It has been a trying week being down with one infection or the other. One of my problems with illness is that beyond the discomfort, the lying in, the medicines, etc., it annoys me immensely. Not very mature of me but that is how I feel. I fret about lost time. About being confined at home; never mind that some days I would rather be shut in the house by myself and have a ball. But then that would be by choice, not circumstance.
When I decided last evening to attend the luncheon hosted by an old friend to celebrate his daughter’s wedding reception, it was not with the intent to get out of the house somehow or to be socially correct. I realized that bad throat and all, I wanted to go. I went to bed wishing myself to be well in the morning. And voila! I felt good enough to go.
We are not a group of people who meet often – sometimes we meet only once a year. This could be at a wedding, a birthday bash, and sometimes, a funeral. There is little or no calling – invitations go on often only on WhatsApp and funnily enough, everyone who can, shows up.
We connected first because of our parents. We met in the Railway colony of a small town where our fathers were posted. But it was our mothers who became the closest of friends. We were thrown together a lot and possibly realized that the only way through this problem was through it. We liked each other enough to spend long hours in summer playing Monopoly, cycling in the colony, or swimming in the pool at the club. While the youngest in the group was in primary school, the oldest was graduating from high school. Soon the fathers were posted elsewhere, and everyone went to find their futures in India and beyond.
Whenever we found ourselves in the same town, we would meet because our parents took us everywhere with them. “You will be bored?” ‘Nonsense”. Somewhere along the way, often on the periphery of each other’s life, we remained connected. And now, even in the absence of many of the people who brought us together, we remain connected.
There is a deep sense of belonging in being part of a group that has known you all your life. They are an extended part of your family, spouses, children, et al. Being with them brings back happy memories of childhood, a time all but forgotten. Of people no longer with us and yet there in spirit. Today, as I laughed among friends, I felt so content. It reminded me of the theme song of an old American sitcom, ‘Cheers’.
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna go where everyone knows your name!
So beautifully and aptly said Tannu. You speak for each one of us. You are so right that we are no longer friends but extended family. We’ve know each other most of our lives. The memories are so precious specially of those who are no longer with us. Their presence is felt whenever we’re together. Cheers to all of us
beautiful . yes one can connect immediately , acceptance, love, understanding all guaranteed
Tanu .. so rightly expressed
touched everyone’s heart …
Most precious legacy our parents have given …
If we look back
from our childhood what all we
inherited …
Just only
Love & bonding ..
Really Tanu.. we’ve all reached a stage now that we make an extra effort to meet . There is such a bond and belonging to the gang that even if we don’t meet we know that we are there for each other.
“A strong friendship doesn’t need daily conversation, doesn’t always need togetherness, as long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends will never part.”
Oscar Auliq-Ice
Tanu, you have surpassed yourself…you write so simply but with such underlying emotion that it really is great to read your blog…carry on..
I am invited to these gatherings as a parent, and now more and more as a grandparent. I look at the next generation, and the next; they are all children to me, my children.They give me happiness, and strength.
I look for my friends; in this gathering I found none. The realisation came with a pang.
Did it make me sad? May be for a passing moment. Do I not feel them, and there itself. I do.
So beautifully you have expressed your heart dear Tanu bete in the realm of friendships which have been forged among the children of Railway persons, perhaps same for Defence personnel, another organisation with traditions. Shared moments and experiences contribute to understanding and adjustments, vital for lasting friendships.
We all know friends are a great source of our emotional well-being.
Build up friendships slowly, and once formed, do all you can to preserve them.
God Bless you and your soulful friends!
Thanks a lot bete, for sharing your Blog!
As human, we from childhood try to find/make/create a known bond from Relations , Parent’s friends siblings, school, colony..
Ultimately with passage of time and while growing up we have a tribe who remain close to us till eternity. Even when we cross our middle age, we look to them and remember our younger days.
God’s bounty is limitless
Beautifully written. We are all connected in someway or the other thanks to our parents. Connections that carries us beyond the continent, then we make new friends and new contacts that carries our children to their journey beyond.