen for that yet). Every other day, I get asked if I need someone to care for the lil patch of garden I have or to wash hubby's car or to babysit sonny. And all these services are so damn cheap - it takes guts of iron to say 'no thank you, I can manage'.

Cool In-laws:
I am such a 'jhalli' - and I really dont know of an apt English translation of that word. I think simplistic would be the positive spin on it. And they've just taken me as I am. My un-co-ordinated stuff, my lack of cooking skills, my laid-back approach to stuff. And yet they've just showered so much love and affection on me. My father-in-law makes sure I have my chaat-sessions (bhel puri, paani puri, dahi puri - the works) every time I am here. Mom-in-law bares her wardrobe for me to pinch clothes from. This one I am truly truly eternally grateful to God for.

Most loving friends:
I am so laid-back that if it werent for C and M - my closest buddies, knocking me on my head every few days with a mail or phone call or patiently waiting for me to get back - I would have lost them forever. And really they my most treasured finds. Thank you God for them and keep them safe.

My blog pals:
I was lonely and friendless in the cold of Boston. I created a blog and so many delightful moms (and non moms) showed up. Some giving me guidance. Some re-assurance. Some stating facts that I really ought to have seen. Some laughing at my bumbling efforts at being a mom. And some dropping a line or two asking me where I have been, if I havent posted for a while. Thank you God for these wonderful women (and the odd man or two).

My parents:
They've always given me the ample space I've needed - and the advice. Never interfered in my married life or in my motherhood efforts. Always asking if I'm happy. Always praying for me. Thank You God for them.

Being a Mother:
It was never planned and I have complained non-stop through it. The breast-feeding problems, the unslept nights, the unwashed hair and the stretch marks, the aches and pains....they've all been complained for and yet the end result has been loved and cherished. Thank you God for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

My Extended Family:
Sisters in law who are more sisters than in laws, cousins who I've spent so many unproductive evenings with, cousins who I went shopping with, uncles who know of my every like and dislike, aunts who still remember that I love their achars, a grandmom who still calls me 'baby', for all of them - I thank you God. So there were a few nasty aunts, a few khadoos uncles, well - they made the others seem good by contrast :)

And now that I think about it - I want to thank God for every little obstacle, every little twist he put in my life. Because with all of them, inspite of all of them, my life really is not worth complaining about.