Man's best friend

Ever wondered why dogs have been labelled man's best friends? Probably because they have this innate ability to hang on to the pup within them... forever prancing and excited, believing in and searching for goodness and happiness in the world around them? Retaining trust in their masters inspite of many-a kick or walloping at times.. Grabbing every morsel of Life... every moment of their lives.

The very qualities that we, their icons, seem to have lost somewhere along the way in the march towards civilization..I never cease to be amazed at how every iota of love we give, magnifies itself in their hearts to proportions that fill up the skies of our homes...

This is for you, Zorro- my one-year old Bhutia... the most adorable and intelligent best friend that we have:))) And for you, Candy-the delightful Pom-Apso... our darling and part of our world for the 22 years of her life that she shared with us.

All those who shake their heads and say they cannot stand pets.. think again! Dogs are the children we have, that wont even grow up into adulthood. They will always remain the prancing, excited, happily wagging tails..that may wreck havoc at times .. but never fail to dispel loneliness or empty spaces in your heart and home:))

Right-side-up

Life is a roller-coaster, a veritable cauldron of emotions, experiences, excitements and the humdrum mundaneness..that somehow balance each other out. Looking at fading pictures (that kindly helpful technically inclines well-wishers brighten up for me!) and grown up children, greying friends and  sometimes creaking joints, my mind goes into flashback mode and I can almost hear the sounds of Life..as it used to be.... before it became used-to-be..
Two of us in this 28-roomed mansion, trying not to get lost..in the confines of our now tiny boundaries... giving space, taking space... and getting "spaced out" of our minds. Its strange how two people who have grown together, share beliefs and values, respect and love, children and pets, ups and downs.. suddenly reach out to clutch separate straws to survive. Each lost in spaces vaster than these 28 rooms...
there is so much work, so many friends, so much society drumming its presence into every neuron, every sinew, every synapse of our lives.. yet at times the desolate empty spaces reach inwards into my soul. The loneliness surfaces from the bubbling cauldrons of days and nights..and spreads its tentacles into reason and sanity.
The world looks strange upside down..
Valiantly attempting to snap the icy bonds of negativity and sadness, I find myself reach for the cyber world..switching on a netbook here, a PC there, mobiles inbetween.. searching searching..for some denizen of the so-called artificial world.. to share a thought, a dream, a word. And lo and behold! Two cheerful, happy, warm, loving green dots light up.. and engulf my dimming world with brilliant sunshine ... A "Hi", a "moment "shared, a loving "Good Night", and a signing off "I Love you mom".. and I am Right-side-up again :-))))
Thank you Aanchal. Thank you Brat:-)
You don't know how much these tiny gestures mean to my ricketty, topsy-turvy world :-)

Happy Basant Panchmi..

Nothing has any meaning without the children around - Holi, Diwali, Basant... Was a time this day would dawn (at 4 am???) with a cold face pressed to mine, with washed dripping hair.. and an excited voice saying "Good Morning, Mom... Dont get up.. my friends and I are going up to the rooftop to begin flying kites"!!

Next, the Red Indian calls of "Kaatteeyyyy" would fill the air, as boys from all the neighboring rooftops would engage in an enthusiastic competition on who cut how many kites :-) Blaring music would rent the air from assorted DJ sound systems already fitted up there their previous evening- each playing different popular punjabi rap / film songs!

The day would carry on with countless kites dotting the sky with the colours of the rainbow, and snacks, lunch, soft drinks served on the terrace..as the rest of us - Aanchal, Shalu, Rajiv and I joined Brat atop the roof and took turns at flying kites.
Awoke this morning- hearing the very same calls and music, but on other rooftops...
Miss you, Saahil. The rooftops of my life are empty and bare without you home...
Love you:-)