Thursday, January 16, 2014

Time Spent With My Daughter



The six days spent with my daughter was indeed good. It was time well spent with her. It is over, for 
today she left for Mumbai by the evening flight. And in another 4 days she would be leaving for London. I don't know when we might get together again. As they say, all good things must come to an end. However, I am happy for her, and wish her a wonderful life in London with her husband Ram.
They are both very good people, and I know that good people always do well in their lives.

The day she landed here in  Bangalore , she wanted me to make Vatha Kouzumbu for lunch as that is her favorite dish to have with rice, and my husband promptly went and bought Okra for her , which again is her favorite vegetable dish, which he himself made for her.
She dragged us to Phoenix Market City Mall in Whitefield, the same evening, both of us had a nice time there, only poor husband was bored to death, so we just had a look at what was on sale (which itself took us nearly more than 2 hours), and decided to come back again to do the real shopping/ buying.
The next day we had an appointment with the Tattoo studio, and we knew once we had gone there, we would not be able to return before 8.3 p m.
Tattoo artists are late risers, for they come late in the afternoon and work till late evening / night, depending  on the work they end up with. It needs lots of back bending concentration and precision in their work. They are really patient, and devoted in their work, one must really love tattooing to have all these characteristics. You would be surprised that some of them are studying engineering, some of them are doctors and architects and so on.
Once you see them working you come to appreciate them and genuinely feel that they deserve every penny they charge.
I had already decided what I wanted to get tattooed, but unfortunately the person who is supposed to be an expert in the field of portrait tattoo fell ill and so I could not get the portrait tattoo done.
However, I had other tattoos to be done, which would have been difficult to combine with the portrait tattoo, which I wanted to be done, so I decided to get the small tattoos  since we had an appointment with them. My daughter too wanted an Ankh Tattoo put on her ankle,( it symbolises life/ forever/ growth /evolution). So Sunday went off at the tattoo studio.
On the nape of my neck
You all already know my relationship with Time
BTW, (12.48 a m) that was the time I was born in the cold month of December


Mary Poppins just popped out of nowhere, and just got magically placed behind my ear: a real cute tattoo, just  the right size. Seeing my tattoos my dear friend  Padmaja wrote a poem on that, which I must share it here:

"Well after looking at the pics you sent, you energized me so much, I felt like writing these lines for you!

ZEST

The rainbow and the colorful butterflies
The dew drops on the rose garden
The sound of the splashing rain
The sweet smile on the new born's face
All remind me of her, her zest for life
Zest is the secret of her beauty
And that zest has a second name called Rama!"
Love Padmaja



Thank you Padmaja for this lovely poem. I will always treasure it.


Our Mall mania was not yet over, we decided to leave Ananth at home and go and shop peacefully. We went back to all the shops we had checked out during our earlier visit, and had a gala time trying out various outfits, and finally selecting the ones we liked. we had such fun shopping. Although I enjoy shopping alone, I also enjoy shopping with like minded people, and my daughter happens to be one of them.

Next we had to check out the just opened Starbucks Coffee in the same Mall. We got to taste lots of free coffee too, as we ordered our Espresso and Cappuccino.

My daughter had some wonderful time playing with her dog Loki, and also with our dog Bumbilli.
Though we don't allow dogs on bed, however, this once, I let her dog snuggle with her on her bed. I felt bad for both of them, for they were used to it, and  I did not have the heart to be strict now.
Anyway it was just for a few days: let them enjoy their bonding, for God knows when they would get to meet  once she left for London.
 I must say, her dog Loki is not fussy, he is very adaptable, he full of life and is always happy,  he loves to sleep  outside in his basket along with Bumbilli and the night watchman.
Here  is a picture of them together: bed-
sheets can be washed, but their love for each other cannot be washed away, it is there to stay forever, although they may not be together for long, so let them enjoy the  togetherness just for a little while. 

