Wednesday, December 31, 2008

new year memories

So it's another year. What's so special about January 1, just another day in an endless run? Nothing, really, except that like certain other days in the calendar, it brings back specific sets of memories. It's Appa's birthday, of course, and like Ananya said, any new year celebration at home was a double bill, including wishes for his birthday. And then twelve years ago Sita athai passed away, so the day carried bittersweet memories, of birth, death and everything in between.

The past year especially has seen a lot of losses, a sort of "passing of the old guard"--Appa, Ekanna, Nagaraja periappa, Periya manni, and finally Gurupa. But I suppose in a way when people leave it prompts us to think of them even more than when they are still around. They "settle" into a space in our minds to be recalled whenever we need to feel their presence.

And I'm sure Appa's having a great birthday, wherever he is, with all those who have passed into that other realm with him!

As the year turns...

Amma, Appa, Amamma, Sudha Chitti, Achala and i have just finished watching "Mama Mia!" and wait impatiently for the clock to strike twelve so that we can all say, "Happy New Year" and hit the bed! There doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm in any of our actions, it's just like we're staying up because we have to!
Usually, on new year's eve we (Amma, Appa, Achala and I- and sometimes Amamma) used to stay up watching movies and Thatha would go to sleep. At 12 all of us would go down, wake him up and sing "Happy Birthday"! It was tons of fun! It was like there was something to look forward to... but now, there's NOTHING... But why the sudden change?
A year ago, exactly a year ago, no one would've expected the year 2009 to arrive without the shrieks of "Happy Birthday Thatha/Appa!" Now i sit here wondering how fast things happened. I mean one day i was sitting with Thatha discussing which IPL match we should attend and the next day i was watching the IPL without him.
2008 has really "zoomed" by, and i don't think many of us have had the chance to sit back and think about the things that have happened. I for one have been way too busy with school and cricket to really reflect on the events that have occurred this year. I guess that's the way things were supposed to be- maybe Thatha never really wanted us to reflect on the year gone by?
All things said and done, 2008 has been a pretty good year for me. Apart from the loss of an ardent supporter I have done well- and so has Indian cricket! Thatha would be REALLY proud!

This is to a new beginning-
I hope 2009, doesn't pass as fast as 2008 did! Happy New Year, everyone!

-Ananya