'F' IS FOR FATHER

A Father is the first man a girl encounters in her life. It is because of a father that a girl is able to understand the opposite gender, and hence  fathers play a very important role in moulding the future of a girl.

It doesn't matter how educated or rich your father is. All that matters is how you are treated by your father, and it's truly a blessing if your father treats you like a princess.

My father was neither rich nor very educated. He struggled all his life, only to meet the needs of his family. He wasn't very expressive or very good at words either. He and us faced very hard times when his company closed down. But no matter  how difficult the times he found himself amidst, he truly remained a gem of a person at heart. He showered his immense love on me, and that was all I needed.

Its only because of him that I realised that all men are not bad, and  today I find myself truly blessed with a loving husband and a son.

Nobody can take the place of my father in my life. But I must tell you that I have got an amazing father-in-law, who treats me like his own daughter. He believes in all that I do, and never doubts or questions my judgment. I share an excellent rapport with him. I know that just like my father, he will be there for me always.

And above all is my Father in Heaven, God Almighty. I know he will always care for me and my family.

'D' IS FOR DREAMS

"Without Dreaming, We Lose The Excitement Of Possibilities"

- Gloria Steinem

Everyone has dreams. Why humans dream might be a matter of great interest to psychologists and philosophers since countless years, yet no one has a clear answer. Nevertheless, I can safely label myself as a dreamer. I do it not just while I'm asleep, but also while I'm awake.

Sometimes, my loved ones call me impractical and foolish when I share my dreams and aspirations with them. I admit, I might be a little overambitious at times. However, I strongly believe that when we dream big, we are more likely to reach great heights than otherwise. I have always lived my life by this mantra. Hence, I never regret dreaming big, and haven't yet shied away from making my aspirations known, even at the risk of being ridiculed at times. It sometimes drives my hubby nuts, but I have no regrets. On the bright side, my attitude has at times helped my hubby take risks and succeed, and he has thanked me for the same.

There is a wonderful saying - "Don't Just Dream Your Life...Live Your Dream". Very true. If you simply dream and hold back from striving towards bringing your dreams to reality, then dreaming is useless. After all, life is nothing but a pursuit of dreams.

This post is written as a part of the April A to Z Challenge - 2015

'C' IS FOR CHRIST

I am a Christian from the Roman Catholic sect. With the holy week of lent going on, the first thing that came to my mind when I thought of the letter C was Jesus Christ.

The Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when Jesus is welcomed into the city of Jerusalem with his disciples by the Jews, who mistake him as a political leader who will lead a rebellion against the Roman Empire. However, when they realise that they were mistaken, they plot to get him out of the way, in connivance with Jewish priests who level charges of Blasphemy. Maundy Thursday marks the day of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples and his teaching them the important lesson of being of service to others by washing their feet. Good Friday is the day Jesus is arrested following betrayal by Judas, and charged for Blasphemy by the Jews. Subsequently he is crucified after a lot of torture and humiliation. Holy Week finally culminates with Easter Sunday, when Jesus rises from the dead.

Easter is actually a bigger festival for Christians than Christmas. Christians believe in the concept of redemption, forgiveness, and 'life after death'. For me, 'life after death' is not necessarily resurrection in the literal sense, but has more to do with having a second chance, or getting a chance to redeem one's self after initial failure. It is about repentance and starting life afresh.

As a Christian, I am proud of the fact that my religion is a religion of peace. The word 'Catholic' means all-embracing. I am also proud of the fact that our religious leader, i.e. the Pope is not shy of admitting mistakes and apologising for events in history where the Church was at fault. The fact that the Church is not rigid and fundamentalist, and is willing to move with the times is also a very good trait.

Here's wishing everyone a VERY HAPPY EASTER.

This post is written as a part of the April A to Z Challenge - 2015

'B' IS FOR BREAKFAST.

It is common knowledge that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is this meal that keeps us going the whole day. Just as a vehicle requires fuel to start, our body requires breakfast to start its day after a long night's sleep.

Many a times the power of a breakfast is underestimated. Sometimes, people miss or skip their breakfast due to unnecessary reasons like "I want to lose weight", "I could not find time" or simply "I didn't like the spread".

For most wives, including me, breakfast can pose a problem of epic proportions. Women will relate more to this, but "what to prepare for breakfast" is one of the hardest questions to answer every morning. Trust me, it's easier to find out what a woman wants (or maybe it's not). 

