Wednesday 28 December 2016

Looking back on 2016

Another year draws to an end. Another one looms ahead.

Last year, at about this time I felt that I had just swam the Amazon chased by the crocodiles after my own boat got wrecked and got away with some lost limbs. But the overriding feeling was that of having got away.

This year I had a new rented boat with me, all new and shiny and fitted with some gadgets. The ride has been smoother and more comfortable. But having said that, the trip forward has forebodings of unknown. The shine of the boat is gone, the water is showing signs of early choppiness and I just sense that a few crocs may rear their heads again. Maybe these ones latched on to the rear of the boat and are waiting to snap again. It is just good that I do not own the boat this time.

Enough of rhetoric and imagery!

2016 would remain special because we could celebrate two unique occasions—the golden jubilee of my parents marital life and the attainment of 5 years by my daughter. Two occasions where I put in my whole effort and barring a few small blemishes, managed to do justice to expectations. That is important because living upto expectations are the biggest challenges of life.

This year was more financially comfortable and I believe I made a successful transit from being an entrepreneur to a domesticated obedient worker. It was the need of the year and I proudly claim that I managed to do it without much ado. Only the death of a few dreams ended up being collateral damage.

My daughter grew up this year. She continues to stun me at times when she lowers her guard and I feel surprised to see how well she hides her real self. I hope that I live up to her levels.

My parents grow older and every year takes a bigger bite into their health. A matter of concern about which I can do nothing!! I feel helpless but that is perhaps inevitable. The umbrella under which I grew up continues to become thinner every year.

And friends!! What would I have done without them!!!  Thanks for being there once again.


ADIEU 2016!! Thanks for teaching me that you are only as good as what the others perceive you to be and it’s the results as expected and interpreted by the person facing you and not the reality which matters in the end.



Thursday 21 July 2016

The Golden Moment








50 years is a long time.

Living together for 50 years is a helluva long time.

It speaks of immense patience served with generous dollops of love, sacrifice, ability to fight odds without giving an inch and garnished with respect for each other.

It is an achievement which everyone does not  have the ability to reach.

On the 10th of July 2016, my parents just did that. They completed a journey of 50 years of roller coaster married life full of the proverbial ups and downs.

Being their only child I had the privilege to share 47 of these glorious years – and it has been more of a joy ride than a bumpy one for me, thanks to the cushion laid out on my pathway by my parents.

Maaaan, am I lucky and proud!!!

On the 10th when I was asked to speak on the occasion in front of a gathering consisting of family members who had gathered to celebrate the occasion, I found myself at a loss of words. After all, what do you say about someone to whom you owe your existence and sustenance. Does one eulogise? Or wax eloquent on the relationship high points? Or does one recount the golden days of the childhood? Or even joke about the rare differences of opinion? 

You do not thank or speak to the pillars of your life. You just hug them and hope to hold on to them for your entire life.

So, I took the easy way out. I just let my emotions take over. I said mighty little, most of which was incoherent babble.

 But hopefully people understood that I meant nothing more than the following:-

‘Ma and Baba, may I have the honour of being your child for all my subsequent lives?”


That sums it all I guess.