For the record...

Get togethers at marriage is anything but getting back together for old times sake. Distant cousins,cousin's cousin, relatives with temporary amnesia and a whole lot of stuffy sentiments that sigh, stare and make mockery of marriage to just a wedding. A people's place is the mandap, moy panam post, bouquet bridesmaids, glitter and gold displayed from forehead to toe, smiling as a last resort, the bride and her groom. The who's who of the family clan, their lives and stories add no more than vapour to a heavy air of cold vibes from the richest of the snobs. Hypocrisy is the middle name prefixing a surname, a family background, a cosmic comedy connection and last but not the least dutiful submissions to family heads and their respective kula deivam above them. A mehendi and a sangeet are music to the event management's ears, reaching out their hands and ears, sweet accord with duh moolah, one day at a time. A scam of a ceremony for marriage hall honchos, caterers, reception invite services and their various stalls that have money and more of commission written all over them- a rich chance to fleece those auspicious days, arriving in the traditional muhurtham time, from the 'heavy duty' party. Right from dawn to the first night, sweet dreams for some,nightmares for some others, a payoff for the rest of the lives, an investment of happiness on the other, this is what being married relates to...for the record...

Light of our lives

The festival of lights came and went and bought with it a ray of hope-of removing the darkness that a growing up mind succumbs to and replacing it with leaps of faith, childlike and still curious. My sister’s son, the light of her life, spread the cheer that my “mature” experience did not teach. A toddler in diapers, my constant companion, despite the obvious difference in age, we were similar in terms of observing and understanding the feel of touch, the power of words, body language perception and connect towards social networking. He expressed his need to be heard, to be spoken to and to be protected in small and cute vocabulary. As a grownup, I still have trouble being understood. To pick himself up whenever he falls down, to never ever give up until he fixes a repaired toy and also to reconstruct one, once his mind is tired of the mundane ‘childish’ activities, courage to continue with his curiosity and stay completely natural, were some traits that I watched, smiling and silently praying that they remain just as they are. Being close to two years, he managed to treat the most of us, parents, relatives, friends, his ayah and maid, equally. A quick hug and a tiny toothed smile made the day memorable and richer. The simple joys of watching a toddler are as colourful and unique as watching a rainbow. Both are to be cherished just as is. Enjoy growing up with them-they may bring out the best in you, one day at a time.