My Median Daughter Dreams

by Nayan Rath

As a kid, I had a deep fear of insecurities and was breaking my head to be a perfectionist. While unleashing this impulse, I tried to manage my world efficiently to ensure my acceptance in society. Success hugged me in a decent career and comfortable life. I was happy outwardly but got exhausted inside. Gradually I learned to unfollow the stigmas of society and be on a mission to simplify my and my child’s life and untangle our happiness. I distanced myself from not judging others or being judged. I let my child live her dreams with lesser boundaries. Both of us practice valuing our self-worth more than others’ feedback. Since I was good at studies, the Society’s Thumb Rule stipulates that my daughter needs to be a bright girl. I often got asked at my office, ‘your daughter must be very good at studies.’ I usually paused, thinking, ‘Is the matter worth responding to.’ Then I responded then react, saying hesitantly, ‘No, she is not. She is an average learner. I am the mother of a median daughter, being proud of her innocence. In one music competition at her school, she did not qualify. Back home, she put herself on the bed slightly down. I went to her and patted her. “What’s up Darling?” She got up and composed herself. Hugging me and said “Nothing Ma. You know Ruchika? She is selected. Rich did better than me. Rich is rich.” I clapped so hard because I was stunned by how seamlessly a twelve-year-old child rationalized her feelings and accepted them. While all her friends are busy dreaming of being doctors, engineers, or a scientist, my daughter talks about traveling far away. She wants to meet different people, make new friends, taste different cuisines, and dream of kissing the entire world with her inherent cheers. She wants to pen what she feels, wander the garden, and breathe in the open sky. My daughter is an average child whom society overlooks. She is neither a Topper nor a Failure. People in and around ignored to appreciate her sweet smile, funny gestures, tight hugs, and helpful behavior because she is JUST an average child. Society celebrates the students who are rank holders, brilliant players. That righteously it should be. Bravo to them! But in all these superlatives, my average daughter remains a delighted spectator. Cheers to her friend with an open heart. Her love for playing basketball never diminishes (even though she knows well that she will not be selected for the school team). And it’s okay for her. She does all this to enjoy every moment of school life rather than compete with her friends. Salute to her maturity! My not so brilliant kid might not be a Doctor, Singer, or Scientist. But she will grow up to be a wonderful human being to spread the fragrance of love & empathy. Let us come forward to notice the average children and appreciate their enthusiasm. All they want is a smile, a kind word from adults. Just an acceptance of being themselves will assure them to trust the World and the confidence to believe that the World is still beautiful to live in.