“It’s all Relative”- like in the game by Ross in Friends.

 I just became maasi-daadiJ , a grandmother, so to speak…

Yes, my cousin’s son just had a child (I mean his wife of course :D). My cousin (Papa’s elder brother’s/ Baba's daughter) still looks very young and pretty. Here’s Shobha didi on the slide at Ajanta Apartments, back in CalcuttaJ And that’s my elder sister Barkha, behind herJ

Photo may have been clicked by Papa. This park in the building is where Papa left me once in the care of two older girls, Preeti di and Gala di, perhaps the older bhaiyas would remember ;) So, Papa had taken me along because I really wanted to go and he could not really take me along because I would have surely fallen ill after the walk. So, he asked the girls to keep me with them until he came back from the walk. The girls were nice enough to me… but thereafter, I did not press my father to take me along or for any other thing, ever. An innocent gesture and definitely a wise decision on his part, but I took it otherwise. It has taken a lifetime for my family to convince me that I am in fact ‘wanted’. (‘Love you’s are mandatory at the end of phone conversations!) Such a double-edged sword, parenthood… especially when we actually come with our own preconceived notions and inclinations to believe the negative… Well, one can only do what one feels is right… and remind oneself to feel better, in the moment, as that will attract more such experience… (Please refer to the Law of Attraction by Abraham Hicks)… Thankfully we have the key, somewhat…

Photo of Kailash bhaiya (Baba’s eldest son) clicked two years ago by my little niece Diva (when she was 5yrs)… On my will to remain independent and thereby detached (they should not teach about Buddha in class II), Kailash bhaiya  had once said, “There is, dependence, independence and inter-dependence…” Yes, I like life better with my people around me, for sure. Life (read happiness) is much too precious to be dependent on something or someone but sure is nicer when you can share it with people.

This photo was taken when Shobha didi came visiting with her kids, right after Ajay bhaiya’s and Anil bhaiya’s wedding… On the left is Manisha bhabhi (the latter’s wife), the oil painting is by Barkha, Amma (my Taaii ji/ father’s elder brother’s wife), Shobha di, with little Juhi teased by her ‘Karan bhaiya’ (real sweet chap, the one who has just had a babyJ) and my mother.

Here’s Mommy with Anil bhaiya (Baba’s youngest and sweetest son; you have to see him dance at a family wedding!) and me. Yes, at that point I used to walk like her bodyguard, if and when she ever ventured out! :D Mommy’s wearing the same sari as with Addi (my paternal aunt, in blog before this)... Very likely, Anil bhaiya must have brought Addi over on her visit to Calcutta. Baba’s (my Tau ji’s) bungalow smells like cardamom. It has been ages… I really should go visit soonJ