“We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness”

Isn’t this true? I guess we all go through this…when you analyze certain things which you never thought of and now when you see things happening in certain way, you just believe in miracle!

"The miracle of friendship can be spoken without words...hearing unspoken needs, recognizing secret dreams, understanding the silent things that only true friend know."

Where as sometimes it’s the other way ;)

A point to ponder! What my friends say about this?

"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change." ~ Buddha

“Everyone has a "best friend" during each stage of life-only a precious few have the same one.”

It was like yesterday when I was talking to someone called Carol Daniel about her Zellers Credit Card, how she can benefit if she ties it with our bank CIBC ;)
Carol, for me a white woman who from the other end asks me where I am from and that she loves my English :D…!
When she came to know about India and the costumes of South Asians she got so excited and she said my husband loves Indian women and the saree too! I would love to buy one but here you don’t get it!
To this I jumped and said, well you do get sarees if you visit Gerard Street – the Indian markets in Toronto and she said well they are very expensive.
This made me think, big deal I can get it for her cheaper that too from India ;) it was the mid month of November and I thought let it be a Christmas gift from my end to her :D

“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” ~ Henry Ford

I really don’t know what made me think so and I just said this to her without thinking! But I made sure I have her favorite color etc. She was very happy to hear but then she thought probably I am joking and so she took my number, just in case!
I went home that day and called mum and gave the details.
She did purchase and sent it across, and one fine day I meet Carol Daniel – a short lady around 4”5’ in height and her hubby Stuart Daniel 6”2’ :D
It was my first time that any stranger was invited in my house. I was not prepared for this at all…as may be I didn’t want to! I wanted to be what I am and not make any change just because for what they are!

“A friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself.” ~ Jim Morrison

I had roti in my house and I had made some (aloo sabzi), potatoes vegetable and with some mango pickle I treated them with afternoon lunch! Meanwhile we had a good exchange of introductions and I made Carol wear the saree and decked her up with make up and some jewelry that will go with her saree! Her husband was so happy, in fact Carol was more touched to see how I was happily doing everything for her!

I was all alone here and hence for me it felt like I got someone whom I can trust and make friends with…and yes indeed the understanding was mutual!

“Every time I hold you I begin to understand, that everything about you tells me you're my best friend.”

For Carol I quickly made potato salad and Stuart ate the roti and aloo sabzi! He liked it so much that he asked me to pack some for his next day’s office lunch …lol!
He was a guy who ate all kinds of food – spice was not a question even though next morning he had some difficult time :D

Christmas was just 4 days away and Stuart asked me so you are going to be with your family for the Christmas and I said, I have no family here…:D, but yes I will go around and see the lights and decorations ! He was totally surprised at this and he said if what you said is true then please allow us to make you our guest for Christmas and you will come and stay with us from Dec 24th itself !

That day and after that I never felt I was alone….after my parents house I never felt so close and homely at any other place than Carol’s!

“The best things in life are never rationed. Friendship, loyalty, love, do not require coupons.”

Carol, is a person whom once loved she will love you till the end and yes she did!
Its been 1 ½ years that she left all of us for her heavenly trip! But for some reason I don’t feel that she is away or gone!
Yes its true as her love and presence is still in my heart and mind fresh as it is! She used to love green and yellow color!
I miss her often and did more when the other day I heard Elvis singing ‘are you feeling lonely’ he was her favorite singer….I have seen many crazy people, crazy fans…even I am one of the crazy person but Carol exceeded all…I could see her always with Elvis songs on CD or video, her bedroom comforter, her calendar, her t-shirt, infact even her pet dogs name is Elvis.
She was a crazy gal :D….I pay my tribute to her…and want her to know that I still love her and miss her a lot!

“You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu”

“There is no feeling more comforting and consoling than knowing you are right next to the one you love.”

“For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.”

"An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow"

“If the people were a little more ignorant, astrology would flourish - if a little more enlightened, religion would perish”

It was morning 10:00 a.m. and the doctor seemed so tired when I looked into her eyes.

