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Saturday, March 14, 2015

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish


The get together at the house of my aunt who had a huge house and an equally big heart were always memorable for us right from our childhood times! Each occasion was looked forward to , as it would give us an opportunity to indulge in lots of eating , playing cricket matches in the abandoned historical site across the road and later watching the movies on the TV. Be it a birthday, a festival or any occasion we would never give a miss to the invitations that came.  Time passed as we grew up and eventually parted for pursuing our own lives. We would catch up during vacations and share jokes, laughter and have fun!

A few years back, she returned from United States where all the cousins had migrated many years ago and now had their own grown up children. It was decided that we would meet during ‘Goverdhan Puja’ which falls just a day after the Diwali! It was decided that everyone would prepare a few dishes and then reach their place by 12 O clock to be together at ’Puja time’.

When we reached their place my uncle, aunts, their children, grandchildren and four generations were there. In all there were more than 70 people at home. Some had traveled long distances just to be there. The house reverberated with laughter and when the time for ‘Puja and Aarti’ came the ‘prasad’ ( food offered to god) comprised of more than sixty dishes ranging from all kinds of lentils, vegetables, sweets and savories all prepared at home! The aroma filled the air with all kinds of delicacies and the spread was very tempting.  We offered the prayers together and to see everyone participating with enthusiasm and vigor gave a feeling of true bonding and togetherness which had not diminished with the number of years that had passed. Our children were indulging in the games that we had indulged when we were young. Our uncle and aunts sat huddled together and played the game of cards just the same way that we had seen as small kids. On that day it appeared that the time had stood still. Small toddlers shrieked and created ruckus while the teens were busy discussing their aspirations and plans. The cousins who had returned from States had not changed a wee bit except for strands of greying hair. The purity of relationships had withstood the test of time and we remembered the pranks we used to play as kids. I remember when I was a small kid someone had asked me how many brothers and sisters were we? I had replied ‘almost a dozen and started telling the names’ . His eyes widened in disbelief and later he realized that all my extended family had been included in my count. Such was the innocence that would be looked upon as foolishness in today’s world! This was my world filled with love and optimism of ‘Stay Hungry and Stay Foolish’ the words uttered by Steve Jobs in his famous speech! (https://housing.com/)

19 comments:

  1. Made great reading.What an amazing get together !

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    1. Thankks Rama! Some things do not change with time including bonds of love:)

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  2. It is very gratifying to know that those we loved have not changed with time.

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    1. I consider myself lucky and blessed in this regard!

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  3. I feel great when meeting a friend or relative after a few months. Meeting your extended family after a few decades would be amazing.

    I myself have been at some get togethers, marriages etc., where I met some relative for the first time in my life, or saw someone's kids for the first time. You cannot imagine the happiness and awe of the younger generation at such occasions. The playing and conversing are just tip of the iceberg :-)

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  4. I am sure that feeling must have been very grtifying, KK! Thanks for reading!

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  5. Wise advice & happy remembrance, Rahulji.
    Times of togetherness always bring smiles & happiness & hope. Wonderful when the company is great!

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  6. We still maintain this.
    Every year all,cousins and their children get together a weekend before Diwali

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  7. What a lovely picture you have drawn about your meeting the family. Such memories are to be cherished forever.

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    1. Thanks a lot Rama! It is indeed difficult to exprsss the joy of such occassions!

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  8. I crave for such days. May be one reason, I look forward to wedding in my family. Priceless memories.

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    1. Agree Saru, big family get togethers are getting rare now!

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  9. I am so so so Glad that you all could get together and travel back in time and reflect upon all happy times. It's a bliss, isn't it? to love and be loved by so many friends and relatives. :) :D
    Regards..:)

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    1. Thanks a lot Monica! What you said is so true:)

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  10. Absolutely my thoughts, too Ashwini! Why go to hotels when you have so many cooks to spoil you for choices:)

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