 There  is no doubt that we are all going to miss her, but she has a life of her own, and we must let her go. We can see each other, talk  with each other through G talk/ Skype, : modern technology is there by our side. Her stay with us has come to an end today, however, she leaves behind pleasant memories to revisit again and again.

34 comments:

  1. Rama, you and your daughter are beautiful. The mother-daughter bond is so sacred and I love that you got to spend quality time with her. Those tattoos are awesome! Thanks for sharing your great time with us :)

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    1. Hi Saumya,
      Good to see you after a long time. I am glad you like the tattoos. Thanks for the compliment.

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  2. It is nice to know you had great time with your daughter.Padmaja's beautiful poem truthfully depicts you. Small tattoos surely enhances the look.The ones chosen look good

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    1. Thanks KP for liking the tattoos. Yes padmaja's poem is very good and spontaneous, she is very good both with words and paints. I consider myself lucky to be her friend.

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  3. Wonderful post describing the great time you had with your daughter!! Bonds of the heart are very sacred and it is the same between us humans or with the pets - Loki will definitely miss her but time flies by quickly, it won't be too long before she would visit you again and cuddle Loki!!

    Good to know the meaning behind the tattoos, are they removable or permanent? And a really lovely poem written by your friend Padmaja she captured the essence of your smile in beautiful words!! :)

    Glad to hear that your husband was spared of shopping boredom during your 2nd visit to the mall, it definitely makes sense that a man does get bored when he accompanies women who try out and check for clothes that'd suit and look good on them. I wish your daughter all the best, thanks for sharing this post :)

    Take care :)

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    1. These are permanent tattoos. Thanks for liking my friend's poem, you will love her paintings too, maybe you could visit her. Yes men cannot enjoy shopping with women, but when my husband shops for himself he also takes a long time, and there are times I too get bored shopping with him. However, generally we don't mind waiting for each other to finish shopping.
      Thanks Sai Charan.

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  4. Glad you both had a great time. This happy memory will last for ever for both of you. Also, thanks for sharing these beautiful photos.

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    1. You are right, when people go to far away places it is the time spent with them that keeps us bonded. Thanks for liking the pictures.

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  5. I can see my mom in your lines...whenever, I came home from the hostel, dad would get fish (my fav) and have mom cook it. Mom used to cook it the night before as fish always tasted good the next day...:) And when I read about your daughter leaving, I was wondering how I would react once my daughter leaves home...good luck to your daughter...you both look so pretty. And that was an interesting fact about Tattoo artists..i didn't know they came from all fields..

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    1. It is a cycle that keeps going round and round, it was the same with my parents, and the same with my daughter, and it would continue forever. I glad it brought back pleasant memories of your parents and the love they shower on you. Yes Tattoo artists come from all fields, and some are full time tattoo artists too.( that is their only job)
      Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the compliment.

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  6. Glad you enjoyed a lovely week with your daughter Rama.Your post reminded of the last few days I spent with my Mom before my wedding. Mother and daughter always have so much to share, no amount of time feels long enough...I'll treasure every moment of it, am forever grateful to Skype for bridging the gap across time zones :) Okra is my favorite veggie too... Loved the time-piece tattoo, it really is so you...I'm apprehensive about getting a tattoo though, as am really scared of needles :P

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    1. We have to thank the modern inventions, which has made communication so easy. Yes the pocket clock is really cool, but look so much nicer in white skin, in fact all tattoos whether done in black or color show well on white skin, I am not complaining, it is just a fact.
      However, tattoo addicts don't care, they just have to go and get inked like me.
      There is nothing to be scared of, I was also afraid before I got my first tattoo, but my daughter assured me that it is not painful, and it was true. This is my second tattoo adventure. So if you really want, go and get inked, get something small to just get the feel for it, and who knows you might also become an addict like me.
      Thanks Reshma.

