AMMA'S RETIREMENT

September 30th, 2012- the day when Amma retired as a teacher with 30 years of service. I wasn't there to attend the retirement function, so I asked my sister to capture the moment for me. I was told who attended the function everyone had a lot to say about amma, of course all nice things. Her colleagues, students, family and friends. 

I always knew that amma is a good teacher, both professionally and otherwise. We always had, and still have, something to learn from her. I could write a 10-page essay on what kind of a person amma is, and what she went through to keep her family safe and secure. Only, words won't be sufficient to express my emotions. 

Anyway, about the function- although everybody showered my mum with their blessings, gratitude and love, I think my father had it all. I have seen my parents disagreeing, and teasing each other in all ups and downs of their 33 years of marriage. I always wondered why there weren't many times when they appreciated each other, or if they really are in love. 

Today, I know how much they love each other although they don't express their love as westerners do or as the younger generation does. I'll never forget  my father's words "She gave a meaning to my life; in fact she gave a life" 

Amma, this is for you!

I know how much you missed spending time with your family when you had to travel long distances and work very hard. We missed you too. I hope you'll get that 7-day weekend now, and get to spend as much time as you wish with father. I LOVE YOU.

"To err is human."

"To err is human." 

Or, it isn't anymore?

 

Like any other man on the Earth, I have made mistakes too. But just because I've made 'em doesn't mean I'm made of them. Even more, it doesn't give anyone the right to tag me as "EVIL". Right? Sometimes I wonder whatever happened to the famous quote - 'To err is human'! Recent events in my life messed me up so much that I'm so confused, and thus here I am on my blog questioning myself (and anyone who cared to read it) - Isn't to err human anymore? I'm not a people-person. I take time to extend my hand for friendship (what's wrong with that?). But, once I've made friends I love them, and never leave them even if I fall out of love with them. That's me! I don't have a philosophy, nor do I follow any rules when it comes to friendship. I just believe that one cannot like most of the qualities in one's friend, and yet be friends with them.

What's wrong in being friends with someone even if you are not in love with them anymore (as you were once), as long as you still feel comfortable around them? I can hate my friend for many things, and still be happy to call him /her my friend for just as he/she is! After all, you don't have to be a perfect match to be friends, or think exactly alike or act and react in the same way on everything, do you? I don't think so. However, not all agree with me. Instead, I’m often tagged as a ‘hypocrite’ and ‘evil’, and very often I'm left alone. How am I any of those things? Why do I have to like everything about my friends, or vice versa? Why do you have to end a relationship based only on a few things you don’t see eye-to-eye about? I’ll never have answers to any of these questions. Why doesn’t anyone look back at me once before they decide to abandon me forever, leaving me confused and wondering 'what did I do now?' or 'Did I do something at all?" or "Is it not me but them?"

I'll never understand! I’ll never understand why one holds on only to the mistakes one’s friend has made, and not to the good times they had together! I’ll never understand how one cannot cherish the fact that despite the differences, one can still love each other for lifetime! I’ll never understand how one can erase all the beautiful memories from one’s mind but keep the painful ones? I’ll never understand why making mistakes is no longer a human attribute! I’ll never understand why isn’t “To err is human” valid anymore!!!

 

 

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