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Tuesday, April 14, 2015

A Day to Remember


A slow trickle of guests started to come as my father was pleasantly surprised. It was his 75th birthday and we had kept it a closely guarded secret to celebrate the occasion. The preparations started almost a month in advance to send the invitations to all my uncles and aunts, their children and some very close friends. It was a hush affair to  ensure that the element of surprise is maintained.

On the D day I and my wife woke up early and most of the preparations were completed by the day break where the entire food was prepared at home with a helping hand from my side.  When my father woke up we wished him with a bouquet of flowers and then had a nice sumptuous breakfast while the telephone kept ringing every now and then for someone conveying the greetings and best wishes.

Around 11 AM the first guest appeared and till afternoon it was a grandiose affair. Around fifty guests had shown up and it was most satisfying to see the glint of happiness in his eyes as more people showed up. The food that was prepared started vanishing fast and everyone contributed to the event.  Someone refilled the glasses of cold drinks while others circulated the small eats! What came in as a pleasant shock was that the stuffed karelas were devoured off as small eats while the table was being laid for the lunch! It was a totally conventional food all cooked at home, comprising kabuli chana, jackfruit kofta, aloo subzi, pooris, dahi vada, stuffed capsicum and stuffed karela with raita!  The guests kept pouring in till past 4 pm and it was a celebration that became memorable for more than one reason. It was after a long time so many of our cousins and family members had been able to unite on the occasion! All the guests were thrilled to eat the home cooked food that had been prepared without giving a wind to what is cooking! By evening all the guests had left and my father looked jubilant with the surprise party that was thrown. The biggest reward for us that day was to see the gleam in his eyes for a small gesture for which my wife had spent long hours to make it a success. These are one of the few moments in life that go down the memory leaving a sense of satisfaction which no amount of money can buy.
PS:“I am participating in the #DilKiDealOnSnapdeal activity at BlogAdda in association with SnapDeal.”

14 comments:

  1. What a heartwarming post! It is always wonderful when our loved ones go a little out of the way to make something a little more special!

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  2. I dig such family celebrations - home cooked food, extending family and birthdays or anniversaries. As Akanksha said - a heartwarming read. Sir, even I can eat stuffed karelas as snacks. :)

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    1. I know how you would feel Saru, more so if you are attached with home:) You are welcome to eat stuffed karelas when you visit next!

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  3. A wonderful memory!

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  4. Thank you Ashwini for those kind words! BTW coming from Chennai Marathon champ it feels even better:)

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  5. Beautiful warm story, happiness and smiles of our loved ones is one of the richest treasures in our life.

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  6. I remember the time when we met and so you told me about him. It's a bliss to be having memories like this, the look on his face, the content is the payback for all efforts you and mam made..:)
    my regards to him..:)

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    1. Thanks Monica for reading and yesI remember it was very nice to meet you! A sincere thanks for all those beautiful words and am sure you must now be busy once again with studies!

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