This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 33; the thirty-third edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The theme for the month is 'Celebrations'
It was Diwali and we had assembled at our farm house for the
Annual Family Get-together. Ours was a very big family. My father had four
brothers and two sisters. My dad was the eldest of all. Each one had two children's and we were all a power pack bunch.
This was big fat party and everyone was having a gala of a time.
The uncles were having their drinks and game of billiards. The aunties were on
a high with their society and kitty party gossips. We cousins were having our
share of fun. The smaller kids were on the dance floor while some lazy ones of us had
resigned to the couch.
There was static silence as my dad was wheel chaired inside the
house. None of them could believe their eyes. The big man of the family was
down to this. He was a father figure to everyone present there. It was only now
that everyone was informed that he was diagnosed with Cancer a few months back
and currently undergoing chemo cycles.
The sense of oneness, the fact that we all were connected through
blood was very evident. Each one felt his pain as though we were experiencing it
ourself.
My heart wrenched seeing him like this. We had always seen him
as one of the most joyful, spirited and always on the go, and fun loving
person. One who always was shoulder to shoulder with all the kids in all the mischief’s
and pranks. He always defied his age. Our family patriarch was losing his
shine. Was this going to be his last Diwali with us, my heart questioned
with moist eyes. I was startled at this thought. Will the Celebrations ever
be same again without him being around. I was fumbling and lost for words and
it was the mood around.
He being our mentor and guiding light all through our lives
could sense it well. He called all of us to the hall. He raised a toast to all
of us and got up braving the pain and difficulty. He then went on to say
something which completely changed our outlook towards life:
I see all of you are sad and have grown sympathetic towards me.
This is not what I warrant and have never felt so helpless ever before. I have lived
my life on my terms and never surrendered to any the challenges life has thrown
to me, I have taken them on the
chin always and will continue to do so.
“Some of us will
get cancer,
the coronary
disease will hit some,
Sudden accidents
will happen,
also the deadly
disease will come.
Some may fall to
an epidemic,
few may be
victim of error,
Some may still
survive,
try and revive.
We may grudge,
but it is a
fact,
We cannot nudge.
It will keep
dripping,
boundaries of
our lives,
telling us how
unsure,
everything is.
Eventually it
will get,
to each one of
us
Its only
certain,
why then it,
still haunts us.”
I don’t need an Occasion
I celebrate life,
Life to me is a journey,
Where I am on Bon Voyage
Where everyday is a Celebration!!!
KARAN
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