That was my attempt at a play on words, celebrating Deepwali or Diwali, the Festival of Lights, had me reflecting on the quick pace of the year. Change in job, kids got to travel abroad multiple times this year (from 0 to 6 in one year!), we are minding our carbon footprint more aggressively now (yes we will likely cut travel due to this), and massive emotional developments as they enter 4th and pre-K4.

The second child really forces you to reflect on how you either didn’t do it right with the first, or how different two little blastulas can develop.

Just pausing to see their personalities, how wonderful they are, and how smart they have become always makes me smile. I don’t know if it’s incremental investment that has paid off, or if it’s the schools, or if it’s all of the above-but truly enjoying it.

The travels have been tough given their burgeoning needs for space and ego, but they remain steadfast in semi ok behavior.

Now that I’m fully remote, I get to enjoy them much more. Except for weeks where my office is like this…

I do think the space is needed though, a little too much Dad can be a lot for them.

As we dive into tween years for the older one, we have remained strong in maintaining the need for music and other activities. He would rather play Fortnite and socialize with his friends on the basketball court; even drop out of school for a shot at the nba. But inspite of the tears, we persist on the basics: music, math, reading, and a love of art (in whatever dimension that is expressed).