Loosing Apron Strings

Tiny chubby fingers uncurl
From older hands…

They move, wider, surer
They reach out, and grasp

That handful of opportunity
That beckons, tantalizingly

Always a measure beyond
Always seemingly unattainable.

And so, they move,
On belly, then on fours…

Raise themselves, at first tentative
But the steps get firmer, surer

Blindly stumbling, falling, rising
Walking, walking, suddenly racing…

All in no Time, while time stands still
They’re up, and running, gleefully,

Shouting, cheering, in wild abandon
Throwing the right number on the dice

That will take them a pace closer
To the rungs of the ladder on the board game of life

(And so you throw that number, except that it’s loaded
And I’m glad, for one, this game isn’t just one of chance.)

Oddly bereft, odder still, in relief…
I see the light, and though sad, I’m thankful:

The apron strings have loosened…

1045 hrs, 15 Jaunuary, 2012

Godspeed Ashwin! Keep flying high, and keep your cheerfulness up, ALWAYS! With all my love

An August Month :)

I’ve always liked August. Of course, the most basic reason being it is a birthday month, but more than that, the name itself. There is something, isn’t there, about how August it is. In August.

It’s the time when rains intensify, then slack. It is the time when festivities fade, then rise, in anticipation. The time when Onam slowly unfolds, around the corner. The time when a brief ten day vacation happens (if one is lucky to have the Thiruvonam during the August part of Chingam maasam ).

It is the month when two of my Lion Cubs were born. The Second Born, and his brother, and comrade-in-arms, Kiran.

It’s that time when I remember Indygurl and miss her, all the more; for she is a Lioness too, having made her mark on this Universe, on 2 August, years ago.

This year, August is special. It’s a time when fruition comes to be. Of hopes, wishes, desires, aspirations. Kindred hearts, mirrored souls, a season of ripening, of the fruit of sweet love.

John Keats’ “Ode to Autumn” has always reminded me of August, ever since this vibrant lecturer read it out to us in College. The sheer golden sheen, the warmth of sun-flecked nature, the call of something beyond…

It is a time, this time, to spend in remembrance of a warm soul I met last year. Someone who keeps me going, when things seem tough. Someone who did not spend enough time in this world, but sped on Angel Wings, to keep other Angels, like her, company. Someone who lives on, regardless. Tejaswee.

It’s that time when life meets life anew, when love beckons; when slowly, but surely, the threads weave closer, forming patterns designed so long ago; inter-twining memories, making fresh ones, to take in the journey forward.

Yes, it’s August

So Happy Birthday, my dearest little One, Ashwin, for the third! May your footsteps always travel upon promising paths, and find each journey exciting and successful! May joy and love hound those footsteps ever!

And Happy Birthday, dearest Kiran, for the sixth, for the brilliant ray of Sunshine you will ever be, to me. All smiles, and pure wit

Happy Birthday, dear Lioness, Meggie aka Indyeah for the second! How I do long to hear from you again!

And Happy Birthday, to a dear dear dear beloved daughter, Neeti… , for the thirtieth of the month. More August a date I have to know

Happy Anniversary too, to My EB and ESis in law, for the thirtieth  oops, thirty first.  Also my YB and Y Sis in law’s! You two couples rock!

Praveen, cannot help but remember, and wish you, for the third! Happy Birthday!

The thirty first of July, 2011

(An under 500 word post. A first time surely, except for the 55 ers here )

Metamorphosis :)

I’ve always wondered what it is with change that simultaneously fascinates, frightens, freaks one out, and sometimes repels But always but always brings a sense of wonder. As I feel today!!

Today I write about one that has unfolded before my eyes, that took place for me and others, because it changed him. Whom? The little one of course About whom, I have shared, here and here and here !

From the shy and reserved and icky picky baby he was to shy little cub he slowly grew to be, flowering slowly but surely, smiling more, making friends quietly, he finally came to his own in his high school and later in college, when he assumed his rightful place as Lion of his Pride (Lol! He was House Captain, in his final year at school,  and President of his Civil Engg. Branch Association at College )!

Yes, he is a Leo. And yes, he seems to reflect most of the characteristics (he discovered the joys of reading fairly recently, and more so, Linda Goodman’s “Sun Signs” from my collection ); I always thought he might by one of the quieter lions. I now realize there are no quiet ones I have come across , yours truly included !!!

He’s now gone off, to attend his first interview, on a job hunt, to Bangalore. I know he will be satisfied with how he does, though he will want to constantly push his limits And it will not matter much, the result, because he’s got so far on his own steam, and will propel himself further. Something I never thought I’d really see, but then there he is… All those Leo characteristics cannot be hidden under any bushel I guess

It’s his birthday today. I hope he’s given the best present ever, when he makes it through this day With Pride.

Happy birthday, Ash You’re the best!!!

And may God Bless you, always!!!

I guess I’ll never tire of saying this : There is nothing you cannot do, Ashwin!!! And, I know you know it too!!! Therein lies the magic that is YOU!!!

Muah!!!

Belated wishes (only a day late , for 2 August ) to another gorgeous Leo… our very own Lioness, Indygurl :) She’s in another universe right now, but I know we all miss her, and our blessings are with her 

May the best and most wonderful things always but always happen to you too, Abhi Love you!!!

3 August, 2010

7.30 am

Edited to add: As of this minute, as I type, at 1655 hours (so, my computer tells me)I am glad and proud to share with you the info. that Ash has made it thru’ the selection round, and got in… It’s a big thing, because it is all HIM Thanks for your prayers and wishes

The Right Age

When I tried those stilettos,
His deeply disapproving look
Simply served to fuel my determination:
I bought them.

The other day, I coloured my hair;
And he caught me in the process.
His exasperated, quizzical sigh
Ensured it had to be added to my routine!

And, if ever, I take the wheel,
(When he magnanimously
Grants me the opportunity)
Gosh! It’s all I can do
(As I listen to him droning on
About my nonexistent -to him-
Driving skill)
To not ram into the nearest tree-
Deliberately, I might add!

Still, I must admit:
He’s the one to soothe my frayed nerves;
And never complain, at the black coffee
He gets, when I forget the milk is over;
He’s the one, who’s seen me through
Dark and desperate storms of tears
When our dog took a walk, at midnight,
Without my permission!
He’s the patient tutor, for all those Football Matches
EPL or Champion’s League or La Liga…
And the endless laps of the Grand Prix;
I drive him crazy, as Hamilton drives to victory!

He’s the one who’s held me up
When my back gave way;
And made me laugh,
When it threatened to Rain, deep in my Heart!

And finally, no matter how misbehaved I am,
His final salvo, as he shouts:
“Grow up, MA!!”
Assures me, as nothing else does:

I am the Right Age!!!

13 April, 2008
For Ashwin, the second born