Merry Christmas

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

Its Christmas time again. Ahh i can already smell so many things. The air is filled with the aroma of cakes and pastries and it's party time folks... The crammed shopping malls trying to entice the shoppers with the huge discounts, the glittering Christmas trees, the biting cold adding its own touch to this festive season cumulatively makes up for the season. But what really makes my adrenaline groove are the amazing cakes at the shop. Even though not a die hard fan of sweets yet cakes somehow melts my heart. The glitters, the shapes, the various flavors, the cookies and and and what not. My love for cake is eternal even though i am yet to master the art of baking a perfect one.

Apart from my love for cakes what really makes me happy when i see excited people doing shopping for their loved ones. The smile on their faces especially when they are able to purchase some goodies which their beloved ones they think would love it. Perhaps that's the reason they say face is the index of mind!!! Children running after their parents for their favorite toys, little girls clinging to the dolls while their mummy is busy checking the latest cosmetics and the offered discounts and their fathers checking the latest gadgets. Everyone wants the best deal and the best possible gifts. The elderly people helping each other for buying goodies. The families carrying a Christmas tree home. This tree is not merely a tree but a huge tree of happiness which the family members lovingly decorate.The evenings are equally colorful with people having brightly enhanced their houses with lights and other embellishments.

Unlike lots of people across the globe who are waiting for Santa to fulfill their secret wishes even i am waiting for Santa... Hope he is listening to my wish/wishes. Greedy people like me can't have just one wish...ha ha ha. But i promise him i will be happy with whatever he gives me. Lol!!!! Making a wish isn't bad or injurious to health but what we should bear in our mind is that we shouldn't expect that all our wishes will be heard and fulfilled. Limiting our expectations will be helpful for ourselves.

Let's celebrate this wonderful time of the year with the big word 'forgiveness' besides all other things. Lets not carry any grudges to next year. It will just increase our burden. Let's soak ourselves in this festive season and let love and good wishes follow us everywhere.Wishing everyone a HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a wonderful HAPPY NEW YEAR. God bless all.....

Cloudburst

The rain is beating hard on my window panes from i am trying to catch a glimpse of the road below. The cars are moving slowly and the car wipers are struggling with their job. Despite the strong rain, the wind is carrying the aroma of the fresh cookies or cakes from the nearby bakery and quite frankly i just love whenever i get a whiff of that. I quickly roll down my window so that the heavy rain drops do not drench my stuff. Am i missing something? Yes, yes, a cup of hot latte or a bowl of my favorite tomato soup. Well, getting the former was easier for me. Even though my heart was yearning for a fresh cookie or a brownie the rain and the wind stopped me.

My next task was to expunge those emails which were inessential.Spams, spams and more spams. Gosh, i must have forgotten them and they were happily residing in my mail box for quite sometime. Now, u will have to leave and give my inbox some breathing space. Outside the rain is getting harder. Among those deleted emails there was one email which was sent perhaps from any children's organization asking for help for those lesser fortunate ones. There was also a site which led me to a series of pictures depicting those malnourished poverty stricken children. A child's face melts anyone's heart but if the face is of a distressed child we feel all the more. The site did not directly ask me for cash but tacitly mentioned about a helping hand. So i was all the more perplexed. I could have promptly deleted the email unlike the others but before deleting i wanted to check its authenticity. I tried and perhaps used my little internet skill of browsing to arrive at a conclusion but without result. Lastly i decided to delete the email.

I have deleted it then why do i think about it and write a blog of two hundred words? Perhaps the images of those children have stuck with me. There will be perhaps very few people in this planet who aren't moved by the plight of distressed children. These children who have the equal rights unlike the others in their neighborhood are often the victims of those situations which we prefer not to discuss with our children at home. We feel discussing these would be hazardous to the tender minds and hearts of our children. But those poor little ones who are trapped in those dark world and yet smiling through their misfortunes? Do we really do or can do for those little ones? I know simply thinking is no solution and these words aren't going to help me either. At the moment all i can do is to pray to God. I think we all can do this if not anything. God bless and protect those...Amen...

Old age

Someone told me today, "We are born as a child and we die as a child." Seated lackadaisical in moving car, i tried to ponder over the simple line. When we are born our parents apprehensively wait to take us around their arms, snuggle and experience those priceless moments. Those moments they cherish till their last breath. Our parents lovingly witness as each day we grow. Everyday, every moment, they almost breathe through us trying to inculcate all the possible virtues. Some we learn and some we ignore only to retaliate later.

