Tiffin

One of the joys of being a Dad is packing the tiffin for Asha and Enoch each day. Most days its pretty simple - a sandwich or two - some biscuits perhaps - the odd banana - maybe a pancake left over from breakfast.

But today I had the joy of putting in two hot idlis and some fresh coconut + peanut chutney. Thanks to Sheba's hard work the kids had a royal treat. I added a chocolate each that their Uncle Peter had sent from Kenya.


There is so much joy in small things. In being able to be part of our children's lives as they grow and develop. In the pleasure of food and books and word games. In reading the Bible together and discussing what it means. In the games and shows that they put on for us.

The sad part is how the 'grown-up' flaws of worry and irritability seep in at times. We mess up - and then fess up. God is very very good at forgiving us.

One of the greatest blessings we have as a family is to be so close to our workplace - and to be able to be so flexible with how we structure the work - and to have children who so lovingly participate in their own ways with what Mummy and Daddy are doing.

With the kids having afternoon school - I am at the office by 8 AM and come back by 11 AM. Sheba is in the clinic from 11 AM to 3 PM. I am with the kids till they get their bus at 12.30 PM before rejoining the office. Then we come back at 6 PM and are there when the school bus brings Asha and Enoch back at 6.30. An amazing blessing - for one of us parents to be with our children the whole time outside their school hours!

And so the joys of making 'tiffins' - of ironing school uniforms - of seeing Asha do her violin practice and Enoch his keyboard exercises - of eating lunch together and washing up quickly before the bus comes down stairs. Of polishing shoes and praying and seeing them in the bus and off to their school day.

Having been a person who has never fantasized about what the future will hold - esp. about how my family will be - I can only say that it is a voyage of wonder to be with our two. Sheba and I are deeply grateful for these days. Long may they last!