Feb 14, 2010
 
In this edition, we shall meet Vanessa Valentina Lobo and we will wish her a very happy fifth (yes, Vanessa is only five years old) birthday.
 
In this article which is titled "This is It" Vanessa pens down her thoughts from the time she was born till this date. The thoughts are the culmination of what the little girl has heard from her mother and her family members. It notes the pride of being born on Valentine's day and being the first girl child in her dad's family after 31 years, to the disappointment of not having parents around at some of her birthdays and to the gratitude to the grandma and grandpa and her nanny who she lovingly calls "Akka" for having taken good care of her as a little baby.
 
I am so proud of having the privilege of publishing this column on Vanessa Valentina's birthday, and I am hoping this will be an additional surprise for her. Thanks Daijiworld.
 
God Bless You Vanessa.
 
Sophia Rodrigues
Editor - Kids Arena

'This is It'

by Vanessa Valentina Lobo

The year 2005 was a very memorable one for the Lobos. It was the year when the dream of my grandparents, uncles, aunts and all my family members, specially my Mum and Dad, came true. Their union through the sacrament of Matrimony was blessed with the birth of a baby. It was a special day – a day that symbolized love – February 14, 2005. That was the day I was born

I’m so proud that I was born on Valentine’s Day. And I am doubly proud because I am the first girl child born in this Lobo family after 31 years. After my aunt was born 31 years ago, it was my dad, his three cousins and then my six cousins and then it was me. I can’t imagine that a welcome I received when I was born.

I was wrapped with warm clothes and my dad was proudly distributing “jilebis” which is a sweet specially distributed when a baby girl is born. Mum was still in the I.C.U as she had undergone a Caesarean. Relatives and friends started visiting me at the hospital. I could see the happiness in all who came to visit me. My dad was wide awake the whole night as Mum was not with me and I could literally see happiness and joy on my Dad’s face.

Hospital staff had already named me “Valentina”.  My parents lovingly named me “Vanessa”. After I came home from the hospital my Mum and I had to stay in my maternal grandparents home as per tradition. We lived stayed there for 40 days, they used to massage me with oil and give me bath with hot water. My mum was extra cautious and always saw that I was not hurt while they massaged me. After 40 days I came to my paternal grandparents home .Those were the happy days as my parents excitedly watched every new move of mine.

When I was six months old, my Mum and Dad left me with my paternal grandparents and came to the UAE to earn their livelihood .From that day my Abba and Mai were my second parents along with my “Lila Akka” who would take care of me in the absence of my grandmother. My grandparents has their own business and to ensure at least one of them was always around with me, my Abba would working in the morning and my Mai would go to the shop in the afternoon. My Mai and Akka sacrificed so many sleepless nights for me.

My parents came to India for my first birthday. It was celebrated in a grand style but after a month it was again a sad day because my parents had to leave to return to the UAE. I still remember my mum and dad crying but at that time I was too small and did not understand. Days and then a year passed and it was my second birthday. This time my parents could not come but my Abba and Mai has a good celebration for me.  My third birthday celebration was with my parents and the fourth was again without them.

Today, I am celebrating my fifth birthday and I am overjoyed because I am with my parents in the UAE. While I miss my grandparents on this day, I am also happy as I am celebrating my birthday in my new school along with my new classmates. I have joined a new school, I have a caring class teacher, and a supervisor who is always supportive. Most of all, I have my mum’s love and warmth which I was missing all these years. My parents are making sure that I get the best of the best and my Mum helps me with my school work.

There’s another secret which I must share. My Mum’s grandmother, that is, my great grandmother had celebrated her 84th birthday in 2005 .I’m proud that we both share the same birthday. I’m looking forward to many more exciting and joyful birthdays with my near and dear ones.

Do remember me in your prayers. 

Note to the readers:

 Kids Arena column open for below 18-year-old. You can send your articles, stories, poems, or any creatives along with your brief introduction and picture to below email:

kids@daijiworld.com

Earlier articles:

• Courageous Uncle Batman..- by Caroline D'Souza
• Scaling Mount Sinai - by Froila D'Souza
• Football (Poem) - by Dillon Monis UK
• My dream House - by Shirley Caroline
• Summer Holidays...- by Piyali Attavar.
• My Mangalore Trips - by Veruska Shetty Auckland
• One of the Hardest of 'Em all..- by Eric D'Souza
• Kids Arena : Share Your Thoughts with Our Readers...