My recent visit to home town (from 5th Sept to 27th Sept.2010

I am not a very frequent visitor to my home town. It is not because that I do not like to be there, but it happens like that. The home where I born,where I had my childhood spent, where I had the good fortune to experience the love and warmth of my parents, is a place very close to my heart. Infact, there is not a single day in life passing without remembering my home and my parents though memory is only now left of my Father and Mother. Ofcourse, that is the course of life one has to undergo without any exception. This visit is more important because of the fact that I had the opportunity to be there for more number of days than earlier visits. The reason is simple. Now, I am retired from my job and I did not have much to do in Bharuch where my presence was not inevitable. More over, my younger brother Babu also wanted our presence in his house as Mersy, his wife had been to Kuwait to take care of Manju and the new born for a month.
We,myself and my wife Pearline, never turned a blind eye to needy when needed and what to speak when it happens to be our blood which we value the most. I do not know what others feel.

It was on the 5th Sept. 2010, at about 6.30 am we started from Ankleshwar to Kollam, my home district. On 6th at about 6.00 pm we reached Kollam. Johnachyan,my elder borther alonwith Siju was in the Rly.Stn. to receive us as usual. We had the news even before we started that our eldest brother Thankachyan was hospitalised in Puthoor as there was a relapse of his old sickness. After reaching home and having a fresh up and some refreshment, we straight away went to the hospital to see my sick brother. Our eldest brother is a self-made man and for that matter I should say that all of us five brothers are of the same lot, may be with a slight variations here and there. Ofcourse, it it is nature's law that each one is a unique personality. Diversity, of course, is the charm of life. My eldest brother is slightly short tempered and adamant also. May be that his prolonged illness made him so. It took another week for him getting discharged from hospital. So, the first week of ours was spent mainly hospital visit etc.
On the following Sunday, as usual we attended the Qurbana at our Church and also had offered
special rememberence 'Qurbana' for our parents as our Mother's anniversary also was a few days ago. The 'Dupa prarthana' at our parents tombs was also got done.

Our stay was mainly in Babu's place. After a few days, stay, we were saddened by the news that our 'Bruno' was attacked by stray dogs at the servant's place and that his condition is very serious. We got upset, particularly Pearline lost her control as Bruno was too much attached her and infact, he is not a dog for us. I cannot explain. Those who know only knows the depth of the relation existing between Bruno and our famlily members. My son, Dickey rushed from Rajkot in the night and with the help of Kaushikbhai, our neighbour, done everything possible to save Bruno's life. God must have heard our prayers.

Ofcourse, as it is the case in almost our visits to Kerala, went to Parumala Church,Manarcad and Puthupally and light candles and offeres prayers.
We had a short visit to my eldest sister's place as usual.

On 27th Sept.2010, at 2.00 pm, we started from Home to begin our return journey.
It is a very hard experience for me to say bye to my brothers and all dear ones every time when I leave home. No exception this time also. I value relations beyond many things. I am short of words.

We reached back home on 29th Sept.2010 at about 6.30 am.
Ofocurse, Almighty God guided us.

Published on 17th Nov.2010.







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Some stray thoughts

Sometimes, I think, why those about whom we think most, do not appear to be concerned about our caring. Is that beyond a certain period, we have no say in their life ? It certinly cannot be.
Nurturing is incomplete if not guided reasonably towards a goal; a goal in cofirmity with the norms of the family, that of the society and above all which allows one to live a life keeping head above. Is it that everything being followed in the society, from time immemorial, are to be viewed so silly and blemish ? No, it cannot be. While one has every right to live a life of his choice, it is certainly not out of place for the guardian, who he might be to, to have some longings. I do not know whether my thoughts are extreme or natural, or coming out from the interiors of the heart of heart.
Posted on Aug.28, 2010.

Childhood memories-1

Memories still seem fresh of those days when I was a child of just 3 or 4 years old.
That day, the Saraswati Puja Day, holding my Appachan'(Dad's) fingers and walking towards the nursery,a day when I started my schooling. I was,perhaps, the shortest child in the group of about 30. My first Guru,Unni Asaan,caught my finger and made me write on the sand the letter 'Hari'. I paid him 'Guru Dakshina'- eight anna (today's 50 paise). I still feel the sweetness of the 'Palanthodan Pazham'( a variety of banana-small in size) which my Guru gave on that day. I did not cry like other small children on the first day, but I was happy. Holding again my Appachan's fingers I returned home. My Amma (mother) was waiting at the door-step and when I entered, she took me in her arms and hugged me.

Today,at the age of 62 I still feel the warmth of fingers which held my fingers to the nursery and the fingers which caught my finger and made to write on the sand the first letter and the arm which took me and hugged. I can only cherish my sweet memories.

July 24,2010