Aparna

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

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

Happy 37th Birthday Aparna

Ensures2 Comments

Yes! 37th Birthday since we met and 31st as my better half and partner-in-crime. To say that it got better and better each year, would be stating the obvious or maybe an understatement. Looking back I can say that I don’t mind getting stranded on an uninhabited island after a ship wreck if she is around (so that she keeps reminding me that it was my fault 🤪)

If I were to list, Aparna has so many qualities that make her a very special person. But right on top that I have seen since 1993 every second of the day is what a wonderful mum she is. Not just to biological children but also to our manasik kids – “DaMaKis” gang. The ownership, the care, the rebukes and concern makes it so evident.

As some wise man said, 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. For no particular reason we have hit off. If someone asks me how, I always say, It just does. God has been Kind. Nothing else explains it. To be honest, it’s just perfect. It is a dream that is being lived every moment, thanks to her. An epitome who live the adage “Love like no other and you feel happy beyond your wildest dreams.”

The Chinese Virus screwed up and adversely affected all kinds of celebrations, some developments in some kids’ personal lives, celebrating as whole gang is now over Video calls. Nevertheless celebrating her existence in our lives never stopped.

Prayers to the Divine! And Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji to bless her with long, healthy, happy and joyful life ahead. May every moment of the year ahead be as special or better than today.

Today’s Birthday Gang
Your Birthday is a special moment for me. Let’s celebrate to treasure these memories forever.