Summer Break - Concluding Part

Short and long trips outside of our town would be planned by my parents, often ending up with my mom taking us around!

Mumma always arranged for small picnics with the neighbours in the nearby parks, where we would carry our lunch or our supper and eat it together. Oh! running about in the park, getting wet in the water, and eating all that sumptuous food would make us wait for the next picnic:-)

In the evenings, all the kids of the colony would get together and play a million kinds of games - some old and some invented right there on the spot...my imagination at thinking of some of these would be forefront!

There are clear memories of us climbing the school flag staff that swung precariously from side to side - all for a bet and a sticker at that. But who cared, it was about winning all of them! Climbing trees to running over deep trenches to play tag, made us feel we owned the world. But, looking back I also think it taught us something very valuable in life - I can't put a finger on to what 'that' is, but I know it gave some kind of a survivor's confidence.

We chased pin wheels and raced bicycle tyres down all the slopes we could find and every time we fell or lost, just the act of swallowing those tears of humiliation I'm sure taught us something!

At home, the peak of summer was always the time for my mom's pickle making project! God! it was a BIG deal! The right kind of mangoes, the spices, the freshly squeezed oil - everything was meticulously planned and executed. The huge porcelain jars were cleaned and dried without the slightest trace of moisture. And on the day of execution, we could slice the tension with a knife and there would be a curfew on everything! Everyone had to bathe, eat early and be a part of the entire process carrying out her directions - step by step! Of course, the end result was equally perfect - the best mango pickle I have eaten so far :-) She then would distribute this to our friends and neighbours - no wonder all my friends called her 'Mother Teresa' :-)

Through all of this excitement, my dad would be missing. He built bridges and dams, hence his projects were outside of every town we lived in - so he would come home late every day. A good hot bath, a meal lovingly served by my mom, my chatter around a detailed account of everything we did through the day was his routine at the end of a tiring day.

But, somehow just the presence of my dad brought about an untold respect and tension in the house. During our exam time, I remember how I used to instruct the driver to honk while he turns the car into our street, so that I would sit upright and pretend to be engrossed in my books :-) Just having him enter the house made all scurry into their corners...and I in a twisted way reigned supreme, because I was his princess :-) I always had him carry out my every little wish, but at the same time he drew the line when it came to discipline. So, it was a weird balance!
But no wonder my friends called him 'Hitler' :-)

Every summer evening, our servant would lay some cots right under the trees in our compound, ready for the night! And the sight of those white bed sheeted beds under the sky was a sight way too tempting to stay indoors!

We would just lay there under the stars with the cool breeze, and then daddy would talk to me about everything. About life, politics, health, about human behavior, good values, and what he thought of various things!

That, I think was my real education - far removed from what any university or school could have ever taught me! To love, forgive and live life with all it's pain or pleasure very simple and straight.

I've seen a lot of life - both good and bad! I've been loved, worshipped, and hated. I have run away from things, I have faced the worst, I have hidden, and also have fought against many odds. But, every lesson he has taught me - has always come back to me. Some where, some place.

I've also met people who have taught me very valuable lessons - they have given me tons of love and goodwill, without expecting anything in return. Have done things for me that I would have never done for anyone - I'm grateful for all that they taught me. And I salute them with everything I have!

I've also met people who have broken my trust along with my faith, ridiculed my affection and have shattered my being while changing the very course of my life - I salute them too! I respect them for what they have taught me - without changing my sentiments and affection for them!

On this father's day - I want to thank my dad who has stood strong for me - held me in his strong arms when the big bad waves of life threatened to engulf me, held me in his embrace to tell me he was proud, put me on his shoulder - to laugh and to cry!

It saddens me immensely when I think how he would feel if he knew how his princess has roughed it out - has been walked over, torn apart, and hurt by the ugly face of life. But, he will be proud to know that I have stood strong with my head held high...stood by what I believed is right.

He has given me the dignity, the grace and the pride - to thank every great soul that has touched my life in some way! I salute all of them!

It is from the treasure he has given me, that I will pick the colors of love and forgiveness and paint this canvas of life...beyond hatred and beyond all limits....forever!

endarO mahAnubhavulu |
andarIki vandanamu ||

[loosely translated means - there are many great souls and I salute all of them! This is a beautiful Carnatic music song composed by Sri. Tyaagaraaja - listen and see if you can decipher the meaning - it is as if he has filtered the very essence of life and humility within it!]

Listen to it here :
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lML0wJaWBWw