June 1, 2008

Here I am again...fully motivated and determined to resume blogging and updating it every so often. Let's see how long it take for this motivation to fade away into mere thoughts and replaced by something new, which will also suffer the similar treatment.

One of my oldest relatives (grandfather's brother's wife) is on her first, and probably last, tour to USA. Yesterday, i met her after 7 years. This whole ordeal was quite overwhelming. I use 'overwhelming' because meeting her, listening to her and talking to her made me realize many things. It was as if i was hit with a rock of self-realization which was there all this time, but i had been ignorant.

I think it is essential to provide some background information of my childhood before i proceed. First 6 years of my life was spent growing up in a joint family. Imagine 7-9 families, consisting of extended uncle, aunts, cousins, (from father's side) and all living under one huge roof. It is practically impossible to maintain that bond and relationship with your relatives in this decade. While she was updating us on each cousins' academics, employment, marriage and overall life, i realized that i had forgotten some of them. All i remember is their faces, i could not even distinguish some of them by name. The cousins I grew up with, the cousins I spent more time with than my own parents, the cousins who taught most of the valuable lessons of life one is taught in first six years of life are only reminisced by faces, and nothing else. I felt ashamed. Yes, they are not my first cousins, but i should still remember them and at least be able to differentiate each by his/her name, if nothing else. What cheered me up were her tales of our mischiefs and devilry in and around the huge house. It was quite nostalgic, especially because i had forgotten about it but as soon as she mentioned it, i could imagine it scene-by-scene occurring in front of my eyes.

With every couple earning and living independently (without parents, i.e.) and going by the principle of 'Hum do, hamare do' due to inflation/agflation and somewhat less stressful life, i doubt if many kids will be fortunate enough to experience the similar type of delectation with their cousins or close relatives even. In this age, with computers manipulating most of the kids' mind, so much so that they would rather live in their virtual life all day instead of going outside to play Cricket or any sport with 'real' friends.

More on this later...and some other topics also.

Meanwhile, make others happy and laugh, even when you aren't happy. Atleast you won't make them feel the same. :)

- Abhinav