(Lee Ann Womack’s beautiful song “I hope You’ll Dance” is the inspiration for this title 🙂 The video is embedded at the end of this post, dedicated entirely to an awesome dancer, in the family! The one who never sat out a single dance in the course of his life. My second born. Ashwin.
This one, sweetheart, is just for you. The song, I know, was written with you in mind. But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. This is getting to be really enjoyable, the build up each year, to 3 August; and I know this is one tradition I will keep, for as long as words allow themselves to be charmed into this space, for you. 🙂 🙂 Tradition. For this blog too! )
Right, before I go ga ga all over again, over my Lion Cub, I do want to share those “traditions” :D. It started in 2009, with “The Right Age”, the went on to “For My Little One” (incidentally he’s a few millimetres short of being 6 ft tall 😀 😀 ), to when he flew the coop, in “When Nestlings Fly”, and Metamorphosis and settled in with “Pride” in 2010 and 2011, last year. And here is where he tells me it’s no fun doing something unless your mom says NO. So it is 3 August again, and, as my kids in school say, “his happy birthday”! 😆
What can I say, or wish him, that I already have not? Would you believe, I can 😀 (Ah! and you thought, here she is, quite having run out of more words, will allow us to listen to that song, and be done wishing him! But oh no…!) Oh yes, I can! *gleeful, evil grin on her face, and she anticipates the dammed words waiting to break and flow* … pun intended! 😆
Boy oh Boy! Am I going to enjoy this! *lifts fingers from keyboard long enough to rub her hands in glee* 😀
So here goes… 🙂
Years before, as a timid, tiny lion cub, you always made me wonder how you’d find your feet. I know, NOW, I needn’t have worried! Your feline sense of balance would help you land, feet firmly on ground, steady as ever.
Today, I want to extract each memory, as if from a pensieve, each shimmering thought strand, playing out a favourite scene of you, of how you used to be, of how we used to be… 🙂 (I wish I had those photos too, to go with these threads :), but could only manage these mobile pictures of photographs from the old albums 🙂 )
You, Achukkutts…
… your grudging smile, reserved ONLY for family and Anu/Ani, the little girls from the ground floor of the barsati we lived in, in Delhi (Just look at you, above.. 😀 That is how you were most of time, till you turned about 2 and a half years old 😛 )
… of how you idolized your big brother, right from the beginning and how you fought so hard with him later; and how I’m accused even now ( 😆 ) of being partial 😛 😛
… of your reluctant, first, LATE baby step – so terrified of gravity – after having done EVERYTHING else in record time: turning over ALL by YOURSELF, in 2 months flat! IMAGINE!!! Never thought it would take you over a year to walk!
… your charming smile; how everyone loved to see it; how hard they tried to make you, and how you just did NOT! 😀 Ask Chitta 🙂
… how once you discovered that smile, you showered it with so much joy on all and sundry, and how you still do… Padmaja Teacher (HOD, Social Science) refers to you even now as a “smiling baby” 😛 😛
… how you made friends slowly, and how they always were forever 😀
…how you make friends so darned fast, these days 😀 😀
… your Gita Chanting feats, and “Sherwood”, that memorable year, when you wowed me with your recitation! I still wonder at it!!!
… that proud moment, when you and Lakshmi became Vikramsila House Captains, and more so, the jubilant moment, when your house was Champion House!!! Those were days!!!
…how we pored over those Hotel Management courses, and that online test for MS Ramaiah! R.O.F.L.
… and how you went and became an engineer, with the huge rank you had 😛 :P, with a course you wanted, in a college you wanted! Oh yes! you had your guardian angel watching over you. Still do 🙂 Achamma 🙂
…. and asking me if you could pierce your ears! High point. 😀
…. and announcing you found your soulmate… boy! was I jealous 😛 :P!!! Not anymore, dont worry, N!! 😀 😀
…and growing wings, trying them out, and sailing out, smooth and fluent, and free…. 🙂
I miss you. But I know you’ve gotta do what you gotta do, and be where you have to be 🙂 Life’s quirky ways. We know, don’t we, that’s the way we are, and no matter what you’ll always be the baby in my arms,
from twenty odd years ago, no matter you’re a hulking handsome young man now 🙂 🙂 Hugs, big huge bear hugs, my dearest!
