I Wish I was a kid...

Hey Guys,

Was sitting on the lawn waiting for my usual pickup home from the city this weekend, i saw 2 kids happily running around and playing. And just looking at them a few thoughts ran into my mind which im sure you also would relate to when u saw kids playing around, coz deep down the proffessionals lies a small kid who is waiting to come out. So i guess i would be right wen i say...

I wish I was a kid -

Coz mom smiled wen she heard me cry 4 d 1st time,

Coz d world smiled wen I smiled,

Coz d word "LOVE" only came out only for parents,

Coz runnin around was not to catch a local train,

Coz a mistake ws forgiven by treating a frnd,

Coz deadlines only came at exam time,

Coz dissappointments came only when we scored low n exams,

Coz takin a break meant summer holidays,

Coz a wada pav substituted for a burger and gola fr a Baskin Robbins,

Coz travelling atop in a double-decker bus was like travelling in an aeroplane,

Coz football was played even wit a plastic ball and not on PS3,

Coz we would ride a cycle witout a helmet and not worry about a pothole,

Coz gettiing wet in the rains would bring joy and not the frustration of reaching d office drenched,

Coz hommemade food was far better than partying at hotels,

Coz we were innocent and immature and yet our actions never caused hurt,

You will find fewer reasons to grow up and be mature but many reasons to enjoy life with the same fun as the time when we were kids. Dont loose the innocence in you for anyone.

Its good to let the innocent and trouble-maker child in you at times in order to bring fun and luaghter in yours and in the life of others.

We are all children in the ees of God so be what you are to be.

One humble request to parents, do not snatch these from the children since this is the only phase of life which a person will remember and miss the most all his life, till the time he breathes his last.

- Sylvester Francis

This too shall pass... - A Beautiful Sermon

I know many of you would be thinkin how can a "Sermon" be beautiful since most of us dozed off on our parent's lap when we were kids and then when we grew up we used to poke each other with the elbow and to show the other who was sleeping and giggle around...Yes those were the good old days..


But at a Christmas mass a couple of years ago, the priest shared a beautiful story which has really inspired me so thought of sharing.


"There was once a King who was always at the extreme end of emotions. When he was happy he was very happy and when sad, he was very sad. So the king thought to himself that could there be something that can keep him neutral all the time, niether very sad nor very happy.


So he called a meeting of his trusted members of the council of ministers in his kingdom and declared that anyone who brings a "thing" which made him not feel too happy or sad, he would be richly rewarded by the King. And so the ministers set out in search of that special thing. They went all around the world, went to the rich and the poor but could not find that special thing which they were looking for.


Dejected he was, a minister gave a last attempt and saw a poor goldsmith working in a shop.He asked him if he could make something for the king who would in return reward him for his deeds. So the poor man went inside the shop and moulded a ring and gave it to the minister. As soon as the King saw the ring he at once called the goldsmith to his palace and rewarded him for he had pleased the king with the "ring" that he had moulded. The other ministers were dazzled at the gesture of the King and inquired as to what the goldsmith had made since they thought it was just a mere ring. But the king said to them, that this isn't an ordinary ring. And read to them the words which the goldsmith had inscribed on the ring.


It read, "This too shall pass away.."


Many a times we are either too happy or too sad in our own worlds. When we are happy we think of the fact that its our own achivement and that nothing will go wrong from now on and at times when we are sad, we are so dejected that we forget to tell ourselves that, "This too shall pass away.."



 

Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom...

My first blog and no better way than this. In our culture back home in India, we always seek blessings of parents before we start something new. Hence on this beautiful occasion of my Parents 30^th Wedding Anniversary, writing a few lines for them.

16^th May 1981, 30 years ago a man and woman unified by the Holy Institution of Marriage, became Husband and Wife. Though they didn’t have many riches with them but what they had with them was simplicity. Though they were poles apart, Mom from Pune and Dad from Mumbai, yet they had a good level of understanding between them. In the next few years they were blessed with 3 children though I lost of one my elder bro at birth, but that did not deter them from raising 2 young boys who would be their future.

Dad was always not with us since he was working abroad even before I was born. But my Mom & Grandmom ensured we were raised with utmost care and love. I still remember how we used to wait for Christmas for Dad’s arrival and he always used to come like Santa with all presents and chocolates in his bag. Every Christmas morn me and bro used to find a big bag full of goodies which was supposed to be kept by Santa and on one Christmas with the curiosity of seeing Santa keep the bag, I didn’t sleep whole night awake under my blanket only to find mom and dad fill in somethings in a bag and keep it near my head.

During the years, I had the best Teacher at home who taught me Language, Math, Logic, Psychology, History and many more lessons in life. She used to share her experiences about how she and dad had to go through tough situations at times and it was there that I learnt my first big lesson, that Life’s never easy, but its upto u how u live it.

All during the teen years where many wander around and flounder at each step, we were held very well  by our parents and really the seed of a mature life was sown right then into us. Looking around many of the so called well-to-do kids had many things which I desired to have. But, the way our upbringing was it was always a question of whether it’s a need or a want. As u can postpone a want but not a need. Mom used to always tell us and remind us that, “Do not look at someone who has more than you but look at those who are not as privileged as u are.”

I still remember those days when we used to save every bit of our pocket money either given by mom or by selling newspapers in order to buy things that we really wanted. As all of our needs were taken care of even before asking, by our parents. These small things really impacted our minds and our thinking and the sense of saving and spending only on priority things has really helped us even though now we are getting better pay cheques as compared to a meager monthly pocket money. The small things also included bits of advices at just the right time that helped us a lot. I still remember after passing my 10^th Grade I was confused on what to consider for my career option but my dad’s small piece of advice made me decide what I had to do.

Dad has always been very inspirational for me as he has seen a lot of tough times and obviously living apart from family for a decade is never easy. Add to that living in a time where communication was through letters while other modes were expensive. He truly is one of the persons whom I look upto. I really wish I be like him. Although I do have some of his qualities but I still see myself well far away to what he is and what I am. A very silent speaker, who spoke only when needed to us, but which would really be the kind of advice you would want to hear.

My mom is the best a son would ask for. Never ever lifted her hand on me. Always loving and understanding. Had her own way of influencing someone even to make u understand that you made a mistake. Kind, loving, generous, I could go on and on. Havent yet met a woman who is like her. The pain and sufferings that she went through raising 2 young boys to successful men was unthinkable. Even now, for a person who never ever touched a computer in her life has learnt to chat online just to stay in touch with me. That shows the love she has for people in her heart. Which mind u is just not for her family but for people whom she hardly knows. She is the one who has instilled all the qualities I have in me. No wonder many who see me and her together have said that I am like my “Mom”. I take pride in hearing that and I so wish that I could be like her.

Thanks Mom and Dad, for you have made me who I am today. It wouldn’t have been possible without u. I must say I really miss u both for not being there to celebrate this beautiful day.

I LOVE YOU BOTH A LOT.

Wish you a blessed and Happy 30th Anniversary. May you two be always together and may the love that we all share never go away..

With Loads of Love,

Your Younger Son,

Sylvester.