But now the question about our parents gradually shifting back to childhood. Yes, as every bird leaves its nest and in search of food and survival, even we drift to make a living for ourselves.In the process of finding a living or settling down we are away from our sweet home. Our parents are left behind and we do not get to see them as often as possible. With time, with age they need our love and attention just they way we wanted as a child. Our pleas for for toys/dolls or sweets were often answered by our parents and when they grow old its time when we pamper them with all the love and affection that they require. No they do not want toys or sweets but they need our attention our helping hand.

Their wrinkled skins, trembling hands, forgetfulness are all symbolization of an 'old child'. That's how i like to put that. The flourishing old age homes are a silent testimony of the fact that we all are too busy to take care of them who have patiently brought us up. We are happy to be parents but unhappy to take care of our old parents. We fight with our children and forget but altercation with our parents leads to separation. We all happily like to remember our grandparents who used to pamper us with cookies and bed time stories then why deprive our children from that pleasure? I can apprehend a lot of us are victim of unfavorable circumstances wherein we cannot meet them frequently or are bound by some restrictions but we can make sure that we can give them a comfortable old age.Our parents laugh when we laugh and cry when we. So consider them not as family but as a part of 'you'.

As our car comes to halt at a grocery store, i step down quickly to fill my cart. I see an old couple happily coming out discussing about thanksgiving and trying to recollect if they have missed out something which their son loves to have. The old lady adjusting my spectacles wonders if her son's love for dessert has changed since as a child he used to love and she hasn't seen him in last one year. My heart fluttered for a while reminding me of my parents and i call them up only to be convinced by my mom that they had their food on time and they are well.

Its time folks we realize that how helpless our parents feel when we are not around them in their old age. They need a few loving words, a kind helping hand and the warmth of their families....They need 'U'....

Wintry Winters..........

As a bright sunny day comes to an end and the weather department predicting rains tomorrow and for the upcoming days, i am kinda getting mixed feelings. Winters are all over. A brief stroll to the nearby mall has given me a perfect image that people have indeed pulled out all their wollens and are happily flaunting. The chill in the evening air has added more spirit to wearing those vibrant colors.

Winter season has always fascinated me. I remember my childhood days when my mother used to lovingly make those dishes which she found it difficult to make on summer days. The colorful veggies, the rolls, the deep fried stuff which i still savor and pine for. This particular season always holds a soft corner in my heart which is inexplicable. Sitting on a chair on a bright sunny winter day and peeling and sharing oranges with family is one such memory which is very close to my heart. The family get togethers comprising of family and close relatives, the occasional picnics, the elders of the family playing cards or debating over any current topic, and the kids creating hullabaloo running across are a part of those treasured memories. These are not the sole reasons for my eternal love for this season. There is always a strange magnetism between me and this season.

Lot of people do not appreciate winters. The trees wear a barren look. Your skin feels all the more stretched out and applying layers of moisturizing creams doesn't seem to help either.They coax this weather for curtailing their trips, heightening their allergies, inability to move freely minus any woolens and....and...and...You know it better than me. A kid recently said she hates winters because she has to wake early, wear those blazers and go to school. Well, i second her that in this regard. But all of us have been through these and we all want them to go through the same because until you go through austere circumstances you cannot be strong. If that little kid goes through these lines the next time she would think twice before saying that sweet 'hello' to me.

Well, much to your pleasure or displeasure this season of this year is here and we have to live our lives through this. Even if you have to go back to your old boring office/school/college or are excited about joining a new venture do not forget to wrap yourself properly before the winters hit you hard...Enjoy!!!!!

Welcome Home Maa

Hurray...As Goddess Durga embarks on her short sojourn for her paternal home, her devotees all over the world are busy preparing for her short stay. Durga/Sati/Jaya/Bhavaani/Bhavya call her by any name but she is popularly known as 'Maa' to everyone. She is the ultimate power, the destroyer of sin and abettor of morality. In Sanskrit the name 'Durga' means 'the invincible' and she exemplifies power, strength, morality and protection. Hence Durga stands as a symbol of all the divine forces and she protects her children form all the negative aspects of life.

As a mother's love for her child is lucid, serene similarly Maa Durga loves all her children and protects them from adversities. As per mythology Goddess Durga is the epitome of energy, force, power and she was created to demolish a demon 'Mahishasura'. Upon conquering the demon she is also known as 'Mahishasurmardini'. Goddess Durga has hundred and eight names and her children can call her by any name, but perhaps 'Maa' is the easiest word for any child to address their mother.

