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A special link

As soon as a baby makes his or her debut before friends and family the ‘resemblance’ discussion starts. And so it was with H and N. One look at H’s large feet and he was claimed by the Husband’s ‘side’. (at seven, he and I share a shoe size!!). N, was a bit of a mystery. She was definitely not like The Husband and not much like me either, at least that was the family consensus. Finally after much debate she was pronounced to look like my sister.. and that I think was how the first link formed.

The twins adore my sister…

My sister handles masihood brilliantly. She pampers the twins silly – buys them weird and wacky gifts, regularly treats them to ice cream, takes them for walks in the rain and even has the courage to take them to a toy shop and say that magic word ‘choose’.

A special link..

However with N there’s something special. Perhaps because N is a lot like her.. not just in looks but also in her personality. 
– They’re both no food people (Dumping tiffins, passing over breakfast to siblings, not noticing that they haven’t eaten anything for hours on end)
– Hence they’re both thin as sticks (the sister was for a long long time)
– They both like to sleep in weird postures (that, I am not at liberty to elucidate here)
– Both have scant regard for authority (specially mine)
– Both are extremely impatient with my ‘conservative’ ways (yes already)
– And recently when N got braces they were in the exact same teeth my sister had hers (I never needed any)
As N grows up I’ve come to value this connection between them. While the kids are young she’s a fun aunt. When they grow up, I see in her a special confidante who’ll perhaps see their point of view better, because she has the benefit of perspective.
That’s my sister teaching N the essential skill of whistling.. something I’m yet to master.
Linking to Marathon Bloggers for our one week fun fest ‘‘A story for every picture, a picture for every story”. Today’s prompt was ‘Links’.


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F is for all that’s ‘Familiar’

About a year back we invested in a new house. We were super excited because it was twice as large as our current one, was situated right behind the kids’ school and to their complete delight it came with a personal plunge pool in the balcony. Quite a dreamhouse! It is now ready for possession but none of us want to go. Once in a while the kids remember the pool and ask ‘When are we moving?’ but then they happily go back to their friends and forget about it.

Whoever said familiarity breeds contempt pretty much misunderstood the concept. To me, as I believe to a lot of us, familiarity spells comfort and friendship and security.

Though not a true blue extrovert, I have made some good friends. Friends who call me up if they don’t see me around for a few days, who keep my letters safe if I’m not around to receive them, who help me out with every imaginable thing from sharing parenting troubles to accompanying me on coffee dates when I need a breather. (Muah to all you guys)!

I like the smiles I exchange with familiar faces in the elevator every day even though all of them are not my friends.

I like it when the usually surly building guard strikes up a conversation.

I like knowing that four rounds of my apartment building make a kilometre when I take my evening walk  (yeah I’m stuck up like that!).

I like being welcomed by the coolest freshest breeze as soon as I enter our building compound.

I like keeping count of the huge yellow Hibiscus that bloom with great regularity in the garden, even though it isn’t my personal garden.

Most of all I love the street outside my apartment building. Crammed in about half a kilometer are vegetable vendors, a fishmonger, a stationery shop, general merchants, fruit sellers, a cobbler, snack shops, medical stores, a scooter repair shop and even a library. Oh I almost forgot to add.. an auto stand and a bus stop, two tiny temples, a mosque and some small time tailors (who handle fancy dress costumes for the kids and all of my alteration work as I put on and shed weight routinely!!)

And yet it’s not too crowded since we’re almost at a dead end.

Can it get any better? (Umm… still wondering if I missed out anything!)

I like it when I’m greeted by a smile at each of these shops. I enjoy the bits of conversation I exchange. If I miss going to the guava guy, I know he’ll come looking for me to my flat with the right mix of raw and ripe ones just the way we like them (raw ones for The Husband, ripe ones for me).

Apologise for the poor picture quality.. it was clicked in a hurry.
You can see the library flanked by the snack store

Tell me why I should want to move?

And contrary to that saying, familiarity makes my day, everyday!

For more fantastic entries go to  ABC Wednesday. 

