SURPRISES

Surprises make people feel special about themselves,” one of my good friends said some time ago. So true!!!

I have always loved surprises. Be it the little gifts like a pencil box that I asked a while ago, a silly desire to wear something shown on the TV or the lovely ring I got as my engineering present. My lovely dad would give me with a special something – Surprise ☺

There are many to pen down but I felt like sharing some of my best moments of life here.

December 15 2007, Our first anniversary. Kicked back relaxing in my bean bag chair, when Yash comes to me with a Jewelry box and Vo La !!! to my surprise a see a Diamond Necklace in it. I didn’t know what to say for a while!!! I was so surprised and happy, I didn’t have any words to express how I felt! "Surprises make people feel special about themselves – It Indeed did.

June 16, 2008. After having an amaaaazing time for 3 days with the gang which is now named C n C. Got up late and rushed to the office. It was late so wasn't paying much attention to anything. Saw food neatly placed at our "Food Cube" and was wondering how come I wasn't informed about the food day (It is our team's way of celebrating birthdays and anniversaries at work). To my surprise, found a huge banner on my cubicle saying – "CONGRATULATIONS ANU!!!" with all my colleagues autographs on it. It was for my graduation. It made my day wonderful. I was sooo surprised. It was really really sweet of them

"Surprises make people feel special about themselves" one of my good friends said this in some discussion – So true…It indeed did. I feel so special; I kept looking at the banner and kept reading people's wishes again and again. Couldn't wait to tell Yash – took a pic with my phone and sent him a picture message immediately. Took pictures of it and sent it to all my "Near and Dear"

August 15 2008. There have been discussions going on since weeks about what I wanted as a birthday gift, discussions about who would be coming to celebrate with me and who cannot. It felt weird in a very great way, about so many people planning their schedules to be with me. Have been receiving gifts since a week before. Dresses from my mother, gifts and greetings from my in-laws, friends in other cities.

The best part – the Birthday Eve!! – After a tiring day at work and a lovely evening in the temple, I come home and relax. Then yash said to me why don’t we go out and took me to my friend’s place.

I was so astonished to see the decorations and people coming out one by one surprising me …It was the one of the best moments of life – At that moment I felt – God I wouldn’t mind if I died this very moment, for I made friends and that is enough for this lifetime. I never felt so proud of myself before – at least with respect to friends.

My gifts kept pouring in even the next day – amazing of all was the Cute Stuffed Panda whom we fondly named Maggie ☺….It looks at me as if it says – “Honey you worried? Look at me and smile ☺

Surprises ☺ Wooww!! It indeed made me feel special

RELATIONSHIPS: MOTHER, MOTHER –IN- LAW

Dedicated To All the Mothers – Happy Mothers Day

Mother: The sweetest thing on earth; the most beautiful word there can ever be.
Mother-In-Law: Everyone’s nightmare.

These are the two descriptions of mother and mother-in-law accepted world-wide. Well mother is definitely the best creation of GOD, but I am not sure why the notion of mother-in-law is so skewed.

The first mother-in-law daughter-in-law pair that I have known are my mom and my grand-mother (the most wonderful person I’ve ever known. May her soul rest in peace) – and I can guarantee that anyone who have seen them would envy their relationship.

My mom always said she had two moms – her birth mother and her mother-in-law. She goes on to say – “My mother-in-law has been even more caring”. Seriously where would you see a mother-in-law packing lunch for her Daughter-in-law, where would you find a relationship where she finds comforted talking to the daughter-in-law than her own son? - Well this was how it was with my dearest mom and grand mom (whom I fondly called Naani – short for Naanamma).

It was probably because growing in such environment that I have always looked forward for a relationship like that – and I must say I HAVE ONE!!

I gave my mom-in-law a small present – it wasn’t a lot but it was precious to her. I felt like she called me the moment she stepped out of the shop. I could feel the happiness and joy in her voice. She called me to say “Thank You”. Wow!! She really didn’t have to do that.

This reminded me of my grandmother’s look on her face when my got her something – say a new saree – “Ippudu naakenduke picchi daana” – she would say. She would be happy and show everyone.

Now I know why mom said – “I don’t have to teach you how to love me, I know you would of-course do that. But love your mother-in-law. She is your new mom; treat her like you would treat me and the way you would like me be treated and I guarantee you would have a great life ” – though these are not her exact words – but this is what she taught me. So very TRUE!!! THANK YOU MOMMY for the great advice.

And yes, of course I should love her. She is the person who gave birth to the love of my life; he wouldn't be the person he is today if it wasn’t for their parents’ upbringing. If he is loved so much by me, their parents deserve the same too.

So the bottom line is "There is only MOM – Mine and His"

Happy Mothers Day to all the MOMS