LXX-that stands for SEVENTY.

Am I in a race against time? No, actually it is not a race at all, because I allow time to pass. As time passes  it often throws in reminders by showing me the calendar and the different seasons going past and telling me very subtly time and again that another spring has gone by and the season for planting new flowers and vegetables has arrived. I take the bait, plant new flowers and vegetables, but don't bother about the year that has gone by. I don't let time affect me and as there is no struggle, life remains quiet, peaceful and smooth.

Yet there was this day recently when I went to a sleepy little castle which was once bustling with life, joy, music, the best crockery, cutlery, wine, exotic style and famous people all  gathered to pass an evening together with happiness and fun.

On my visit to that castle I was struck by the quiet, solitude and stillness hanging in that very room which pulsated with joyful sounds, once upon a time. Today that very room with all its beautifully, carefully curated art work from all over the world told me that time had indeed

taken its toll here. People who laughed and joked and brought people together were no longer there. All that remained were the collections, the comforts, the memories.

In this world we collect so much, we beautify so much, we entertain so much and then we allow age to catch up.

People  become morose, tired, frustrated. Someone has got dementia and someone has become a full time care taker.

Is that what life is all about?

Despair, dismal, desolate and then inevitable death?

No, it is not karma. It is not the retribution for past sins of another life. This is the only life that an individual has. The only life to achieve, live and reap the rewards. What changes everything around is attitude.

Attitude towards life, time, woes, sorrow, hope, despair, happiness, memories.

We just need to pick ourself from wherever we are, take a good look at ourself, wrinkles, pouches, dark circles and all. Look at the pretty world that we have created and think of how we can still make a difference to this world and its people.

There are so many who need our wisdom, our experience, our guidance, our patience and our resilience. Pass it on, we can still make a difference.

Older people are a boon to society. They can show by their charm, wit, presence of mind and ability to go on, that age is just in the mind. One has to go on living irrespective of the number game and make that living worthwhile.

Khushwant Singh, kept writing till he died at the age of 99, Zohra Sehgal, who was an actress, dancer, choreographer, was 95 when she acted in Chini Kum,  Fauja Singh, 104 year old marathon runner, who took up this sport at the age of 80 when he moved to London, still runs.

There are many others but I am talking of only a few whom we all know of and who did not allow age to affect their life.

If they could continue till the age of 100, then why fret when our age is not yet around 70, take a few or add a  few numbers? We still have at least another thirty years to make a difference.

The correct attitude, acceptance of hope rather than despair, looking at the silver lining rather than the dark cloud in front of it, could well be the chariot which will carry us forward with a beacon in our hand lighting the path for others to follow.

It is a win win situation.

Go on, live it up, make a difference.

My dear Kunaal,

You may  read this quickly today, as it is a  very very important day of your life.
You have friends, parents, sisters and relatives wishing you and demanding your time and attention.
Some other day please read this again and ponder over it.

You bright and brilliant much loved boy came into our lives 18 years ago. We your grand parents had arrived in London just a day before and when we had to go to St. Thomas's hospital at night, we were quite nervous. We waited in a room at the end of the corridor, waiting and worrying and wishing that everything would go well. There was a bit of a problem and then quickly your dear papa came and told us that we have a grandson. Kunaal we both-your Nana and I shed tears of joy. My dear daughter had brought forth a life who was one of our own.
We were very relieved and so very delighted.
We were with you for a month, then I went back to Dehradun, Nana stayed back in London.
When you were just three months old  you all came to Delhi to attend the wedding of your Mama Anurag.
You were surely dressed up well in wedding finery. Just a three month old cute little baby.

In September of that year my daddy and Anni went to London to be with you for three months.
Nana spent a lot of time with you till you were two.
You have been loved and have given a lot of love back to all of us.

Kunaal, let me tell you that none of us know our own potential.
We have to be shown the heights that we can reach, we have to be told of those goals that we can achieve.
We have to be directed, helped and in moments of doubt explained a thing or two.
When we are young, we are enthusiastic about everything, we are quite aware of everything, we have the energy and the strength to do anything,  but  we do not know how to spend that energy.
Parents and grandparents are always there to help and guide.
A parent has to teach, show the path and also put up with the rigours of the growing up years of the child. It is a very difficult phase of life. A child makes a young couple parents. A trust develops between a parent and child, as the parents want nothing but the best for their child and the child knows no one other than their parent.
Love, trust, belonging, devotion all develop in the growing up years of both child and parent.

A grand parent like me is rather practical, strict and demanding. Sorry if I have not been very indulgent, but I know that for me you three grand children mean more than anything else in this world. When you were little, I was not the grandmother who only loved, I was quite strict and wanted to teach you and may have been quite harsh. I was not at all the grandmother who only cajoles as grandmothers are supposed to do, but never mind.


Kunaal, I wish that you  touch the pinnacle of glory and success. May your name shine bright and in turn raise the bar for your two sisters.
We look up to you to remain that kind, considerate, loving, accomplished young man, who will make heads turn, not only because of your extremely good looks, but also because of what you become.
This is your life Kunaal, lead it well carefully, be happy, achieve everything that you want.
Let me not demand that you fulfil the desires of your parents and grandparents, but let me wish that you walk on the path that you have been shown quite well by your parents and teachers.
Education is the biggest gift in this world because it teaches us everything and can take us where we want to go.
On this special day I wish you great health, good humour, lots of love and wish that all your dreams come true.

Do take me out in your Ferrari or was it Aston Martin when you buy it. We will go out for coffee- just you and me.....OK?
Lots and lots of love,
Your nani,

Varsha