Desert Rose

 The hardcover was intact but a little sticky from years of perspiration from being stuck in the cupboard. It is lovely how seeing just the outer cover can stir a whole lot of emotions. It can wake up memories that you had put to sleep with a lot of effort. On turning each page, each of their faces smiling wide was so clear in the mind. In a phase of life where you’re wondering if memory is your thing anymore, it is quite reassuring to see your mind map the handwriting to the right faces.   A line here and a phrase there; a quick sketch here and an inside joke there; ink pen on a page that’s slowly fading (but you still remember enough to fill in); pages made all colorful with every line in a different pen. On a day when everything felt grey from the inside, just flipping the pages painted her mind red. They’d been the world at a point. Then there was a blur. Then there were years of questioning the blur. This phase was followed by some agitation and anger for not being...

That morning stretch & silent prayer; that tea or coffee that you prepare. A little sweat and some good smiles; and cleaning off some pending piles. A pleasant hello to the one across; a quick chat with someone you were cross. A plate full that satisfies the tummy and soul; a good watch without having to scroll. A goodnight with a book over the face;  and that feeling of not being part of any race. Most of the days - this is all we need.  The honesty and integrity of daily routine - the highest vibrating energy to take us ahead.

My heart has been beating a tad bit faster than many around me since I was born. It handles a little too much blood at a time and quicker than normal. Nothing major, but innocent murmur trouble. It is not the kind that needs any medical attention – thank God. But my stamina and control over breathing have always been a tricky domain. From my teenage, I’ve been conscious about fixing health in general. I’ve been doing something or the other in this direction for years now. This urge got stronger with some major milestones we encountered in Geolin (our family) through my undergrad years. Pappa George was forced to join the Parkinson’s party and Mumma Lin took her membership in the ‘C’ club as they call it (Cancer). Both are happy, healthy, and fighting odds like warriors to date  – thank God. My sister has also had her share of health hurdles since she was a little girl and is still figuring it out. So over the years, the obsession to stay healthy has been a constant thought i...