Also linking to Marathon Bloggers ‘A story for every picture, a picture for every story’ 
for the prompt ‘Street’

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Among the clouds

Today we, at Marathon Bloggers, kick off a week of picture prompts

‘a story for every picture, a picture for every story’ 

Today’s prompt – ‘Fly’
Going literally with ‘flying’, here’s my entry. 
That’s as close as I’ve ever come to flying. We were on a family vacation to Dapoli – 13 of us. We’d hired this huge bus so we could all travel together. I remember thinking what an unlucky number we were. However it turned out to be a fantastic holiday and remains a benchmark for all of us. Each time we plan a holiday it’s like, “As good as Dapoli” or “Dalpoli was more fun”.
I’m not sure what made me let myself get strapped to that contraption. I’m absolutely not an adventurous soul — the typically safe and conservative Capricorn. That day I agreed, I still wonder why. The trip into the clouds lasted barely minutes and everyone else came down complaining how ‘tame’ it was. My 7-year old nephew was gravely upset because he wasn’t allowed to go. Anyhow, I rose in my estimation that day and thought no end of myself for having dared to do it.
So there.. that’s the story for that picture. Aren’t those rippled clouds beautiful? 
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

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100 Happy Days – Week 6

It’s Week 6 at the 100 Happy Days Challenge . For the first time since I started off, it’s been truly a challenging week, which is why this post is late in coming. No point doing a happy post when you’re not feeling happy. The happiness won’t shine through.. I’m just not a good enough writer!

But obviously this had to happen, right? Or else where’s the challenge? The important part is that I’m back. How can one be unhappy too long in this week of love.. huh?

Here’s my list..

Happiness this week is..

1. .. Getting a clean chit in the medical report 

Yay!! I maxed it! I got an all-clear other than a very marginally high Cholesterol.

2. … laughing over culinary disasters

In honour of the impending V-Day celebrations I tried to make heart-shaped jelly.. the instant one which needs just hot water to set. I thought I’d pour it out into the moulds and it would be perfect for V-Day. Knowing my history with all things culinary I went for a trial. It looked so perfect sitting in the moulds that we were all thrilled. But the moment I tried to demould it, it just ran.. everywhere. How I could mess up such a simple recipe is beyond me. But I did. The happy part was when I mixed it with chopped bananas H pronounced it ‘perfect’. Then both of them clinked glasses and ‘drank’ some of it too.

I used to think I should completely give up cooking but the amount of entertainment it provides me and my family makes me go on.

3. … a smile from a stranger

The other day I was on my way back from the gym and was trying to cross the road on my scooter. I must have held up this lady in her car for a good few minutes before I realised it. I threw her an apologetic look but she just smiled back an ‘it’s okay, take your time’ kind of smile. So made my day.. and gave me an idea for a post here!

4. .. The Husband taking an unexpected holiday

This one’s such a rarity when your husband’s a workaholic. With kids all over the place and the TV blaring, shared moments of peace are to be truly treasured.

5. .. a bucket of caramel popcorn

…while watching a film. I’m still not sure what I like better.. the film or that popcorn. The thing is – the film might be a risk but the caramel popcorn’s dependably delicious.

6. … a V-Day card 

N ‘made’ me this card. If you’re wondering why it’s a Mother’s Day card.. well so am I! I think that’s all she could find in her card-making kit. But then does it matter??

7. … FB messages on Valentine’s Day 

Reading through the varied messages of love being sent out to friends and family fills you with amazing warmth. Too ‘mush’ love! 😀

… and I’ve just realised I’ve done a red red post! So folks how was your week? Happy, busy, rushed, relaxed? Do share here.

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Language of compassion

She had been standing there for a good ten minutes. Traffic flowed like a river
in flood. Never ceasing, fast and incessant. She had come to dread her morning trips to the market. Despite her years in the city
she hadn’t mastered the art of zigzagging through it all.
She waited on.. uncertain, scared.
Finally, she took a step forward and was greeted by a flurry of honks as a scooter whizzed by almost brushing her sari. The driver waved her back with an impatient look, like she had invaded his personal space. She stepped back guiltily.
She wiped her sweat, adjusted her glasses, shifted her bag to the other hand and readied to try again. A giant city bus
materialised blocking all else other than its dirty red as it creaked to an angry halt.
Flustered, she stepped back onto the footpath again.
She looked around in part dread part fascination at other pedestrians making a dash through the chaos.
I cannot stay here forever, she reasoned. She straightened her shoulders and with a bravado that felt false to even to her own self, she stepped into the traffic. Within seconds she heard a car screech to a halt inches from her… horns blared, people cursed. She tried to look up but panic blinded her. Someone wrested her bag from
her hand, someone was grabbing her shoulder, propelling her forward. She tried to resist, but couldn’t.
And then, in a flash, she was on the other side. Her bag was back in her hand. She stood breathing hard, heart hammering. “It’s alright,” said the young girl, “you’re fine”. Relief and gratitude brimmed over. She tried to focus, a thank you on her lips, but the girl had already melted in the crowd.

Sometimes it takes just a minute, just a tiny gesture to express it all.. tolerance, compassion, love.

*************

 

Edited to add: Do check out this page here…
Random Acts of Kindness Week.
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