Second chance

Swaying slowly to the sleepy and soothing night, and resting on the long, drawn, comfortable (old) easy chair made me forget my worries as my mind traversed backwards in time. Living back then in a 23 member choultry (otherwise called home) was no mean task, and our(singularly plural) home extended from one long corner to the other, housing about 7-8 rooms. Inclusive of such vast space were drawing room cum bedrooms belonging to my uncles and their families (which my mom and i are part of) and an all exclusive poojai room meant for worshipping GOD of small and BIG things.2 dingy bathrooms (1 for the owner and the other for the others, and during pressing needs the "mending wall" philosophy was violated with at most freedom!!) A narrow verandah which was a mere extension to the rooms full of furniture, filth etc and complemented one another quite easily. Objects (too many) were placed in space (too less/little) easily reachable and usable (irrespective of its place) and our understanding of such imperfections, were in short quite "extra" ordinary!! The ensuing lack of comforts, commotion and ceaseless activities bestowed with unique opinions and judgments of the doers was not reflective of a picture-perfect family. Rather a haven for a score of individuals who blended as a unit, inseparable in spirit, and divided in assortments of distinct sizes and shapes. Our neighbours admired us for this accepting attitude towards such daily basis pandemonium, and that too at an age where small families were/are the order of the day. The rocky, barren backyard was made the best use of, especially during sultry summer evenings which eventually became cool and relaxing, and made our problems seem lighter and easily manageable. The thicket(s) of mattress spread under the starry sky and a plethora of books to choose from the dusty shelves helped the booklovers and story-tellers be in tune with their imaginations and hopes. The simplest of gestures shared and reciprocated in mutual trust and innocence made growing (of young and old alike) the way it is and not a mere technical process of ageing. Though not perfect personalities (now), yet, a memorable walk through such times of childhood makes the products of such a family walk the extra mile-for today and the days to come. I dearly hope and pray that youngsters of yesteryears take their much lived, slow/leisurely and time-tested past as a present (gift) and help spread smiles to those who "grow" much too faster. Let us give ourselves and our childhood a 2nd chance.