I’m feeling extra nostalgic as I’m sitting here, reading through all the old posts I wrote about my nephew, Veer.
He is the first grandkid of our family. And, while we love every other kid that’s come after him, he holds a special place in our heart because he was the first.
The entire cousin crew could probably tell you the exact place we were standing, the exact outfit we were wearing, the exact thing we were doing when we found out that Veer was born 9 years ago.
For me, I was up at camp. Wearing my kitchen staff uniform. Trying so desperately to get service on my cell phone to see all the messages come through.
I remember feeling such a rush of excitement. My nephew was finally here. Our sweet little smushy baby that had no freaking idea how much he was already loved.
In the first two years of his life, Bhaiya and Bhabhi and our smush moved from Cooperstown to San Antonio to California. I was fortunate to get to visit him in San Antonio. But I was even more fortunate to get to be NorCal neighbors with them when they first moved to the Bay Area. (Not quite neighbors, but if your one and only nephew lives only an hour away, you can bet that you would hop on over every free weekend you got).
I got to be there for so many firsts. I got to watch him take in the world with bright eyes and a curious mind.
He taught me how to slow down. To literally stop and smell the roses. He taught me how to speed up. And find joy in running around in circles in the living room (and you can bet that this sneaky Bua put her FitBit on his little diaper to up her step count).
Eeven though I’ve moved away and I’m not able to see him as often as I used to, I still have this Veer-shaped corner in my heart that only he can occupy.
Over the years, he’s developed into such an incredible big brother to all the little ones of the family. He’s shown them what it’s like to take deep belly breaths to calm down, to work persistently on things you care about, and to ask questions to better understand the world we live in. But he’s also taught them how to play Nintendo Switch, how to have epic dance parties, and how to really enjoy life in the best possible way.
I am filled with so much gratitude to know that Ishaan has this amazing role model and big brother to look up to for the rest of his life.
Happy birthday to our 9-year-old Veer “The OG Smush” Bhaiya. It’s a lot of pressure being such an important person in the family but you handle it beautifully. We love you and admire you today and every day.
Div, this is so beautiful and so touching! Thank you so much for this lovely post about Veer. I love your bond with him.
Love it Divbu, you say everything so beautifully.
The whole scene as you reflect upon it becomes so real – it is as if we are there watching you as you sneakily “put your Fitbit on his little diaper to up your step count” 😂🤗
Veer – our genius kid, we admire you so much!
Happy birthday dearest – have an amazing year (final single digit)
& soon it will be ten & then teen & then busy between (this&that)!!!
Lotsa love
CHOTI DADI NY