Cheery me!

Yesterday Vinod caught me smiling at myself in front of the mirror - not once, but twice. "What's wrong with you?" he wanted to know. Yeah, all was well at home as long as I was grumbling and scowling. I didnt have the time or inclination to smile at anybody else, let alone myself. So he had a reason to be suspicious.
It must be the BP tablets, I tell him. I feel a bit more relaxed now. Ash's tantrums doesnt make me feel agitated so much now.
But I wonder how my aunt, who came down yesterday from Nigeria, is taking it. I was very embarrassed until she told me today morning that her son had been like this until he was some 7 years old. (Renjith, are u listening?) She tells me that boys are like this. I still remember my aunt whacking her son for not eating when he was Ash's age.
She happens to be one of my favorite memories of my childhood. I still remember eating from her plate or her making balls of rice for me to eat. I call her kochammama (little aunt) and she was there at home the first three years of my life - then she got married. She was probably at home a few years later too, because she used to take me by bus to the primary school I joined in Class 1. I used to cry myself hoarse when she dropped me and went off home.
And today, I had my kids going up to her to brush them, feed them etc. Mira, who generally doesnt go to strangers, seems to have taken to her right from the beginning - blood is thicker than water, I must say.

p.s. I know what you will say: "Ahem, another picture of Mira." But she likes to pose, whereas Ash likes to be behind the camera - to see the images on the camera screen. Maybe someday he will become a cinematographer/director?