Est modus in rebus

Just a tiny one about godchildren, because I’ve been all abuzz

with godchild stuff recently, and it puts a smile on me face.

This one’s specially for my friends who are godparents,

and my friends who are parents of the children we can’t help

but adore!

 

Doesn’t it sound like such a powerful word? God child.

Godfather. Godmother. 

The practice of naming a godparent for one’s child started in

the Christian faith, when another person trusted by the parents

serves as a sponsor at the baby’s baptism.

These days, it’s more often than not a grand gesture of friendship or trust.

People usually pick their closest, best friends or those they

trust to be their child’s godparent.

I was honored to be asked by Jasbir & Sharm (both I work/ed with)

to be their first born’s godmother, and it’s been about 3 years

now since I first held him in my arms at the hospital.

Frankly, I considered myself somewhat of an ‘outsider’ in their lives

before this (though they were my friends, of course),

but now I think of them as family.

I’m also basically doing double duty I guess with his kid brother,

Arjen. (Jasbir says it’s a “two in one deal”, and I’m like “not if

you have a lot more children man!!” LOL)

 

 

I didn’t have any concept of godparenting until Jasbir told

me those years ago when he asked because he looked me in the eye

and said it was something he viewed as special and meaningful,

that I would be part of his child’s life and be there during special

occasions. 

I sort of did a double blink because I then understood there would

be responsibilities, and that he took it very seriously, and that

this meant I was doubly touched that he & Sharm were giving me this

honour. 

For many, naming the godparent is more of symbolic thing,

and it is more about them saying to their best friends

 ”It couldn’t have been anybody else but you”.

 

I think it is the grandest and most meaningful of gestures, really.

What does one have to do as a godparent? 

I don’t think there any hard and fast rules.  

Often new parents are

so consumed by the nitty gritties of being new parents anyway,

so it is their own special time. No point coming everyday being all up

in their face!

Some godparents I know are also far away or very busy, which

cannot be helped – I don’t think it’s as meaningful if godparents

feel they are all pressured to meet their godchildren, for example,

how terrible would it be for your godchild to only remember

how tired, stressed or frazzled you are?

When I was in London last year I remember getting a little

worried that Ro would forget me (from the delicate years of 3 to 6

they’ll forget you fast because they are sifting through a lot

of information & will forget you if necessary!) so I er … sent his 

parents this. (Don’t laugh)

 

 

And as the child grows older, it would be best of course, to keep on

introducing your face so they recognise it as one that will be

around for them. 

Like all godparents I know, it’s such a joy to see our godchildren

slowly blossom, from the lil furballs they were to the little handsome

boys or beautiful girls they now.

Imagine, if we already say “Oh, how fast

they grow!”, what their parents must feel … *sigh*

To all parents who have friends who are godparents to their kids,

I’d like to say (on our behalves) sorry if we are often busy, but it’s not

like we don’t care, because we so do!  

I have flashes of Ro every so often, and wonder what

he is doing or up to.

 

 

 

Rohan took a while before he really warmed up to the Auntie Laych

concept, but now he’s so comfortable he has progressed from

semi-shy to curious, to wants-to-hold-my-hand, to wants-to-ride-

in-my-car, to big hugs when we say hello … and most recently..

the kiddo even complimented me the other day, a first!

“You are pretty like my girlfriend, Auntie Laych”, he said, out

of nowhere.

 WAH! A compliment from a three-year-old?

What a pleasure to hear, and ain’t that a heartbreaker

in the making?! LOL

I’m going to have to crank up the lessons so he’ll do much

better than “Heyy, How yooo doooinn?” or

“Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?” for pick up lines

next time, hah!

 

 

In the car the other day, just the two of us, I asked him

do you know why I am your godmother, Ro?

“Why?”

“Because I will be here for you so we can talk about anything

you want next time, and you can ask me questions, and I will

tell you stories, many wonderful stories. Would you like that?”

 

“Yes,” he said, with his big eyes and little cheeky grin.

 

And that’s all I need to think of and smile.