Happy Birthday, Ashwin! You should be here, with me, considering this is the last bachelor party you’re going to have, for your birthday :D! May you be just as sweet, just as strong, just as fair, and just as loving, as you have always been. May God bless you and keep you safe, always. May you ever be loved, and may you always find love, in each and every moment of each day… especially when you’re down 🙂 May you always be in high spirits, and may the world take its cue from you, on how to be the best you can! I do love you so!
And here it is finally:
“I hope you dance” by Lee Ann Womack 🙂
And another one, so so beautiful, it made my cry 🙂
I found them both at this place 🙂
From 31 July to…1 August 2012
For 3 August, 2012.
Scheduled post 🙂
August 3, 2012 at 12:11 am
Whoaaaa!! this was aWesOme!!! 🙂 i had to stumble and jump over lines and cross-references till i reached here.. *puff, pant, heave, sigh…*
So beautiful!!! Cheers to both of you!
..and best birthday wishes to Ashwin!
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August 3, 2012 at 12:15 am
David! Thank you so very much 🙂 And yes, LOL @ all those criss cross references 😀
Thanks again! God Bless!
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August 3, 2012 at 12:15 am
I bet you had awesome fun putting this together.. the memories, the photos, everything rushing together and the excitement…. i could actually imagine you “gleefully rubbing hands” when you did!
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August 3, 2012 at 12:23 am
I had the AWEsomest time, really 🙂 🙂
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August 3, 2012 at 12:26 am
Now, where did they put the “super like” button?? huhh? *sports a one eye-browed frown…*
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August 3, 2012 at 12:28 am
Well, seriously… *left eyebrow raised,in questioning exasperated manner*.. where is it? I kinda like this myself 😛 😛
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August 3, 2012 at 12:18 am
A very very very happy happy birthday to Ash!! 🙂 May you be blessed with all the joy, good health, love and success, all through!! May the coming year mark the best, in every way it is meant to, beautifully so 🙂 🙂 Loadsa love to you, Ash!! God bless!!
Usha ma’n! Whoa, I had a lump in my throat reading this post…Oh so lovely, the pics and the words. Wonderfully wonderful 🙂 I would never have believed Ash could go without smiles, not even for a moment!!! Hehe. Loved this! Love love and more love to all of you ❤
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August 3, 2012 at 12:21 am
To add, the links you shared were truly beautiful 🙂
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August 3, 2012 at 12:29 am
Ah yes… the links… gosh so much of research went into this post you know? 😛
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August 3, 2012 at 12:25 am
Sashu, I knew you would be here 🙂 Thank you too, so very much sweets 🙂
Oh yes, he never never smiled except for his family, for nearly 2 years, would you believe! And now? he always does 🙂 🙂 Crazy no?
Love you too… and thank you… 🙂 Means so very much to me, and I know, to Ashwin 🙂
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August 3, 2012 at 12:21 am
Happy Birthday Chottu-chetan!
Wishing you the bestest birthday ever!
Although you weren’t one of my favorite brothers growing up (You Know Why :P) , I’ve always had a special soft corner for you. Your warmth and smile makes everyone feel at ease instantly and I’m so lucky and proud to have a cousin like you.
Happy Birthday Chotu!
Have a great day!
Yours
Malu
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August 3, 2012 at 12:26 am
Malu 🙂 You absolute darling! Thanks! This is really getting to be awesome now that you are here too 🙂 Bless ya :D!
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August 3, 2012 at 12:22 am
Awww!! Amma this is so freaking awessome!! Love it to the core!! And thank you for htis!! Lotsa memories and this made me cry!! I love you!! :*
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August 3, 2012 at 12:23 am
Slowly, read all the comments too … over the next few days as well, tto! Hugs! God Bless, always!
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August 3, 2012 at 12:27 am
Awww… I kinda had tears, as I put it together… esp today 🙂 🙂 God Bless!
