Point of Reflection

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.

Posts Tagged ‘family’

Giving Thanks

Thursday, November 26th, 2009
Thanksgiving Day
Image via Wikipedia

Its a nice time to give thanks for all that we  have in our hands today.  Realize the fact that what and how we are living is very fortunate to those who have not been able to even gather one meal for the day.

Really Thank the Creator of all that is, to have bestowed upon us the reality that we dreamed of long back.

Its a special time and its a time to know that we are very lucky to be living and having near and dear ones around us.

As the year draws in to a close, we have much to thank for given the way everything is turning around, economy, climate, conflicts and so many more to make our progress slow and gradual and full of in depth thought.

Anyway, am back from Assam. And as always, I found peace being around my parents who are growing old and entering their twilight years.

Many a subtle tasks have been completed and closed for me. Meeting all my relatives in a wedding was worth the trip. Meeting them after 9 years was kind of bittersweet and pleasant at the same time.. Then I was a daughter of their relation and today I am a woman with my own nest and I am a visitor to their nests.

More than anything, the particular souls with whom I had some heavy karma seemed totally free of that weight and though the sarcasm was the same, the outlook was the same, I was glad to see myself rise above it all and not react AT ALL. Thats new for me and it was just nice to see a big family get together.

I had a quiet laugh at a conversation of one of my relatuons who went on and on about diamonds and gold and all the material worth.. and so much more BLAH just near by ear deliberately trying to irritate me. This woman was my nemesis from the time I was born. :)   I was smiling to the Creator as I was being tested so very hard on my patience and tolerance. Now was the time to practice what I preached and VIOLA !!  It just did not matter. So well I think I passed my test.. Hahaha !! And with intense humility I really thank the Creator for bringing about that change in me and my beliefs.

Sometimes, its nice to just be detached and have the events fold open up on its own.  I am glad I got some time to spend with the bride, my cousin, who I remember to be a kid. It was emotional watching her at the vermillon ceremony where the mother – in-law puts the Sindoor on her to be daughter-in-law’s head.

And among all the dazzle of wedding finery and bustle of the wedding crowd, after a long time, I felt a sense of belonging to this family and was at peace.

Adapting

Saturday, October 18th, 2008

Inspite of the hectic activity of doing things that needs to be done, I have accepted the fact that I can be on vacation when I am taking a breather.

Its nice to sit and chatter with my aunts.

The heat does not allow the being to do one fourth of what gets done back home. Sigh.

Sometimes it’s as if we are moving in slow motion. I feel like soaking in a tub of ice during the day. Mornings and evenings are cool and there is a nice breeze blowing. I especially like standing beneath the “Shefali” / “Champa” tree and breathing in the beautiful fragrance while I take a walk with Mom.

Then while I am reading a book in the evening in a moment of respite, the crickets have a go at it, and I can feel I am at peace.

Yesterday I had a sweet I used to have in Shillong. Its called “Boiled Cake”. Man it drove me back to nostalgia lane. You don’t get em sweets down South.

Mum used to get it for me always from her office canteen while coming back home.

Tomorrow or day after, am going to Golaghat, my sasural. There has been a wedding recently there so gotta go and do the Bahu thingy.

Mom-in-law is not very well either. Sigh. Hope she gets better soon. I am looking forward to sitting doing the ladies thing with my MIL. Love to talk to her. She has so many stories to tell. :)

Blissful rains

Friday, April 4th, 2008

Its been raining on and off and its fun welcoming all that..

But the drainage system is too clogged nowadays and my apt easily gets flooded with short spates of rain.

I was thinking as I was looking out of the window admiring rain… how life has rolled along..

From the days of struggling to establish an identity to living a life of joyful bonhomie of a couple life to a stage where we come around a circle with our families.

Now life is still good with its ups and downs but we have my parents living with us as they are too old to take care of themselves.

I always had this picture in my mind of them very capable.

But across the years I have seen them age and though I know the reality and all that, its still difficult to accept them as aged and needing aid in many things which we take for granted.

Mom loves to read newspapers with a magnifying glass as her sight is very weak. She loves keeping upto date with what is happening all over the world and then making sure I know about it over the breakfast table.

She knows she needs to eat 20 mins after her insulin, yet when she gets the chance she quickly puts a bite into her mouth when I am not looking..

When I am cross with her, she gives me this absolute charming smile that melts my heart and forget my ire.

Dad has to wash all the utensils before we eat. He has to have certain food in a certain way. Dad does not eat Bitter gourd on some days. He is against eating salad in the nights. Says its bad for digestion. Dad loves walking and that is helping him get to know people.

Dad has had his lower teeth removed and its painful for him to chew. Like a kid, he makes faces and makes me smile. I am waiting till I can get dentures for him..

Dad loves going out and I have to make it a point to take  him out in the evenings when I can.

Its like the old days when he used to come from office and take me shopping. Now its the other way round.

There was a time when I used to wait for my Dad and Mom to come from office and tell me things..

Now they wait for us to come home and talk to them about things.. :)

Its like I am coming a full circle. And I feel old sometimes and well its time to age gracefully too with all the responsibilities and duties that goes forth as one ages… :)

Sigh, it took me a while to accept that they cannot do everything on their own and these two souls who were pillars of strength for me have now been looking to me for the same…

I just wish I can measure up to their expectations. Sometimes it looms large upon me. Then I think I will take it one day at a time.

Till I roll back.. have a great weekend..