Of Beautiful times
Over the last few months, I have received several emails and messages enquiring if all was ok? There was no news, no new pics and no more blog posts.
To be honest, I have had words ringing in my brain the past two months. But I was on a beautiful break- on an annual trip back to India. Given how diverse and beautiful India truly is, I sincerely hope that my boys soak in the wonderful vibes of warmth each trip we make.
While most vacations, especially a soul-filling one, have a degree of quietness to them, this is one that does not fit the bill.
Waking up each morning to the chirping of birds, to the beautiful refreshing morning wind- a simple hot cup of tea is a ritual that I would look forward to each day. Facing the full-in-bloom Gulmohar tree in the early morning dawn sun, this was a treat for the senses.
We also travelled a bit, and the kids were amazed how much the scenes changed in a matter of a two hour flight. India really is such a diverse country!
These last two months gave me ample time to re-align my thought process. Of life’s direction. Of what next and how. But in a lot of ways, these two months were also about so much more. Of no routine. Of taking the luxury of doing nothing. Of taking random walks. Of petting the dogs endlessly. Of swimming under the shade of that firangipani tree. Of hearing my own thoughts in the busiest street one could ever imagine. Of listening to early morning temple bells. Of the playful monsoons. Of seeing all the possible colors in one frame. Of listening to local Sufi music and soulful voices. Of jumping out of the car to show the kids a cow! Of listening to mom’s endless banter but feeling relieved in the shade of her aura on a sunny day. Of festivals. Of lifelong bonds. Of birthdays spent just like yesterday. Of remembering old promises, and making new ones- to fulfill next summer. Of meeting old friends and it seemed like no time had passed between us. And then meeting some and feeling too much time had gone by. And just like life in general- the trip ended in a full circle. A circle that will have to wait another 365 days to restart- on a timer.
They say when we love something, we should let it free. I think I am finally beginning to understand this fully now- even though my heart aches as I write this. Unlike all other times when I have come back with a sad, full heart, to miss my childhood home like no other place, this time I came back feeling content. Just the way our hearts and souls can have two fulfilling different purposes, the same way I have always felt physically and emotionally torn. Every year, year after year.
However, this year, I have realized that some things never change. My love for home and vice versa, my looking at old albums with tears, the people I love- all have been constant over the last few years. So has been the Gulmohar tree. Next to the Amaltas tree. And people too- even with their physical appearances changing. There finally is acceptance that the childhood security that my heart always craves for- is there, changing in its own ways, but remaining constant just the way they always have been.
