They were inseparable in Life and Death… — I have been struggling to write this — my way of coping with my loss is only by diverting my thoughts. It is not my loss alone — it is the loss of everyone known to her — family, friends, aquaintances and her staff. Crying is a way to lighten…

Are You Listening To Your Life’s Whispers? — “Difficulties come when you don’t listen to life’s whispers.” “If you ignore the whispers — if you ask the right questions — what is it here to teach me? It puts you in the space and place” — Oprah Winfrey Life’s Whispers: Sitting opposite a Recovery Agent negotiating to settle…

A humble spice with a host of benefits — Cloves are a spice that I use in my Indian cooking more often to flavour the dishes. The three spices often used together are cloves, cardamom and cinnamon. Little did I pay attention to this small insignificant looking spice beyond its use for toothache. I bought a small bottle of…

A walk in the supermarket and the creation evolved — Walking through the aisles in my local supermarket my eyes fell on the slabs of Madeira Cake. Once upon a time I had a sweet tooth and I probably still have, but I resist it. Sugar is not good. Cancer cells feed on it. …

When you are grateful you have nothing to complain about — Last night I ordered Pizza for dinner. I seldom order food from outside, but I am nursing a bad cold and have been enjoying the comfort of the bed fully covered up with my doona. I hoped hubby would make me a nice ginger tea and put some fish in…

Ruminations 5 — Did I rob someone? — The hot summer’s day was wearing my patience thin. The drill school uniform of a blue skirt, a white cambric shirt, black Bata shoes, white socks and a heavy backpack loaded with books added to the drudgery of the day. The public transport bus that I took home after school…

Ruminations 4: Dying values — Is a guest still regarded as a blessing? — “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill Sharing is caring. When you share your food, your time, your concern it shows that you care. It gives joy not just to the receiver but far more to the giver. This…

Ruminations 3: Let our minds be mirrors so we can see within… How aptly did Sant Kabir Das say: “I looked for evil all around, I could not find evil; But when I searched my heart, I found none more evil than myself.” I remember learning the many beautiful Sant Kabir Das’ sayings in my childhood, but its realisation came to me…

The Kirtis of this world is what we need… — “Would you like to eat Kathal curry (raw jackfruit) tomorrow?” Kirti asked me. Everyday she would come up with a different vegetable to cook and asked if I liked it. She would then say, “I have left the Kathal curry in choti bhabhi’s (younger daughter in law’s) fridge upstairs. …