This is how my daily (almost) morning conversation with my husband goes, when it comes to breakfast:-

Me (yawning) - I'm so tired. Anyway, what do you want for breakfast today?

Hubby - Oh, don't take too much trouble, let's have cornflakes today.

Me - Cornflakes? But that's not filling. Remember, have breakfast like a king!

Hubby - Oh, alright then, let's have omelette sandwiches.

Me - Eggs have high cholesterol, you need to reduce your egg intake.

Hubby - Aargh...oats?

Me - Sorry, we're out of oats. You didn't make time for shopping....

Hubby (with an irritated look on his face) - I'm getting late...sorry gotta go...c'ya in the evening

Don't blame me...I was just making sure he got the most optimal choice of breakfast.

Ladies, sounds familiar? ;)

This post is written as a part of the April A to Z Challenge - 2015

SHAME AND HOPE

Image Source: Hindustan Times

An incident that took place in Afghanistan last week disturbed me.

A young 27-year old woman named Farkhunda, who was a religious teacher, was falsely accused of burning the Koran following an argument with a mullah. Subsequently, she was beaten to death by an angry (and sick) mob. They beat the poor woman with their fists, stomped on her, pelted her with stones and rocks, thrashed her with a wooden plank, threw her off a roof, and ran a car over her lifeless body. As a climax, they then burnt her body and tossed it over a bridge into a dry river. The worst part was all this happened in the capital city Kabul, in the presence of policemen.

The attackers (all men) were absolutely ruthless and without heart. In the video of the killing, some men can be seen giggling while committing their act. Kids, some as young as 7-8 years can also be seen witnessing the killing like as if it were some form of entertainment. Such a dastardly event made me feel that there was no hope for the human race - even wild animals are capable of better behaviour. And all this for what? God would never approve of such an act.

But what followed afterward made me take notice.

Apparently, there were huge protests in Afghanistan against the murder. The protesters were all women. Traditionally, it is the menfolk who stand as pallbearers while burying the dead. But these women did not allow any man to come forward to carry the body. Instead, they themselves carried the body and buried her with full honour.

This was a perfect example of woman power! I foresee a positive progressive change in Afghanistan due to this event. Hopefully Afghanistan, which is absolute hell for women, will become a better place for women to live in the times to come.

We can only hope for a positive change.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Image Source: www.bocamag.com

It's that time of the year again when lovers go mushy, exchange roses/gifts/kisses ;) and make their feelings known. It's heartwarming to see, but sometimes becomes embarassing to see, especially the way some kids take PDA to levels once unimaginable (most of us have been there some time, that's why it is embarassing).

For us ladies, it's a nice feeling to be made to feel special, at least once a year. Some of us don't even enjoy this small privilige, especially married ladies, because once we get married, office-related work tends to get a better share of our spouses' attention. Nevertheless, even a simple gesture like a rose or dinner outside (let us stay out of the kitchen at least once a year guys) counts.

Here's wishing everyone out there a very Happy Valentine's Day.

MY MOM - MY BEST FRIEND

There is a saying - 'A Mother is someone who can take the place of all others, but who's place no one else can take'. How true this saying is. This saying is particularly apt for my mother.

My mother is the reason I exist today. I have an elder sister. Both of us lost our father when we had barely graduated out of school. Although he had lost his job a few years before his death, due to the company winding up, he had just begun to get back on his feet to support the family by starting his own business, when tragedy struck. The entire responsibility of the household, the education and raising of two young girls suddenly fell on my mother's shoulders. She had to start life afresh. Of course, she had amazing support from family, - both my dad's as well as her own - but it isn't easy for anyone, let alone a woman, to bring up two kids all alone. She did a great job, and that too while being a friend to both of us. We were more like three sisters, rather than a mother and two daughters.

Today, both daughters are well-settled. Both are married, and I have a young son. Amazingly, she hasn't retired and sat back yet. She still helps us around. She's our crisis-lady, always ready to help us with chores, important tasks,and even with child-raising. Sometimes I feel my son loves her more than me, but I'm not complaining.

It wouldn't be wrong for me to call her a Super-Woman, because she really is one.

I feel really blessed.

I wish I could be half like her to my son. Or maybe I shouldn't try, because I can never match up to that level.