Doting on daughters

Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Celebrating togetherness Darling of the family

A pair of small, tender hands gingerly clings to your little finger. You check if the badge, pig tails, pinafore, bloomers, school bag, food basket, et al are in place for her first day at school.

Just as the bell rings and you loosen grasp, your tiny tot tightens her hold. Smiling, you get down on your knees explaining to her that she would learn to love school soon enough, as hot tears start streaming down from her enormous brown eyes…

Seemingly few moments later, tucked proudly into your arm is the slender arm of a beautiful, graceful and poised young woman, in a flawless white wedding gown. You march up the aisle to give her hand away in marriage to the smart young man standing at the altar. This time it is your grasp that tightens. With flushed cheeks, you fight the moisture in your eyes while your ‘little’ girl pats your hand reassuringly...

Daughter. Mama’s precious princess. And daddy’s little angel. Yet, in our country foetal sex determination is illegal because of the ‘stigma’ associated with bearing a female child and the possibility of resultant female infanticide; dowry deaths continue. Comfortingly, we have a day dedicated to daughters — to celebrate the joy they add to our lives.

Alice Leen Jacob, who was adopted when she was just seven months old, recounts how her parents described the day she became a part of the family: “A cute little seven-month-old baby girl, standing up holding the wooden bar of the cradle and smiling at us in a wet diaper” — a ‘sight’ they took home, and affectionately nurtured for the rest of their lives!

Alice, who now has as an 18-year-old daughter Jilz and two younger sons, says: “Raising a daughter is an infinite gift. Sons are a great asset too, but there sure is something sweet and special about having daughters!”

She adds that being just 19 years old herself when Jilz was born, their relationship is more like that of sisters or friends. “We fight, joke, dance, and shop together, and enjoy every moment!”

Jilz, studying in New Zealand, is all praise for her parents. “Being the only girl, I’ve always enjoyed being ‘special’. But for their love, I wouldn’t be as strong a personality — independent and committed to the goals I’ve set for myself!”

Lisa Almeida, who’s been in the hotel industry in Australia for the last few years, recalls her mom’s words: “I’ve been blessed twice. Never would I have traded my daughters for a son; they are my pride and joy.”

“As a daughter, getting into disagreements is part of the job description,” giggles Anupama Sebastian, 18, in a medical school, the U.S. “But as parents and children grow, mature and learn from each other’s mistakes, everything becomes easier.”

If you have a daughter, today is as good as any other to let her know how special she is.

And if you are a daughter, here is to many more years of love and laughter you effortlessly bring to your families.

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