Hello all, hope you are all doing well! Life has been so complicated lately, for fulfilling bigger dreams I realised what were we running after, for whom, for what and most importantly why?
These thoughts keep crossing my mind some or the other time. But then again I am digging into my treasure of memories into the past to revive my fallen spirits- these were the good times that held power and strength; still do. How our parents did not run after big things but put efforts for small things that we still cherish after we have all grown older. The little things were big things folks, that’s why their memories are still etched in our hearts and remembered fondly.
I remember attending my cousin Aarti Didi’s wedding (didi- meaning sister) in Lucknow, during a chilly winter month. That was a time when I was in college, and one of my first winter vacations after college exams. While my elder brother and sister were busy with their jobs, my younger brother on the other hand was busy with school exams preparation. Thus, my father also had to stay back. Me and my mother were all set to leave for Lucknow, to attend a wedding which I still have good memories of.
We reached there soon and that too on the morning of the wedding. While all were busy with little preparations and last minute decorations, my mom and I were welcomed warmly as we were the much awaited guests. All my cousins were in very high spirits, my aunts were already singing wedding songs and were helping each other also along with long and never ending discussions of clothes and jewellery for the evening. My mother in no time joined her sisters, brothers, sister in-laws and others in merry making.
While my cousins had taken me elsewhere where we all talked and sat down with my favourite cup of tea and samosas (samosa- Indian fried snack). My mother’s brothers were happy to see me and were waiting for my arrival because I was loved by one and all, the blue eyed boy of the family.
Unbelievably the time flew so fast that it was almost evening and everybody rushed one another to get ready for the wedding. While some of my cousin sisters were getting ready in their shiny and glittering attires, on the other hand my cousin brothers were set in their expensive sweaters and trousers. Everybody hushed me and constantly tried to send me off so that I could get ready.
My uncles were set with their finest clothes and when they came out from different rooms at different times, questioned me why I was not ready. While more than half of the family was ready except for the ones who were helping the bride and others who were working with the people at the venue of the wedding, which was right outside the house in a tent, swarmed around me and almost scolded me for not getting ready. I told them in a low voice that the casuals I wore was what I would be wearing for the evening as I wasn’t carrying any appropriate clothes for the wedding. Because I didn’t get any time to shop and hence came the way I was.
Everyone was taken aback with my reply. First nobody tried to touch that topic but after some time one of my cousin brother’s broke out and offered me his clothes. Seeing this the other one offered me his fine bright blue, latest styled sweater. One of the uncles was ready to take me to a new shop that had opened in the heart of the city’s biggest market to purchase some new clothes, he had already started his scooter and called out my name.
With a heavy heart I had to refuse him and all the others too. By this time my mother was ready in her beautiful silk saree and was secretly laughing and watching what was happening. I even secretly winked at her and told her not to reveal anything. There was a situation like that of havoc, so many were shattered to see my misery while the others were upset because they wanted to introduce this young and handsome Delhi boy to the in-laws of my cousin sister who was to be married off in a matter of few hours. My cousin sisters took every possible measure so that I could do something and not wear casuals to the wedding, but all efforts were futile.
It was time for everyone to leave for the venue to attend the wedding. While everyone was leaving I told my uncle to leave their house unlocked as I wanted to lie down for fifteen minutes as I had a severe headache and promised to join them soon. As everyone left I again winked at my mom who was the last one to leave and quickly locked the house from inside and dashed into the room where my luggage was kept, to get ready.
My father had got me a lovely burgundy suit stitched to wear at the wedding. In those days it was a luxury very few could afford. It held a great deal of love and blessings because that was my first ever suit that my parents had gifted me and it was not the money that mattered it was the emotion with which they gave me, that made me look so special that day!
After I got ready I quickly wore my matching shoes, my hair were already combed and set. With this I was overjoyed to see how the suit fitted me so well and perfectly. With this I then went towards the door thanking my father under my breath because then I couldn’t have sent him my picture or thanked him personally over the phone. I happily locked the door and when I entered the marriage venue…
The whole family was stunned and started celebrating by dancing and hooting at the top of their voices calling out my name and cheering loudly for their eyes couldn’t believe the scene. They were so happy to see my attire, and my mother was equally overjoyed to see how happy I looked and the others too.
So far this has been the best wedding where I looked the best, the most handsome and perfect! Aarti Didi’s wedding still brings back those tears of joy and fond memories of my parent’s blessings. My parent’s have done a lot for all four of their kids and this little thing according to them proved to be the biggest one for me. I still remember how my father would ask me to repeat this incident as it gave him great joy and he would never get tired of listening to this incident over and over again- laughing the loudest everytime. His laughter still fills my heart whenever I remember it, it makes me even more happier.
It’s not about material happiness that fills our hearts with joy and cheer but little things which are done out of care, compassion and pure love without any selfish or ulterior motive. That’s what you all probably of my age remember, and this is what your children will forever remember. So stop running after big things, they are not very hard to achieve, rather aim for small things. Because big cars and gadgets won’t make a big difference but how the little things and gestures make difference in other’s lives is what is the most important!
Theory Of Happy Living 