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  7. wowwww sounds like u guys had fun :)) Super coolll tattoo and ur daughter is so lucky to have a superrr coollll mom ;)

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  8. Lovely memories you seem to have made:)

    Ditto times i have when i visit my parents. My dad and mom both love making my favorites. But, i havn't experienced the separation pangs with my daughter. She is in 12th and may move out for her higher studies this year. Although i may cross the bridge when i come across one, It is really going to be tough for me. I am afraid to even think about it.I may come to you for help then:)

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    1. In the beginning the separation is a little tough, but soon one gets used to it. my daughter moved away as soon as she got a job preferring to live closer to her office for easy travel, and my son too had to leave after 12th to live in the hostel in Suratkal and after that he went away to study in the US and she got married and went away to live in Mumbai and now to London.
      You will be fine, just as I am fine with the separation.

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  9. what fun you had..really daughters are so special..I also enjoy shopping alone,but find my daughter the best company for every activity....your tattoos are nice..I also like tattoo but dont have the courage to have them:)

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  10. Thanks Renu. Don't feel afraid to get one, it is not all that painful. It would be a good experience.

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  11. Your tattoos look beautiful! I have never seen the Mary poppins tattoo anywhere. It looks lovely!

    Time spent with daughters are special. I too love shopping alone. Husband's taste is good so if he is with me, he selects most of the time!

    Padmaja's poem is nice. I too admire your zest for life! Be happy always, Rama!

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    1. It really pleases me to know that you like tattoos. Yes my husband too sometimes helps me in choosing the right thing, that is when i am looking for something very expensive or something that is of very good quality.Yes padmaja is god poet too and a good friend, made through blogging. We have also met each other, and that makes it all the more special.
      I must make it a point to meet you one of these days.
      Your lovely comment made the day for me Sandhya.

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  12. You had such a fab time with your daughter, quality time with loads of fun and chatter. Super cool! Love, love love your tattoos! ♥

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    1. Thanks Shilpa. Good to know you liked the tattoos.

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  13. Super cool Aunty, you had such a lovely time with your daughter..Its the same with me too, Everytime, irrespective of the duration, I long for more time to be spent with parents..The "home-sickness" only increases as one ages, I think..Love ,Love your tatoos ,,Mary Poppins and the Time wala, just so apt for you...Thank God for all these modern gadgets and communication facilities, we can be in touch with near and dear ones in an instant..Wonder how people managed in olden days..

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    1. Thanks SM. Yes sometimes, home sickness really takes its toll, but soon we are also able to get over it. It was not bad in those days, for we still used to communicate through writing letters, which now sadly has left all of us.Everyday we used to await for the arrival of the postman with replies to our letters. That was a different era. Thanks for liking the tattoos.

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  14. Reminded me of the times we had spent with our daughter when she had visited us on Diwali time:)A sweet post, Rama:)

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  15. I am very late this time, you know the reason! I was touched that you shared what I expressed , I value your friendship truly. I had tears while reading this sweet post since our son recently visited and left back memories to keep me alive. No words can describe the joy these visits bring! So happy for you that you could spend quality time with your daughter, I could visualize your shopping spree with Ananth "left out", while my dil n me shopped same thing happened here as well :-))

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    1. It doesn't matter padmaja. I will definitely come and meet you when you are in Bangalore.
      Thanks for relating to this post. I can imagine the wonderful time you must have with your son and daughter in law. Memories are made of happy times.

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  16. How wonderful! Moments of deep connections! :)

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    1. Yes, it was a wonderful time spent with my daughter. Thanks for dropping by.

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  17. Getting a tattoo is not as bad as your friend described. it is pretty simple, and one gets used to the sensation soon.
    I am sure your mom must be making fantastic Vatha Kuznambu, enjoy it.
    Thanks for the compliments.

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  18. Rama this is such an emotional post. Spending time your children when they visit you are moments of great comfort. Even though my daughter is in Delhi,but when ever she comes it is time to rejoice. Your daughter looks as pretty as you . God bless you both!

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  19. Its lovely post Rama! I am dreaming one day... daughter and me do all the thing that mummy and daughter do! Live in my dream... might come true! :-) Thank you for your kind words Rama! Mei

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