主播大秀

Writer and Musician, Jahnavi Harrison:

听

Chris I鈥檓 in danger of getting sentimental on the radio this morning because one fateful night three months ago, I transformed into something I thought I鈥檇 never be: one of those people who whips out their phone at every opportunity to show you the daily videos of the baby in their life.

听

Cute once or twice - but after a while鈥�I see the forced smiles appear on people鈥檚 faces - but I just can鈥檛 seem to help myself!

听

I used to find it a bit tiresome too - especially in these days of smartphones and instant messaging, the incredibly detailed way many parents document every gurgle and wobbly step is intimidating.听 But I have to say - times have changed - I kind of get it - for the first time I am a proud auntie of a beautiful little boy, and every day brings new and exciting growth and change in his life.

听

I was present for his birth and got to help my sister through it. At 4.24am he made his grand appearance, all slippery and mottled. Not surprisingly, we all burst into tears. A few minutes later we sang prayers to the saints and great teachers of the Hare Krishna tradition - with the hope that he鈥檒l be blessed in his life - not only with material success, but deep spiritual insight and wisdom.

听

Most religions of the East believe in reincarnation - that this life is part of a continuum of lives in which we鈥檙e hopefully learning and evolving. So birth isn鈥檛 seen as a totally new beginning, but as a continuation. Parents and other family members see themselves as caregivers who can only do their best to ferry this living being through their next chapter - the good, the bad and all the sweet and sour in-between.听

听

I look at my nephew and I wonder what he has come to teach me, and how I can serve him this life.听 I haven鈥檛 had to go through the pain and sleepless nights that my sister has, but I feel a deep bond and a very sweet responsibility toward him. For that happy burden, I鈥檓 truly grateful.