“Sisters and brothers are like streetlights along the road, they don’t make the distance any shorter but they light up the path and make the walk worthwhile “. It’s special messaging time to myDidis/Sister, unbeatable ‘Barodian’ Bijoya, erudite Sumita, evergreen Shibani and the last, never the least, the ever dependableKalyani!Let me happily also add my dear cousin Didis& sisters in India and Overseas :Khukudi, Didimoni, Piyadidiand late Rumadifrom my Dad’s side and dearBibia, Bubul, Chumki, Chotkanand Pushya from our ‘Mamar-bari’ side,in extendingaffectionate greetingson this occasion.
What a remarkable roller coaster journeyit’s been for all of us with many stories to tell the grandchildren in our autumn years. Of our reminiscences from growing up years, the funny side of ourantics and aberrations andability to remain in touch even now, despite distances & time zones. From the childhooddays are fond memories of Big Boss Didis, demolishers of the school bullies and problem solvers of homework, protectors from the wrath of parents (Mom), providers of pocket money and the occasional ice-cream !
Sisters havebeensaviours, guardians, mentors acting as our moral lodestars. Theygrew wings and came into their own, carving out niches for themselves as women of substance and bringing glory to their families and friends!The quintessential (Choto)Bhaiwith a very toothy grin and now a greying senior citizen, I remember the good old Lucknow days of sibling bonding, fights &of carefree frolicwith our sisters and cousins in the extended ‘Sinha family’ under watchful eyes of our eldersand also the delightfully idyllic holidays in Harinavi, Kolkata in our ‘Mamarbari’. Later came the exotically grand reunion meets and ‘destination’ weddings/celebrationsthat happened inour extended families.
An old ‘Karen Carpenter’ song of nostalgia goes as ‘When I was young, I listened to the radio. waiting for my favorite song..’ The old songs I still follow but memories are stored more in the heart, than in the old family albums. God bless you all and your wonderful families !
Love & Pronams (where applicable) from Sanju
Working on Living 