Happy New Year- And some reflections

New Year 2009, is around the corner. A time for some quiet reflection, for the year gone by and some thinking ahead.....

2008 was the year when the world faced a 'Global melt-down', something that even the most hardened cynics couldn't possibly have anticipated..

With it, the loss of so many Institutions, jobs, people ...Then looking at the creation of some new ones.

For it is only when the 'Old order crumbles that a new one emerges."Or as the proverbial 'Phoenix' rises from the ashes, so will something new come out of all this.

On a more personal note, some changes, transitions, movement ahead..

The loss of some dear people, leaving behind a vacuum that will be hard to fill

And the finding of new friends, who give great joy and happiness..

So there's always hope., Hope for a brighter day, a brighter week...

And a brighter New Year..

So here's looking ahead... to New Year 2009

Sunset- A Time for reflection

It's true you know.......

The sun will set every day

And it will rise again, the next morning.

While I captured these moments on film the other day, I thought what a marvellous sight I could see unfolding right in front of my eyes..

And since I let it, one which touched a very deep chord within my 'being'.

Where for a long , long moment in time, I was all alone..

Just me, the sea, the sand and the setting sun.

A true moment in time, of being 'one with myself'

And the one we call 'God', somewhere around me too.

Unknown children at play-makes my day

Now that my own daughter has grown up, I sometimes miss the feeling of say,

Holding her hand and taking her out to the park. Just the two of us.....

Then putting her onto the swings and gently pushing her up, higher and higher.

And hearing her delighted laughter, as she feels herself going up, up, and then down.

Or then taking her to Baskin Robbins for her favourite 'Cookies and cream' ice cream, just becausdse she "felt like eating it now".

Even if it had to be done at 10 in the night, when sleep beckoned me- very, very strongly...

Or then to 'House of Prose 'where she loved to read books, more than buying them...

Or, Or, Or......

So what I've started doing now, is look for her in other children.

Children of the world, who are there, everywhere I look.

And everywhere I see a happy girl child , I see my Neha in her.

So Neha, these are who I've found so far. Among a few others...

Here's wishing you and all your friends in the UK, a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year as well.

We are Missing you, child...

And have set up your Christmas tree too. Just the way you would have done...

Lots and lots of love

MA and PA