Love at best - The Prequel !!

If you read the previous post, you probably had a good laugh at my expense.

There is more to it than meets the nose!

Last weekend we were at the local temple. We apply ash or vermillion(kumkum) on our forehead when we go into the temple as a mark of respect for the gods.

Both Jr. and the little one usually insist on "myself Daddy.. MYSELF!". In other words, they would like to dip their finger into the ash or vermillion(kumkum) bowl and apply it on their own forehead. Add to it the fact that the little one is a blankie baby and she will smear the stuff on her forehead as well as on any adult who makes the mistake of carrying her while inside the temple.

If you see an Indian family driving back from Livermore with all their faces painted like Circus clowns in red and white, it is probably ours!

Now, back to last weekends events. Just as we were about to leave the temple, the little one saw her reflection on the van window!. She was running low on ash! and started throwing a tantrum outside the temple.

" I want to go back in and get more reevudhi! (kidspeak for sacred ash)" she cried. In an attempt to avoid her making a racket inside the temple, I gave her some of the Kumkum and ash from my forehead!

She gave me a kiss and a big hug and promptly rubbed it all back on my T-shirt.

Only yesterday we had this flashback and realized why she thought it was a loving gesture to transfer vicks to my nose.

Daddy transfers ash and kumkum.. baby transfers vicks and mucous! We are even!

Now we need to have a "kumkum transfer = good, vicks transfer = bad" conversation. It may be beyond my capability to explain that or beyond hers to understand!

We will see....

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