It is also believed that the Goddess comes to her paternal home for three days along with her four children. Her home coming is celebration for her children who wait all throughout the year for her arrival. Celebration begin pretty much in advance. People buy new clothes, exchange gifts worship her for three days and forgetting all sorrows of life, immerse themselves in the three day long celebration. It's that time of the year when people try to forgive each other and worship the power. The fourth day is painful for her children as she leaves for her home which is believed to be 'Kailash'. With tears in eyes her children appeal and pray to her to take away all the evils along with her and leave peace behind. Another year of anticipation begins for her children before they can welcome her again on this earth.

Be a part of this stupendous celebration. Feel the divine power. For those people who are away form their homes, always remeber that you are away from your home and not from 'Maa". She is omnipresent.May Maa Durga bestow you and your family with peace, love and happiness always...Amen!!!!!

Pangs of Separation

A friend of mine's world recently came crashing when her husband declared that he wanted a divorce form her. This came after a few cases of altercation between them even though she emphatically says that nothing major has happened between them. The couple is blessed with a two and half year old son and this unwanted decision came in the wake of their child's upcoming birthday. Initially my friend persuaded to amicably sort out their differences and even wondered if infidelity could be the cause but her thoughts were proven wrong. This wasn't a case of infidelity.

While many women in the world everyday live with the constant fear of infidelity, and in many cases they are they are true yet a larger community of women can hardly suspect their husbands. We all want 'our' lives and in the clash of a couple its the poor child who bears the brunt. As a corollary to this harsh truth the child often grows up neglecting or disparaging the institution of marriage. The tender mind of a child needs to be shaped with love and respect so that he too can give the same.In my friend's case the child may be too small to annotate his chaotic surrounding yet he deserves the love of both his mother and father.

There are perhaps many children who grow up in a tormented home, dividing their time between their parents. As a reparation to the lost time both the parent and the child want to enjoy every minute of their allotted time. Isn't it a bit unfair on the child's part who deserves all the time and love of his both the parents? Ahh, now you will tell me about your difference of opinion, tales of misunderstanding, career choices, different lifestyle, suspected stories or infidelity. Even though it becomes increasingly difficult to live with your partner who has cheated on you, yet the preferences of a child cannot be put on back burner. A couple makes a home and child completes a family, so how can the interest of a child be neglected when the home comes in a dilapidated state.

My friend's plight has certainly moved and forced me to think about her predicament and my mind is boggling with lots of questions. My heart goes out for her toddler and wish i could provide my shoulder to my friend...My request to all the couples who are considering this austere decision in their lives to contemplate about their children's interest. Join me in my prayer to God to grant my friend and many such couple who are facing this situation, the patience to walk through this crisis of her life....Amen!!!!!!

Flower Power

As snappy breeze is flowing across my window where i have cuddled up in a chair, the laptop is all the more extending its warmth. It's been a mixed day and strangely i haven't spoken to anyone in the last couple of hours. Too many ideas are getting clogged so thought of channelizing my ideas and energy into something constructive. You may wonder what? I knew!!!!

Women mostly love flowers and i am no exception. So i decided to visit the local florists to check the stock. The mesmerizing fragrances and the blooming flowers caught my imagination. To me perhaps every flower was saying a story. The delicate petals, the velvety roses the soft and supple carnations, orchids and what not. For a few moments i got lost in my virtual paradise...

The weather outside is changing. Leaves are about to fall. In a few days from now the strong winds will ruthlessly wither all the leaves from the tree giving it a barren look. Everything will wear a plastic look and then perhaps flowers will will be the savior to cheer us....My mind was constantly fiddling with the flowers until i decided to buy a bunch of roses and an assorted bouquet. Without a word i paid for my purchases since the lady at the counter too did not utter a single word. As i walked towards my home, i tried hard to protect my tender flowers so that the winds do not rob the delicacy of my pretty flowers.

My next task was to arrange these flowers. What better way to spend my time. I tried a lot of styles as per my mood swings but none could appeal my senses. I let me imagination rule my mind and after a lot of dabbling completed my task. Well this wasn't certainly the first time that i bought flowers, but yes it was the very first time that i made a bouquet of my own rather than just placing the flowers in the vase. I know you might say, this isn't a herculean task but for an amateur it surely is.

Well my job didn't end here. I thought of exercising my photography skills (which according to my husband is nebulous) as a testimony of my hard work. If you ask me about job satisfaction it certainly relaxed my nerves. In life sometimes doing something just to maintain equanimity of life soothes our mind and senses. Trust me!!!!