Since the last ten days, I have embarked on one of my missioins to lose weight. And this time between fasting twice a week and some yoga, I managed to lose a couple of kilos. My children though are not very happy with this. My son aged 7, holding my well cushioned arm, says “Mumma, stop dieting, I can feel your bones. I don’t want you to become thin. I like you fat”. My daughter, nearing teenage, also echoes the same sentiments. For them I am like this big comfortable teddy bear, who they can cosily snuggle against and one who gives them the best bear hugs in the world. Before sleeping hugging my kids is almost like a prayer, a must-do thing. If not my son comes to me before sleeping saying, “Huggie me Huggie me!”

The siblings normally sleep together in their room, from Monday to Friday, but on the condition that weekends are with us.  And no amount of cajoling will keep them away ( in case my hubby and I plan to do some nookie together). If so then we have to promise them an extra night in our room.

So come Saturday night and Mumma (that’s me) becomes someone to be fought over. Both my kids fight with each other for sleeping next to me in my arms. And my poor lonely hubby shifts to the mattress on the floor, (feeling partly sorry for himself, requesting me to come and give him a snuggle in the middle of the night.).

Sometimes the kids have mercy on him and so one of them decides that the other should give him company, saying, “Poor papa, he must be feeling very lonely, he will cry, why don’t you go and sleep next to him?”, says brother to sister and sister to brother. If one of them finally sleeps with their dad, he considers himself lucky.

But the best part is when they all pile on me on our 5 x 6 bed. My daughter sleeps on one of my arms and husband on another and my son sleeps on top of me, saying, “We are one big happy family”.

That is when I really feel loved and wanted.

That is when I feel terribly happy and satisfied.

And that is when I know that I am the wealthiest woman on this planet.