Now that I am old, really old, I often wonder whom do I love most! Do not get me wrong, I am not thinking about romantic attachments though they meant a lot to me when I was a teenager and then in my twenties. It was ages back when my heart went racing at the very thought of the very idea of love at first sight. Will it happen, when will it happen? It did happen but was not first in the real sense. So many such 'firsts' followed, I have lost count of them. And mostly these encounters were one sided, you know what I mean!
I am talking about my thoughts of today, Jan 26. It gave me real goosebumps when I witnessed the Republic Day parade on the TV. My country India, my people, the majestic tricolour, our marching soldiers, I simply loved them. I know we have our faults like the rest of the world. But I am sure we will overcome!
The very thought of India including the crowds, the bustling day to day activity, the noise and even the dirt makes me long for it. Morning walks with friends, meeting neighbours on the staircase and be able to have a conversation, talking politics, cricket and Bollywood, or just walk down to the society shops to buy vegetables and groceries has it's own pleasures! People have enough time for such mundane things and a morning seems to have more hours there than here, in the west. Maybe, I have spent too much time in the sterile and antiseptic world of America and it is time for me to go back because all said and done, I love my country!
Easier said than done though because after my country, I love my grandkids the most.
Jan 26 also happens to be my youngest grandkid Akshay 's birthday. We cut the birthday cake early this morning. A party will follow on the weekend.
This also reminds me of my grand daughter Mallika and my eldest grandson Avinash who are as dear to me. Only, I suppose Akshay has that extra edge just because his birthday coincides with that of the Republic of India.
God bless my dear grandchildren!
It is a different matter that they have barely any time for me. Koi baat nahin, I forgive them!
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