enga veetu vishesam

Miles away from home... moments away from the loving ones... a life away from life... this is what I experienced for the past one year. In spite of having a wonderful hubby and good souls around me.,I always have felt that something is missing. A void feeling which I believe that almost every one whoz staying in a foreign place will experience at least once in their stay time.

I was too excited on the day we learnt that GP was in her family way. We felt as if it was in our own family. But that very same time period, I was trying hard not to sink in the soaring economy to maintain my visa status and of course to maintain our plans to go as planned. Though I tried helping GG with some lunches & dinners, I realized nothing can be equaled than a timely help, when R pointed out what could had been done. All I could do that time was nothing but lots and lots of wishes.

In spite of the default difficulties, GG still hosted the poker parties , never missed any bday bashes or any trips. Well the days passed just like any other season. The reason for this blog – itz all started on the day we discussed about the baby shower for GP.. Gan said once, ‘the exciting part is the prep for the function rather than the function itself’. It is absolutely true in my opinion too. The guys were talking about menu & decoration and gals were talking about customs & outfits.

The mood created was the same as that of a marriage function back in home. Talking about menus, timings, guests, decorations. I felt too excited when we all gals went out for parlor or discussed about the function. Since few of our friends have moved further far from the current place, the plan of their visits, their stay everything mattered. As the day approached, GG were in full swing and I guess everyone had their own prep. As if I m in at my home waiting for attending a function over there. Generally for me wearing our traditional outfit is the uncomfortable part of any function and I always find all odd reasons to avoid it. But surprisingly this time, it was altogether a different feeling; I was so happy to wear the saree and chose my dad’s favorite color for the occasion. This was my first saree too. So added sentimental value and I m ready to wear it without complain…what should I say for this feeling?

Finally the D day came, with every one taking up their tasks, running around, decorating, dressing, teasing and enjoying. Well my day started with some usual hiccups… wearing our traditional dress in a perfect way [the nightmare & couldn’t do that too]… long live freeways… I regretted shifting our house :) - the traffic arrrr…. Though I always trusted Raj’s driving, that day it was all like Einstein’s explanation, he still was speeding at 70 mph , I felt as if I was in a bullock cart, cursing every car in front of us and the sun for being so hot :) :). When we started from GG's, the raita started spilling on my saree… oops.. My sentimentally valued [?] treasure getting spoiled. . I was kinda feeling moody because of this. Still, I didn’t want to spoil GP’s mood either, so jus let it go.

When we reached the hall, I forgot all these hurdles… and got involved in the customs, meeting frns, posing photographs.. [Yeah we had our own photographer for the function ;) ]. The mood was so festive with smiles, chit chats, PJ’s every where …. GP looked so beautiful that I realized thatz what they say ‘mom’s beauty? ‘ . I happened to stand near to her and watched each every movement in the function. The blessings, the balloons, the bangles, the flashes, the smiles… Itz been long time since I attended any such function and I realized how happy I was. Not only me but every one of us. I still missed some of my friends who couldn’t attend the function though.

The interesting part apart from the customs was the events followed after that. The best dressed man & woman awards, the bingo game etc and as usual I didn’t win any of the games… and who cares… itz all about the fun we had. There was RG’s dance, poor guy, the difficult part was to tackle the audience’ teases than the dance steps. By this time the guests started leaving with final greetings and photo sessions.

After wards was the best part I would say, rest of us chit chatting, planning for upcoming baby shower functions [yeah 2 more in the row J] oh..i felt as if I was in India. I knew I have mentioned this quite a few times in this blog but still I couldn’t resist mentioning it.

After all this, as usual the trade mark poker tournament started… and again surprisingly I found it amusing… and this time I couldn’t even stand for 2 hands… but still it was totally fun. It was late evening when the game got finished… I was thinking, the baby shower customs didn’t take that much time mmm…. We use any excuse to play poker…or as SK said any excuse to be together with friends.

By the time we cleaned the hall, had dinner and packed up..every one was damn tired. So almost end of the event! And then it was suggested to go GG’s place to unwrap the gifts. Inspite of being tired…the depressing fact that the next day being Monday, I didn’t wanna miss this. So we all went there… gifts been opened, viewed... teased…do I need to mention how much fun was it? Yeah, loads of fun. It was around midnite when we came home…tired but with all smiles. With baby due in 3 weeks, there is going to be another tide of excitement soon.

For the next few days it was extended version of the happiness by sending mails. Sharing photos… and this is it… the family… the bonding…the sharing…that is what I missed...this is what the cause of the emptiness. Suddenly I get this feeling that we are not alone. My friends here… are part of extended family. Fun …Happiness … and Peace. Nothing is missed here… and my world rolls on gathering more and more memories … to be relished ever and for ever.

PS: Before I could post this blog, GP has delivered a cute baby boy. And as I said, the tide hit us with huge un prepared surprise…