Teaching Courage - the Grand Father way

The only way to overcome fear is to face it. This was my Father's mantra for my Sister & I. AND for sure He wanted the legacy of No Fear to pass on to the next generation as well. Every opportunity is well utilized since Her birth. When She was struggling to sit, She would fall, we would watch but offer no help. She learned to sit on Her own in a day. She wanted to stand & fell down in doing so for two days. Again, we watched but offered no help. She took the first baby steps & we watched Her fall, rise to Her feet & walk everywhere.

She often hurts Her head against the low lying cot, the chair & we just ignore. There were instances when She would fall & we would rush to Her help & precisely when She would start crying. However, when we ignored, She would rise, rub the head & continue playing. When She started to climb the stairs we were worried about Her safety, but watching Her little hands hold the grills tight, We knew She would be careful. Two days ago, in excitement to greet my neighbor, She jumped and fell down two stairs with a good bump on Her forehead. I was quick to lift Her and rub the forehead & Her cry lasted for a few seconds. When I told this to Her Grand Father, His response was "She will not jump the next time". She was 12months old when I took Her alone without any support on my bike & today She confidently sits on the bike & even stands on the Activa & roams around with Her Grand Father.

This photograph was taken at Hebbale (Her Great Grand Father's birth place) where river Hemavathi flows in full might. Saakshi was 11 & 1/2 months old. She played in the river with Her Grand Father for a good hour & as we were taught, we knew if She was enjoying, nothing to worry about Her health.

Thanks Dad for teaching courage the practical way & in days to come Saakshi would be proud of the lessons taught !