Just that I couldn’t stop myself I asked her – Dr what happened you look very tired and its only 10, seems like you had a late night!

"These days you must be feeling tired and your legs must be paining...Don't worry,...Its only because you've running in my mind day and night!!"

She said oh yes! Around 2:00 a.m. there was a delivery case and it lasted for 2 hours as it was normal delivery.

It just struck to me, oh! Yeah, if it was cesarean then one doesn’t have to go at such odd hours.

That’s when she shared another incident where she said, I have this girl who is scheduled for cesarean and somehow I tried to fit it as per the date that she wants it to be done however she is not happy and is crying and begging to operate her at certain time, which is totally not in the hands of the doctor.

"Every convenience brings its own inconveniences along with it."

I was a bit confused when doctor said as per the astrological readings there is a certain time when the baby should be born! I was surprised and was wondering what a dilemma for the doctor but then I asked does anyone else entertain like this…since this is America and do they know what all these- stars, astrological timings has to do with the birth of a child and guess what the entire hospital (which has people from almost all parts of the world), is aware of this fact :D!

The doctor looked at the crying to be mother and asked her you are an engineer and even you also behave like this then whom should we look for support :D

"Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy: the mad daughter of a wise mother" ~ Voltaire

All these conversations made me think….! How important is it to be born at a certain time and date of the year and month? This case cesarean can be still planned but in olden days even cesarean kinds were last minute so …what’s the fate of the child that is born at such circumstance? Will he/she be treated differently just because he/she was not born at the good time and date that the astrology supports? How such a thing can be handled?

"Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait" ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I never believed in astrology, I am a strong believer of karma and hence may be its because of my up bringing and the place that I have been but still I have seen some strong supporters who don’t even make any decisions until the astrologer asks them to do so and convinces them the good results of that time and date.

"I have no regrets in my life. I think that everything happens to you for a reason. The hard times that you go through build character, making you a much stronger person."~Rita Mero

A very good example can be seen about Abhishek and Ash :D….I would say what a marketing is that for the astrologer that am sure by now that guy must have his appointments booked until the end of 2008 :D!!!!

"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart."~ Marcus Aurelius

Somehow lately, with the dates and timings…my mind is going gaga over all such instances…what is good? What is not? But my heart says its all in the karma of oneself
:D

"Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny."

What do my friends have to comment on this? I know there are people who are strong believer but I would like to hear them too… :D

Tell me what makes the difference?

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

“Whatever with the past has gone, the best is always yet to come.”

“Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.”

Manish, Many Happy Returns Of The Day…:D
I know this day is special for many Indians too due to Makarsankranti, Pongal and so on :D so
Happy Makarsankranti To All
I still remember the time when your critic nature attracted me and I started following your posts on the Urdu site :D…and always used to wonder when this guy will read my poetry and comment…:D, as it was not only your sincere critic but also the taste of music that was similar to my choice and the thinking aspect…yes we match in so many aspect and that made us what we are today :D!
You had tested my patience I guess, as I had to remind you that you have to visit to amateur section to read my poetry.
I am not sure but its been almost 5-6 years to our friendship and I can say we do share the silence together as well :D

Happy Birthday Dost and I do cherish our friendship in every aspect :D

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. ~ Anais Nin

Who takes the child by the hand, takes the mother by the heart

She is always very cautious and society fearing yet she has a very strong willpower.

Once she decided she is bound to do it, strive and achieve was her motto.

That’s how she completed her studies and moved to a different city, as she was determined to get a job specially when people used to talk about marriages for her :D

Though she was cautious her teaching was always to stand on your feet! Be independent as one never know what may happen in future. I kind of took this so seriously in life that…study and then career became my motto but I was the black sheep in the family who always questioned and looked for a logical/scientific reasoning for most of her myths/teachings which she got from her mother.