I lubb you too 😀 😀 :*
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August 3, 2012 at 12:40 am
no.. thankyou for posting it :).. cuz i got to kno how ash became.. well.. ash.. 🙂 was such a refreshing read.. Happie b’day ashwin..
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August 3, 2012 at 12:43 am
Neeti!!! Thank you 🙂 But why “no”?? Lol! How Ash became him….? The pictures themselves tell a story dont they? I didnt need the words, really 🙂 🙂 But then I dont know how to stop them either! Thank you so very much dear dear neeti 🙂 Hugs and Mwah!!
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August 3, 2012 at 12:55 am
Okay, we have a good enough number here now at this wonderful time and this special day *two thumbs up* – so let the party begin! \m/
Can somebody slide the music volume several notches please – the lyrics are already here! 😀
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August 3, 2012 at 6:09 am
I partied all the way into my sleep and in it too 😀 And still partying into the day, even though it’s inside my head and heart 😛 Thanks so much for joining in with such enthusiasm 🙂 🙂 Great to have you on the blog once again! 🙂
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August 3, 2012 at 8:32 am
hey ma ride buddy…a veryyyy happpy bdayy…i gues this one is ya last bday as a bachelor…:p :p..so njoi the last bday of freedom..lol..just kiddin…hav a gud one bro…:))
n aunty…this blog is so amazin n sweeeet…gud job..:))
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August 3, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Abey 🙂 Thank you so much! Lol @your take on his being the last birthday as a free bird 😀
Thank you for being here too, to share in our joy!
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August 3, 2012 at 1:45 pm
nicely done… the right mix.. dint cry though 😛 The entire life scripted into a few lines.. pretty amzing job at that. And neetis got a sneak peak into the past.. well she has an entire library at her disposal.. all she has to do is marry him 😛 😛 waiting for that now….
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August 3, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Hahahaha! Arjun you said it! An entire library and resource persons too! 😛 Thank you sweetheart 🙂
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August 3, 2012 at 5:55 pm
You know when they say words are not enough?This is one of those times. The pics speak of endless love and a bond that’s beyond comprehension……god bless.
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August 3, 2012 at 5:58 pm
(((((Hugs)))))) Meggie 🙂 Thank you 🙂 And God Bless! Loads of love to you too!
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August 3, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Hmm..jealous!
I wish I had a mom like you, Usha teacher!
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August 3, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Incidentally, you do 🙂 🙂 Me.
Thank you Govind 🙂 🙂 The World is coming together here :D!
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August 5, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Wow.. Such a cute sweet post for your son.. Isn’t he lucky..:)
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August 6, 2012 at 12:51 pm
lovelly beautiful post so rich full of memories…absolutely gorgeous and heart warming
and that second pic of angry baby Ashwin ..stole my heart..oh my god what a cute angry baby he looked..
and now a comeplete handsome dude.
wish him a beautiful future full of love,luck and happiness..God Bless
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August 7, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Sorry to be late with my thanks, Soma 😀 Was going through the old posts for Ashwin and found this 🙂
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August 6, 2012 at 9:13 pm
What an awesome post Usha 🙂 Once again, many many happy returns of the day to your lion cub 🙂
“… of how you idolized your big brother, right from the beginning and how you fought so hard with him later; and how I’m accused even now of being partial”
That sounds oh so familiar! 😀
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August 7, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Shail 🙂 sorry I’m late with my thanks!
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August 11, 2012 at 12:39 am
Hi there… reached here quite by chance. First just glimpsed through the photos and then wanted to read the story that made these pics. It was really beautiful. Not mushy, but beautiful. And thanks for two beautiful songs too! Think I will come back here 🙂
Cheers
Cris
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August 7, 2018 at 12:18 pm
Cris!!! Your first visit here, and I have quite quite been remiss in letting you know of my thanks 🙂 Thank you!
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March 24, 2014 at 3:39 pm
There are tears as I read this Usha ! So touching and so much from the heart ! Hugs mommy…
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August 7, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Uma! ❤ Thank you! Sorry to be later with this!
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