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.

My eyes welled with tears. It was an emotionally charged homily and the priest did a wonderful job. He managed to stir that part of ones soul, where sometimes we tend to let it sleep.
In christian circles, 26th July is dedicated to Parents Day, one day(At least) in the year where we are supposed to prayer, and make our parents happy, How many of us give them a thought in our busy lives ?
I for sure could never ever do without our parents support and guidance, right from bringing up the kids to nursing them back to health, from running around with me for their admissions they have been there every step of the way.
And it is not only on Parents Day that we must pray but every night in our prayers ask The almighty to take care of them, every step of their way.
We have to thank them for bringing us out into this world, and make them happy for doing so. Its only natural to have, a grouse or two, we are all human, but it ends there dont carry it around for the rest of your life.
Isnt it far better a bunch of roses that they can smell now instead of laying it out on a cold stone, and words and eulogies that mean nothing, could mean the world if they were alive ? Yes, snap out and do it NOW.
Let the words flow, and so too the hugs, let love reign ...The fourth commandment :
Honour thy Mother and Father.Do this and watch Peace take over your life. Our parents, cannot think of what we would be without them. Happy Parents Day Mom & Dad.XXXX + OOOO

Woke up bleary eyed, hoping the alarm was not mine, had to go to pick up our parents at the station, the husband and me went off both trying to rub the sleep off our eyes.
Settled into a comfortable position after making enquiries regards"our" train. To be up so early in the morning,is part of a routine for most people, the city really does not sleep, of course 0430 am in the morning by the citys standard is hardly early, half of the population is on their way to work, and the other half helping them to get there.
The station was a beehive of activity, the emotions, the goodbyes, the welcomes, the haggling everything was there for us to see, all on a single canvas.
A huge family disembarked,and seemed lost, gave me an impression that they were looking out for a member to welcome them, the disappointment on their faces as they searched the station, and then suddenly he(apparently the head of the family)squealed in delight at the sight of him, conveying to the rest of his clan,in a language I could not understand(His actions explained it to me)"He is there, hey hey(hands frantically waving ) look here, we are all here", and then, the chaos within their group the hugs the embraces, everything that said"Welcome"...
On the other side, a young couple that had traveled long distance and looked very much in need of a hot bath and some steaming coffee, were in the middle of a heated argument, a bag thrown on the platform, and their backs facing each other, conveyed what a long tiring journey, can do, fray ones nerves.
This little incident took my heart away two senior citizens, traveling long distance and the amount of luggage said it all, they were going for long.Haggling with the porter to lower the fee, the porter a kind hearted soul conceded to their request, the elderly man had all the bags on him and the lady was walking freely, the porter, like i mentioned a kind hearted soul, was guiding them thru the hustle and the bustle, which was really so nice.
So many thoughts kept passing thru my head, as busy as people maybe, they always have time to stretch out for another. A tiny little girl, who refused to walk, the length of the platform, was sobbing, her parents were loaded with bags all over them, a gentleman came over and helped the baby get into the mothers arms(best place ever!)...
Suddenly the loudspeaker making the announcements, and the husbands nudge, brought me into what we had really come for... Lovely to see my parents after almost two months...Welcome to Mumbai, hugs kisses, embraces, and the non-stop chatter mum and me were into was clear to see how much we missed them......

There are times when you know you have to walk away, and times when you know you have to run,...Kenny Rogers says it best in his "Coward of the County" there are also those times when you know that you are right and still have to shut up. Oh yes, like in my previous blogs I have written "Zip-lock" method, thats the real thing to avoid any sort of snowballing effect for an argument.
It does not matter, who is right or who is wrong, none will be awarded the certificate for this, but at the end of it all you and only you know that you have averted a huge argument what might have turned into something bigger.
We all know what happens in that split-second of an angry moment, we have read simple arguments turning into tragedy and the murderer confessing how a simple request for a hot meal and an argument got his hands bloodied... yeah, so simple .. Lets take total control of our emotions and not let our emotions become our master.
There goes, I have a lump in my throat and will not ...
I have written and dont mind, penning once again, no one wins an argument, just zip lock and clear the air much much later if you have to or else just thrash it... worth the price....

She looked radiant in her white flowing gown,symbolising purity of her innocent soul. It was her first with Christ and HE was entering her heart, an important day for all Catholics.Her parents and brother were beside her and watching her every move.
Its was a nice evening of friends and well wishers and a little girls dream to wear the "Bridal gown"
Dancing away on the dance floor and she was oblivious to the admiration she got.
My mind raced back to my BIG DAY, and how beautiful the feeling is for a little girl,
Aunts, Uncles, and cousins were part of a lunch party we had at home and still remember the blue dress my mum stitched to be worn at lunch, My communion gown was lovely and as was the tradition we had to click a picture of us receiving the Holy Eucharistic with the cut-out of Jesus, I still remember the famous photographer P.Gomes, adjusting my veil and me smiling away .... The camera never lies, that was evident in my pose and overall.
May the little girls faith grow with each day, and get stronger with each passing hour.

The Easter vigil ended on a beautiful note, literally well sung by our church choir."WE SEE CHRIST"
Hugs, kisses, and "looking lovely" all in order.
The Eucharistic Celebration beneath the stars was breathtaking,it was lovely.
The smell of perfume and suits that came out last at Christmas smelt of mothballs.
The next day was a day we decided to dedicate to our families, totally, unconditionally, and believe me, the visits were worth every aching muscle of mine.
The smiles on the faces, the hugs the kids got, some of our aunts had last seen them in school, and the "Thank you for coming"
My husband and me had decided to do this at Christmas, did not happen,somehow we all managed to get ourselves together and had a lovely afternoon lunch at our neices quaint cottage and what a wonderful day it was....
May HIS face always shine upon you...Happy Easter.