"Wow, what an amazing facility"

That’s what I said - ”Wow, what an amazing facility,” when my better half told me a few days back, about her walk to the main road to get some stuff. Well, I was lying on the hospital bed with the right leg in a plaster, so the case in point was - “the ability to walk.” It’s really funny, how we get engrossed in the idiosyncrasies of life, take things for granted and don’t appreciate what we have. Last month during Chennai floods, we both said the same thing -“what an amazing facility”, when the electricity board went finally up n running and declared by night - “let there be light!”

I have definitely said this before in my blog; it’s something ingrained in our DNA. Typically, we appreciate the value of things only after they’re taken away. Life is iffy, iffy as it can be. Being ambitious is good, cribbing sometimes is just fine, but it’s best if we learn to appreciate (ALWAYS) what we have in hand. Yes, that (the 'always' part) is an ideal world scenario, but we can at least resolve to take that road and see where that takes us.

P.S: On a different note, thank you for all the "appreciation" mails for my book. I'm really honored by all the love and good wishes. 

Ciao ppl!!

Ciao Life!!

It's been a decade !!

Dear 'Rest of me':


It's been a long time. Of course I remembered my second birthday- Dec 22nd 2004, but the realization came only now that it's been 10 years. Phew!

I'm sometimes surprised by how there are days where I don't have any feeling that you are missing- at all, and life just goes on. At the cost of immodesty, I do admire the way my training and approach to life doesn't let anything seem amiss. But buddy, there are days when I look at the mirror and ask myself- "Dude, where's the rest of you? Really?"

Earlier tonight, Rishika was playing on the bed and said, "Mamma has 2 hands, I have 2 hands, you have 1 hand." I wasn't wearing my hand. I smiled and was about to give the standard story that I tell kids- how my artificial prosthesis is a stronger hand that I got replaced. They generally touch and agree that it is stronger. But she just continued after a brief pause, in a tone of placating me, "your 2nd hand is in that room. Tomorrow you wear it, then you'll also have 2 hands." The sentences weren't so complete of course :). She gave  a smile of absolute simplicity and peace of mind. I might be over-reading it, but I'm glad that she has the same fighter spirit.

Sorry for digressing, coming back to you buddy. Yes, I miss you very much. I'll always have the regret of not getting to see you one last time (because I was busy dying and getting resuscitated). I fondly reminisce all the good times we spent as "One", especially during Academy and Fauj days. Needless to say, you completed me buddy. Love you, always!

Ciao ppl!
Ciao life!