Getting together to remember appa...while there was emotion and regret and sadness, the overwhelming feeling was one of togetherness, and gratitude that we are a family that feels together.
When I woke up in the morning, the first thought to strike was...if he were here. And the other thoughts followed in quick succession, and this is what I wrote--
When I turn on the radio
and listen to Shruti on WorldSpace,
Or Ananya asks if I will drop her
at cricket practice;
Or I hear the swish of the garden hose
and the echo of a "good morning"
as Subramaniam the watchman opens the gate;
Or Dhoni scores a six
and bad fielding upsets a game;
Or when I butter my toast in the morning;
Or pick up the paper
and look at the Sudoku squares;
and at old cassettes on the book rack;
When we go to Utsav
and bring back five toothpicks...
If he's here at all these moments
that make up my days--
then why do I worry?
He's only a thought away.
2 comments:
the five toothpick ritual will always continue!
Hi Usha,
Sushila, my sister, told me about this blog of yours today and so here I am. This is Saraswathi (Saraswathi Nilakantan..maiden name)and I am writing this from Los Angeles which is not-so-sunny today.
Just wanted to let you know that I have some very fond memories of your Dad and your Mom. When we lived in Tarnaka, Uncle Pattabhi would drop in and I remember him as having the most friendly smile and lovely personality. There was a rapport between my Dad & yours and I think it just spilled over to us sisters as well. I love the pic you have of him..........though my memories of him are still frozen in time of a much younger looking Uncle.
Please give my regards to your mom and if you are ever in this part of the world, please let me know! I would love to hear from you.
Saras Kollengode
sarask@gmail.com
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