Gratitude

33 years of “US”

Ensures

They say the 33rd anniversary is the porphyry anniversary, named after the deep purple gemstone. Purple is associated with nobility, which is sort of fitting to this co-passenger of my life, who reigns over me….errr… my heart. Your strength, kindness, and unwavering support has made this journey of blissful togetherness not only last long, but also royal. Happy 33rd to US, Dearest Aparna! As I mentioned earlier in one of my article, looking back I can say that I don’t mind getting stranded on an uninhabited island after a ship wreck if you are around (so that you can keep reminding me that it was my fault 🤪)

To write something year after year has never been difficult since there would always be something new and more to write. One of the greatest virtue is being “Mum” (Pun intended). Being Mum to lovely kids, biological and manasik. And being “Mum” and let all others talk (while you scheme 🤪)

Jokes apart, I repeat once again, I was lucky enough to have been blessed to be married to someone, not whom I can live with but whom I cannot live without. Nothing explains why and how it worked. It just did. God and Guru have been Kind. I have nothing else to say. But for those beginning on this journey, we would like to say, “It is never nor was it ever hunky-dory every moment. We have had our share of travails (but opting out was never even a passing thought). We sailed through, cheering each other up, supported by gems of Kids around us, but sail we did. WE HAD TO WORK TO MAKE THIS WORK” The key word is “We”. And with someone like Aparna around it only made it easier for everyone around.

You may not be the Eternal optimist who always saw the glass half full, instead of half empty but when it needs the most you ensured that anyone around you saw even an empty glass as an over-flowing one.

What an incredible journey of 40 years (informally when I met you first) and 33 as a couple. Ever grateful for being truly a “Better” half. And a song dedicated to you

A Bit Older and More Fabulous

Ensures

As you cross yet another landmark year on the planet, and looking back I can boldy assert to the world that you lived the saying “Be Kind, you will never regret that” Yes! Everything that you have done so far, has been making us parents so proud. I did mention just a couple of days ago, as we celebrated our 32nd Wedding Anniversary as to how you brought us to the threshold of wholesomeness of our blissful journey of togetherness and to make it so fulfilling once your brother came along, the brother who always looked up to you for everything, just like us.

Just as I return from Sabarimala on the Special Day. Arun Bombing this Picture made it even better

I still remember who you always used to tell people to make people laugh but never to laugh at them. What a nice thought! It is always a proud moment when we know we birthed someone who is humane and always find ways to do good to the world, without expecting the world to return any favour. I am not sure you remember what you said after an outing with under privileged children (not exactly these words but the purport is definitely this) – “I realised that the world is infinitely good to me, than I am to the world” What a wonderful thought darling!

Happy Birthday my Darling! I am truly blessed to have such a special princess in my life!

Yet another proudest moment was when you brought Anay into the world. While we have spent all these years watching you grow up and though many kept talking about the feeling any parent would have, We were not quite prepared for that day when you delivered Anay on October 11th, 2022 and for me to carry him on his first day is moment I can never describe in words.

When you consoled me and gave me strength – a few moments before Anay came along

Could not help to recall our momentous day on 3rd April 1993 when Aparna brought you, the gift of our lives. I tell you, the feeling of being a Grand parent is much more overwhelming, for which any human being should be proud of and remain grateful to a Daughter. Oh yes! Grateful to proud father of Anay and your other half and our Pride, Arun too. Just to keep looking at our little one grow up to deliver her little bundle of joy – as I said earlier, I was not prepared for that feeling on top of the world

Not just hair greying, I grew up a lot too
The moment!!!

A strong, lovely, kind woman with independence. I’m so proud to say you’re mine. It would not be an exaggeration to state that you made me realise more about me and the world around me, than anyone else. Do you know how beautiful the world is, with you in our life? If you don’t know, look through my eyes. Thank you for being you.

When people asked me how do you manage to remain cool under any circumstance, even the most adverse one – my reply was and always would be – “you don’t have what I have” – That is You! You were are. Not sure who said this, but in your case it is very true, “As you’ve grown, you have taught me so many things in life. Over the years you’ve taught me to have endless patience, unlimited affection, and eternal love” For those who keep telling the pangs of raising a teenage daughter (or even a son), I am yet to figure out what was so difficult. Aparna would totally agree that, it was never once a challenge – Just in case it happened without all of us not knowing – thank God, WE CROSSED THAT IN STYLE.

Dedicating this song which just is what my heart is singing today. Meri duniya tu hi re! Just as you cross yet another year of brining happiness, joy and calm to everyone around you, I only have the best wishes to you.

Happy Birthday Divya! You got a bit older and a lot more fabulous.

Dearer than Lapis Lazuli

Ensures1 Comment

I always wondered why every wedding anniversary were linked to some theme, why 32nd was left out from the list. Though loosely I have heard of it being linked to Transport (rightfully so), maybe it was left for me to fill in on this amazing milestone. Spoke to a NRI friend who explained why it was linked to Transport – his take was that if some pair has stayed married for 32 years (in that part of the world, 32 month is considered a record period) it is to convey as an example that this journey of 32 revolutions of the Sun together has been navigated successfully, through the roughs and troughs, through joy and sadness, through challenges and bliss – all dealt with successfully TOGETHER

Happy 32nd Wedding Anniversary to us

Not that I need any special linkage to be grateful to Aparna who has been a married companion for 32 long years (for her). You know something, of all the fishes in the Ocean, I am glad I caught you (not my original saying, but heard this in a different context from someone)

Proud and Extremely Happy Grandparents celebrating the 32nd with Apple of our Eyes

Dearest Aparna,
Thank you for giving me the love that I cannot live without. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and to everyone who is part of our lives (Check with them and they would agree with me completely). One of our Manasik Daughter asked us, if you were to pick up the best moment of these 32 years, I had to go back to my memory….errrrr… my Maths to work that out. The best moment was not just one but 1,009,152,000 (Someone can figure out the significance of this number). It is not for this tribute blog but for real. It has been such an amazing journey of blissful togetherness.

We also had a word of caution to her. Like in anything in the world or in any relationship “We worked to make it work” Cordiality and bliss in Every relationhip is free but not a gift. I have to confess that she shared significantly part of that work than me. It is not being the jolly, naughty, laughing and freaking couple all the time.

We as family had our shares of Challenges and what made it work was her “calming” presence. Divya and Vishnu tell me, I am lying when I use the adjective calming – she gets flustered even when the boat is slightly rocked. But I say her presence was real – constant support and inspiration to everyone and reassuring that we will surmount it and Thanks to the Divine – we did it successfully each time. She was always around, looking over our shoulders, telling us never to give up and we will sail through.

If Divine were to give a chance to change something from 31st March 1991 and relive the past 32 years, (I wish He really offered it), you know what! Wait Wait, Don’t Celebrate – I am not going to let go even in imagination, I would do exactly what I did that day all over again and live the 32 years excatly the same way.

Looking eye to eye (for a change)

Here is to another year of growing closer and sticking together throughout our lives. Cheers to yet another year of growing strong together.

The NRI friend also suggested to gift Lapis Lazuli on this occasion, which in all humility I welcome and accept from Aparna or anyone else. Please keep this coming.

Lapis Lazuli – Gemstone associated with 32nd Anniversary
From all of us to the Anchor of our Lives. Thank you Aparna

What else? A friend like no one else. Here is the song dedicated to you