Life

The day i turned 13 Chirayu was in Ahmedabad. Studying at CEPT. We used to keep waiting for him and his calls. But CEPT never gave him enough time. He sent me a card and said, "On your 13th Birthday, My only wish is 'Life' ".

LIFE

Life is short...
may not be very sweet,
but i pray
may we enjoy life
as it is,
happiness or sadness
may we enjoy each moment
to its fullest.
till we live...
...till we live...

- 3rd July 1995

The card is a special part of my collection.

A touch of Moon madness

There's a touch of Moon madness in every Cancerian. He knows a wild and secret place where two lilies and seven white roses grow among the iris. Sometimes the memory of this faraway garden causes him to explode with laughter. Now and then it causes him to weep with sadness.

Linda Goodman is so correct when she talks about the Moon madness. I have this distinct place in mind. I have always seen it in my dreams, in sleep and with open eyes.

There is a garden full of pretty flowers, purple, blue, pink and red. The ground is covered with tall, soft, green grass. When the wind blows the tall grass bends so uniformly to seem like a soft smooth green carpet made of silk.

And while this picture would be picture perfect on a pleasant day with clouds in the sky, the night seems so incomplete without the Moon.

I have always felt a strong connection with the Moon. Don't really know where it began. When I was about four we were driving down to Dubai from Salalah, Oman. Papa was in the driving seat and Mummy was sitting next to him. We three kids were on the back seat sleeping. Suddenly I woke up.

I got up and looked in the front to call Papa but I stopped. From the front glass of the car I saw outside. It was about to be dawn. The sky was bright blue, my favourite colour. The Moon was still in the sky. There were about two stars that were still twinkling in the sky. That is my first distinct memory of the Moon. It was so pretty as if the whole world had slept and the Moon had been watching them sleep, guarding them while they dream of a new, happy tomorrow. And at that moment it was about to leave and so it was waking people softly to the new day that was about to begin. My words may not capture the beauty of that time. But how pretty the Moon looked and how happy I was to wake up at that moment.

One another night was when we were going to a farm, far away from the city limits. This was again in Salalah, Oman. The night was dark and there were no street lights in that area of the city. Throughout the way I just kept looking at the Moon. I felt as if it was walking with me, hand in hand and talking to me. This night also I remember too well to forget.

And how can I ever forget all those nights in Tapovan when we slept in the 'Chowk' (open space in the center of the house) staring at the Sky. I spent hours before going to sleep just looking at the Moon and the moment I started to count the stars I would fall asleep. I never managed to count more than twenty of them. Also, when we had just returned from Salalah (Oman) and Papa was still there I used to imagine talking to Papa through the Sky. I would imagine that there was a dial on the Sky through which I would dial Papa's number and then I would be able to see him, sitting in his room, on the screen next to the dial which would be the Moon. This connection too I can never forget.

The Moon pulls me. Some voice from within of me talks to the Moon. It makes me smile. It makes me cry. It connects me to people I want to be with! And will forever do so, even when I would be in Bahrain!

First prize!

The best thing I did as a kid was to win competitions. When I was in 1st std. I had participated in poetry recitation competition and won the first prize. Till few years back I did remember the poem completely but with all the college study and work load and life by now I just remembered
enough to search for it on the net. And hey, Google zindabad!!! I have found it! :) :) :)

I am so happy to find it that I have to post it here... Its too simple for this age, but has lots of memories attached. And this one is specially for Mummy, who taught me all those actions along with the poetry recitation which got me the prize.

Shoes - by Anonymous

My father has a pair of shoes
So beautiful to see.
I want to wear my father's shoes.
They are too big for me.

My baby brother has a pair
As cunning as can be.
My feet won't go into that pair.
They are too small for me.

There's only one thing that I can do
Till I get small or grown.
If I want to have some fitting shoes
I'll have to wear my own.

Ain't it too cute. And so true to life also. I just love it. :)

Aati Rahengi Baharein

We were in the bus on our way back from Goa to Bombay. Mummy was not too well. She had some breathing problem. She just could not breathe. I was getting too restless. Dint know how could i help her. I just felt like crying. Kept praying to God, in my own way like i always do, to make everything ok. That’s all that one can do when nothing is under your control. We had to wait till we got to Bombay the next morning. I kept praying and just then i heard Chirayu sing this song...

Aati Rahengi Baharein, Jaati Rahengi Baharein
Dil Ki Nazar Se Duniyaa Ko Dekho, Duniyaa Sadaa Hi Hasin Hai

Maine To Bas Yahi Maangi Hai Duaein, Phuulon Ki Tarah Ham Sadaa Muskuraaye Gaate Rahein Ham Khushiyon Ke Geet Yuun Hi Jaaye Beet Zindagi Ho
Aati Rahengi Baharein …..

When we got to Bombay we took mummy to a doc who gave her such good medicines that she never had a problem again… :)

So that’s the title of the blog. Its about being optimistic. I guess optimism runs in our blood. And the song is about wishing for happiness. Because in the end thats all that matters. And that’s the way it should be, I feel. If you aint optimistic and you have no hope what do you live for and look forward to. And if not happiness then what else? So, Dont worry, just always be happy.