I have troubled her so much that many times she used to get angry saying you and your scientific reasoning…it was fun though but in reality I was trying to find my own answers, trying to justify my beliefs and thoughts!

Out of all her strict nature, she was a good friend always wanted me to look like a cute chic…her selection of clothes which I never had to complain about! I remember she was not only my friend but was friend to many others who were not closer to there mom’s but yet used to find her the best friend ~ yes she is my MOM :D

"Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty"

That’s how she is and I feel so proud in saying so and wishing her good health and happiness always, specially when its her birthday on January 11^th

A time was there when I used to be so scarred of her and was unable to understand the love hidden in her anger and scolding and now when I have grown enough to understand those days love and affection, today she is like a kid….when its comes to her getting angry …I sometimes think she never grew up as her family never allowed her to :D…her sisters and even younger brothers always treated her like a baby sister and hence she never grew up even when I was a kid and neither when I have grown today :D

"There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. ~Chinese Proverb"

Mom, I just want to express my feelings for you through this post here today.

Many Happy Returns Of The Day….!

I remember teasing you always by budding with dad and your childishness was so visible then also when you really used to get bugged as I paired with dad and not with you :D

Mom that was my love…hope you understand that!

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
~George Cooper

“Now it seems to me that love of some kind is the only possible explanation of the extraordinary amount of suffering that there is in the world.”

This morning when I got up a word stuck into my mind…’suffering’! When I looked outside my bedroom window, I saw its dark and cloudy and its raining!

My well known friends here must be very well aware that how much I love rain :D

And imagine the suffering of not getting into it and enjoy the showering of natures love :D

Besides all this even after taking flu-shots I have been stuck with cold so that adds another restriction for not being in the rain ….:D!

All this made me think, is it really suffering? As something that is suffering for one person could be pleasure to others!

"To become a spectator of one's own life is to escape the suffering of life."~ Oscar Wilde

I tried to justify myself, such as a drug addict, he will inject himself and when we see its so painful but ask that person and he will describe the pleasure of it! There can be ample of examples…a would be mother she suffers everything for the baby who is in her womb…if she is sick she will bear the pain but not eat the medicine as that might be harmful for the baby! But is it really suffering?

I think the mother would be enjoying that moment also by thinking about her baby’s health! So in short it gives the strength to bear all that and still face it with a smiling face!

When we do have fear in our mind at the same time we do have the strength within ourselves which we seldom forget !

Today, I learnt that there is nothing as such pain or suffering…its all mere what we project them as to…and if we all look at the positive aspect of it…there is strength which will describe us the pleasure of it rather the pain and suffering :D

I keep looking outside the window and its still dark and cloudy with rains, reminds me of my school days when all the tube lights used be on and we all kids playing and thinking about how we will go home after school and the teacher trying to grab everyone’s attention to teach the lesson!

I remember the wild imagination ran into my mind such that I wrote an essay and I got first prize for the inter-school competition!

My thoughts kept on lingering with my childhood rainy days! Look, I cant even go out and play but just have the pleasure by thinking of my those days when I used to enjoy the rain and never get sick :D

“Suffering, once accepted, loses its edge, for the terror of it lessens, and what remains is generally far more manageable than we had imagined.”~Lesley Hazelton

“Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.”

It was holiday season and really how time flew away being with friends…I just couldn’t make out about that :D

I thought I will start new year with some cool topics…but what happened while 2006 was ending…it makes me feel as if as the years are passing by we as human are getting worse!

I am talking about Saddam’s execution! I literally felt very bad for what was done…! I know he did crime on humanity but and still when they showed in the news about Saddam in my heart and mind I felt sad…and am proud to feel so as that shows I am still a human…I do have that element of humanism in me!

“Death is terrifying because it is so ordinary. It happens all the time.”

MK Gandhi had said if you take an eye for eye then this world will be full of blind people…and I don’t think what he said was wrong!!!

I think we are getting worse as the years are passing by, human element is getting eradicated and I believe no matter whose death it is but death not something which should be celebrated.

“Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.”