November 30, 2018

In the southern part of the Netherlands, Maastricht a city with academic activity. The city is gearing up for the big celebration before Christmas, Santa Claus day on the 5th of December. It's cold, rainy and windy. The wind makes the weather feel a lot colder than the 10 degrees centigrade that the smartphone announces. I took a selfie (what I call the lowest point of human civilization at this point in time). I do sport a smile, but is that weariness in the eye? Or is that a wave of sadness that seems to have swept through?
I for one have always been there for any important milestones for my kids - big or small. Right from the moment they were born to their first step to their first day to school to their sports competitions to their PTM to their injuries and fights. I had spoken to the kids a couple of hours ago and having seen their energy on the video call sapped a little bit of my energy, though I wouldn't show it to them.
I am in Maastricht for a conference on pediatric sedation and analgesia - the first ever European conference. The two days were eventful with a lot of meetings and learning. Served our organization well as we were there on the behest of a client. A month ago when us being there was confirmed, I had to go as other events in the team members' lives meant they couldn't travel.
I come home and tell the kids that I will be heading to a country that I haven't been to before. The son asks when would that be. I mention the dates and before even I finished my words realized that it clashes with their annual day. And to make matters worse both of them are performing. My heart sinks and I start apologizing to them. The six year old girl immediately says, "Papa, don't worry, we will have drones recording the event and you can watch it on the CD."
Children indeed are the father of men... I will indeed watch the CD, but will I ever learn the pragmatism that my six year old has?
Back in Maastricht and on the train to Brussels airport, a smile on my face again, but the sadness and weariness return to the eyes.

In the southern part of the Netherlands, Maastricht a city with academic activity. The city is gearing up for the big celebration before Christmas, Santa Claus day on the 5th of December. It's cold, rainy and windy. The wind makes the weather feel a lot colder than the 10 degrees centigrade that the smartphone announces. I took a selfie (what I call the lowest point of human civilization at this point in time). I do sport a smile, but is that weariness in the eye? Or is that a wave of sadness that seems to have swept through?
I for one have always been there for any important milestones for my kids - big or small. Right from the moment they were born to their first step to their first day to school to their sports competitions to their PTM to their injuries and fights. I had spoken to the kids a couple of hours ago and having seen their energy on the video call sapped a little bit of my energy, though I wouldn't show it to them.
I am in Maastricht for a conference on pediatric sedation and analgesia - the first ever European conference. The two days were eventful with a lot of meetings and learning. Served our organization well as we were there on the behest of a client. A month ago when us being there was confirmed, I had to go as other events in the team members' lives meant they couldn't travel.
I come home and tell the kids that I will be heading to a country that I haven't been to before. The son asks when would that be. I mention the dates and before even I finished my words realized that it clashes with their annual day. And to make matters worse both of them are performing. My heart sinks and I start apologizing to them. The six year old girl immediately says, "Papa, don't worry, we will have drones recording the event and you can watch it on the CD."
Children indeed are the father of men... I will indeed watch the CD, but will I ever learn the pragmatism that my six year old has?
Back in Maastricht and on the train to Brussels airport, a smile on my face again, but the sadness and weariness return to the eyes.
