The time to be thankful!

When my cousin 'L' whatsapped me that news I was in a meeting. My hands shivered. Had goosebumps. I could hardly control my tears. Waited for the meeting to get over to immediately call her.

'R', my cousin 'L's cousin knew me for only a year. And we came to know each other in life's most difficult of circumstances. Amma was deteriorating after her diagnosis of cancer, when one fine day 'L' called me to say 'R' has been diagnozed with the same disease.I had met her only two days ago and she was hale and healthy. And suddenly this news.

I was there with her two days later in the hospital when the initial diagnostics were done. I knew it was going to be a huge battle ahead. I remember vividly hugging her and saying "We will overcome this ka"!

And overcome, she did! Magnificently. I had often met her in the ward. There was pain. Tiredness. Days when her entire future was questioned. Depression was written all over her face on many days. Yet through it all, she was confident and courageous. Never quit! Never questioned!And the family was majestic. Many times I ve been to her room just to cheer them up, only to find cheerful people already.

I had badly wanted this news. Prayed sincerely for this. And so I'm thankful for the news. Thankful for the disease which strengthened her and the family, Thankful for her strength and the courage which had encouraged me, and on top of it all thankful for the deliverance she received yesterday

The day that changed my life forever!

So it is been a year since that day happened.

I had just failed the civil service exam. Had just got two decent jobs and was still deciding on taking one of them. Almost was deciding on joining a PG, may be an MBA. The previous week had two of the best days of my life with a best friend in Pune.The previous night I went out with a close friend for a dinner. So life was full! Full and happening. Then that day happened.

It was in the evening when my brother called. His voice choked when he said that mom was diagnosed with cancer with secondaries all over. I called my mom immediately. She could not continue either. The world broke down before me.

We knew she was having a back ache for a month. But then cancer? Never in our wildest imaginations have that thought stuck us. That morning mom joked that they are going to have a honeymoon dinner without the fan fare which usually surrounds her when she goes to a hotel in our town. They both went to a neighboring city to get her back checked, only to be diagnosed with that disease.

And so I ran to my roomie to help me book tickets back home. The ticket was booked immediately. Within a few minutes a taxi was arranged and I was on my way home. Almost missed the flight in the traffic jam. I was calling everybody around frantically. Did not know what else to do. Then as the flight took off, it all sunk in slowly. Tears rolled over. I was crying after a long time. Thoughts were all over the place. I knew life is taking us through a phase without any light. The future looked dark.

Life after that day was never the same again.Watching your mom undergo unbearable pain is not easy. After she lost her hair and her voice, she was hardly her own self. Everyday when you have to tell "Ma, open your mouth ma plz, eat something", it felt bad. And during the last few days when she could not recognize us, it was killing. And yes, when she passed away there was an emptiness which could never be explained.

Yet, there were so many good through it all. The family held us together. The friends were just there every single time of need. And it brought us all close together. It made us stronger. It made us bigger.

And yes, Jessie happened! And can life be ever the same after that?

A generation that just forgets?

I don't define generation by age! I define generation by time. And by that I mean, at this point of time we all live in the exact same generation as I am.

And so, we are a generation that forgets. We use the four letter word completely in and out of context for every single issue that comes up in our popular consiousness; So we abuse, we crib, we yell and get really riled up about issues and then about five minutes later we forget....and we move on!

The classic case in study is the horrible mumbai attacks! The whole India came up and said "Enough is enough - We want answers"; and by the time the politicians even thought about an answer we changed the questions. The rape case and the corruption issue followed! Then? The world cup win and Priety Zinta - Ness wadia case distracted us. And the answers never came.

Do we really want answers? I really am beginning to doubt it! I really think this generation (And by that I include me also) just does not 'want' the solutions. Read that word 'want' again. We are happy where we are; The emotional people we are, we just use these issues to vent out frustrations! Just like the classic wife, who never wanted the solutions.

When the CM was convicted; For once when the answer came, to the question that was shouted off from the roof tops and the streets corners......"We look the other side and wish the answer had not come!"

We, as a generation does not forget! We just don't care!