Goa Diary: 25th Aug

Patches of heart got burnt and patches of my soul froze today, listening to Fatima telling about some of the Childline cases. Some of the stories made my stomach turn with utter disgust. Too painful to recollect.

Made bhindi-bhaaji today with tamarind and chicken masala. Actually turned out nice.

Started a chain bedtime story for Elaine, Frida and Gavin; "Swolly and the Barbie". I love these kids already. I am starting to believe that sometimes randomness puts you right in middle of things you would've never known but you most definitely needed to know. 

But there is a silent calmness about me today. Probably, because of the experience at the Children Court today. Plus, watching Iona bringing up three kids independently makes me wonder if parenting isn't  the most difficult yet kickass thing in life. It teaches you everything, child psychology, patience, cooking, story-telling, getting up early; managing time, multitasking, budgeting (better than the most successful entrepreneurs); appreciating the simple things (baby snails, thermocol soup, pogo cartoons etc. ); in Iona's case : even plumbing. electrician jobs, bank jobs, driving/riding, shopping; in short how to do a man's job better than the man and how to rise to the occasion and focus on solution rather than the problem.