My balcony overlooks a SSC examination centre, I was watching the reactions of many of the students gathered before the exam.
Most of them were accompanied by a parent/s and a few were walking in alone, some of them were huddled up in deep concentration and some preferred to stand and revise all by themselves.
there was this particular child who I was watching all along and he seemed to me to be(My own assessment)the class "Smartie' his friends gathered around him and most of them were trying to ask him a lot of questions and showing his books and reams of paper which he seemed to be answering patiently..what a lovely child. In the near distant stood his mother and a grandma(looked like to me) who were watching their boy all the while, doting and the boy was busy helping the others out.
The bell went off, and there was panic amongst students and parents hugging kissing last minute revisions and rushing towards the door. This boy, went to his mother and grandmother and said his byes and hugged them both, his grandmother traced her hand all over his face and drew it towards her own, that was such a sweet gesture, and they stood there watching the boy till he could be seen no more.
The after reactions are wonderful to watch, you can immediately come to know if the paper was easy or tough and how ? just watch the students faces, some are smiling and even do a little jig whilst some are trying and hoping for a miracle turning the pages to see the right answer was theirs.
The parents more anxious than the students havent I been there too ? and the anxiety is killing ... ... a prayer on my lips for the students and hope the next paper is better than the previous one.....God Bless them.

. "However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you If you do not act on upon them?"




Many a time we have seen a lot of people who are silently helping the under priviledged, and the uncared, one of the names that comes to our minds in a flash is Mother Theresa, yes, its so true she did not care for publicity she did not care to give TV interviews.Everything she did was for the poor, and to quote her,"I see God in everything I do, "
How many of us can even be a fraction of Mother Theresa ?
There are people who speak about helping the society, the uncared, and the downtrodden, many of them really, really do, but along the way some chose to forget.
Our social responsibility towards our society does not end with making verbal promises, but action oriented promises, "Hands that help are holier than lips that pray." Charity begins at home, help around the home, your society, your people and try and make life just a wee bit easier for the other.
Its surely gives me an inner satisfaction besides, a smile on their face is something money cannot buy.

How do you heal a broken heart ? kind words, motivation, spiritual advice, or your own experiences there.
Believe me its not easy to be the one with a broken heart, maybe a friendship gone wrong, maybe a back jab or maybe one of your own letting you down in whatever way, everyone has been thru this or at least one of this.
For me the best way I deal with any of this type of a situation I withdraw for a while (depends how deep the hurt is) deeper then longer waiting time, and begin an introspection where I try and sort out matters in my head and find the reason WHY ?
There definately has to be a part that I too play or played in this happening, and so in short try and find my own faults.
Going thru is also not easy my immediate defence mechanism is-" Its not my fault," but with my feet firmly planted on the ground handle it,
In the event of me being at fault try and get myself to say sorry, else have a one to one talk with the subject in question.
This has nearly always worked with me and realize that the after effects glue on to make the relationship much stronger
Whatever maybe the case, never let the sun set on your anger.

Christmas holidays had just begun, and the little boys( my house overlooks a home for orphans)were really having fun what with all the christmas parties, presents, and games ? life was wonderful, happiness all over their beautiful, innocent faces. Reminded me of a friends child I know, give her the world and yet nothing can bring a smile on her face, happiness is something her parents must know cannot be bought.
Getting back to the little angels, the next day their parent/guardian came to pick them up for their christmas vacation, excitedly packing their little totes jumping around their friends was something I cannot forget.
There was this little child who drew my attention, formalities completed by the parent/authorities, he came skipping, out right onto his sister(I presume) and the boy excitedly showing off his many presents his bag could carry, the two were oblivious that the parent had walked ahead, this little boy was probably telling his sister all his fun he had and the little girl was a picture of concentration.
This little scene touched me deeply, and made me realise how fortunate we are to have our family around us, something we sometimes tend to take for granted.
The family is the backbone of us all. May 2012 be a special year for the fortunate and no so fortunate that somewhere they may find the peace and happiness that only a family can.

After the party is over, after the guests have left...
What a wonderful year that was that went by, the ups, the downs, the not so good and of course the good, the regrets soooo few, too few to mention.
What can I say.
The year has flown by and everyone has already set into their routine, the husband back to work, the boy too! the girl at college and me ...settling the house that has the look of the family taking off in a hurry. After a season of festivities the suits go in the cupboards so too the accessories.
The Christmas tree is up and beautiful, even more when fully lit up. Will try and put up a pic of this. Soon it will be time for the tree to be put away up in the attic till another year comes by.God willing.
New Years Resolution made to be more regular with our walks, broken on the second day of 2012and blame it on the weather,just couldnt get myself out of the warmth of my blanket,
I hope the rest of the resolutions are kept.
On of them being to write more regularly on my blog, love to But...
Can only thank the almighty how much he continues to bless us, in all his generosity.

Nov.02, in Christian Circles is a day dedicated to "All Souls Day", and the whole family was present at the firt mass 0700 am,,, the waking up and getting dressed to go, was a nightmare.
Finally having found our way to the cemetery, and waiting for the priest to start,( for me the clock did not seem to move), finally a short homily and the final blessing the mass came to an end. Meeting a lot of people in and around the parish a hello here a goodbye there.
We went to visit our family grave, wherein my husbands mother and father were laid to rest.
What a different world we walked into once we stepped into the cemetery, the truth really really hits you, death is permanent and no escape from it, the atmosphere was sober, candles all over the place, flowers decorations what a wonderful sight, was kind of sorry for not getting some pics of the beautiful creations in flowers and candles,If there was a prize dedicated for the best dressed grave"Tough one" there would have to be more than one"First"
The husband, kids and me, could not thank our parents enough for the wonderful legacy they have left behind, in terms of relationships, love and compassion. Their goodness they have sowed is here for us to reap and harvest the fruit of which we are enjoying...Thank you Mum and Dad ...
Was glad the little adults could get to see where their paternal grandparents are, they were very little when they passed away, and do have faint and kind memories of their grandmother, their , grandfather passed when the boy was an infant.
My daughter particularly remembers her elegance, the way she sat she ate, her mannerisims and all they have and think about them is good, dont we too have to go the same way / do good, let the generation reap the fruits of the goodness you have sowed... Lets spread happiness, peace and let our faith grow and show.....

Nothing can take us back in time, but surely spending time with "Those sweet" memories can make a world of change.
I absolutely love the recently aired Airtel Ad,"Har Ek friend ka jaroori hota hai",
the chaos in the classroom, the clown of the class and the feeling of closeness to your friends, open secrets, anxious moments, just anything that an 18 year old felt was there to be talked about with friends ... that is one phase of your life that surely we must have all cherised.those beautiful moments
I for sure did. I remember a particular professor who was meek and timid, would be afraid to even quieten the class, and the "Dadas" self professed ones, would try and make it worse, fortunately the professor left the college for better prospects, and just as well.
The clown of the class was a huge boy, absolutely crazy would stake his own self respect to make the class laugh and the moment he was absent, things would not be so happy for all.
There was this little girl, very cute and the class almost treated her like their own as we knew she was away from home.
Lovely moments, the camera would never be able to capture, as well as the mind can.
It was a beautiful mix of little adults and it was over even before we wanted it to ....Moved on to another phase of life, and am happy I have these and more beautiful memories to cherish.