Meet Marietta   I’m Marietta Pereira, 61, a homemaker, a trained primary school teacher, and mother of two boys, currently living in Mumbai with my better half and navigating the empty-nest phase and silver years of our lives.   Advancing age comes with its challenges, but you're also more at peace with yourself in many respects.  I love being around kids, and my brief six-year spell of teaching first and third graders was some of the most rewarding years. Raising kids, as I learned later, is quite another cup of tea. I am what I am… You get what you see. I’ve come a long way from a shy and awkward little girl that I was to a moderately talkative woman participating in activities that keep me in the public eye to a small extent.( I serve as lector in the church I attend.)  I’m no paragon of virtue, but those who know me would say I am the proverbial ‘good girl.’ I’ve come into my own late in life, but then, as they say, “better late than never. " I c...

Where words fail, friendship speaks in silence. You hold my hand And walk with me, Through valleys deep And over mountains steep. Just your presence It's like the sweet fragrance. Of a flower so beautiful. You understand; you care. You know my heart's desires. That's all that matters. Not the incessant chatter. Our friendship Spans distance and time. The silence is not jarring. It's really quite becoming Of two friends who need no words, But simply know That each is there For the other. It's a silence. More precious Than silver or gold. It's as warm as the morning sun. Not icy cold. For where words fail, Friendship speaks in silence.

 The Song of Our Bond—Book Review   Book Title: The Song of Our Bond Author: Pinki Bakshi Number of Pages: 100 Publisher: ukiyoto     The Song of Our Bond, a 100-page novella written by Pinki Bakshi, is a poignant tale of childhood friendship, love, resilience and relationships. The story is set in the 1970s in Eastern India. The tale centres on 9-year-old Bengali Meena and 10-year-old Oriya Kasturi. Meena’s family moves to Khurda Road in Orissa from Kolkata, and it's there that she meets Kasturi. Kasturi helps Meena navigate the unfamiliarity of her new home. The girls strike up a friendship as solid as a rock. Does the friendship remain rock solid? Soon, circumstances force them apart when Kasturi and her family move to America. Both girls are heartbroken. Kasturi leaves behind a teddy bear for Meena, whom they call Kassy. Meena finds solace in Kassy. She whispers her doubts, fears, and insecurities to Kassy. The girls continue to remain in to...

    It was in college as freshers that Deepa and Anjali first met.Anjali was being teased by some seniors and Deepa came to her rescue asking that Anjali be left alone.  Then they found themselves sitting next to each other in a crowded classroom. Deepa, the bolder of the two, smiled and asked, “Hi, what’s your name?”. There was no turning back. From long chats in the canteen, and even longer chats on the phone to sleepovers, shopping expeditions, and discussing movies, books and clothes Deepa and Anjali became inseparable. The years flew by. Deepa began working for a bank in another city, while Anjali secured employment in a bank in the same city.   “I’m getting married”, Deepa yelled into the phone, one day.  “That’s great,” Anjali yelled back. “Congratulations! When is the big day?” Deepa had confided in Anjali about her blossoming romance with Ashok. “It’s in two months. Mark the date on your calendar.” “I will, I will,” said Anjali excitedly. ...

  Forging Friendships   Once upon a time, in 1980, in Jamshedpur, a bunch of girls graduated from different high schools in the town and enrolled in the local women’s college to pursue a degree in Commerce. As they transitioned  from school to college life which was an entirely different culture, the girls were drawn to each other and friendships that have spanned distance and time were forged over Mills and Boon and mutual friends.   A Treasure trove of memories Their college years were marked by unforgettable moments and adventures   Bunking class for movies They sneaked out of class to watch the silliest of movies at the theatre a stone’s throw away from college. Chai and Confessions Gorging on deviled eggs and Jhaal muri and drinking endless cups of chai in the college canteen while making true confessions and having deep conversations marked those happy years. Rotary Phone conversations Endless conversations on rotary phones and letter...

  One fine morning, I decided to get down to cleaning and decluttering stuff that lay beneath my bed. It was a task that I had procrastinated for far too long. I went down on my fours, pulling out dusty boxes and clearing cobwebs. As I pulled out and went through the boxes, I felt a huge wave of nostalgia wash over me. Each box held items that connected me to my past. Cards, letters, diaries, clothing and other memorabilia.   My mind drifted back to friendships that had shaped my life. Some have fallen by the wayside and some still thrived. One particular friendship stood out from among the rest. Despite the miles that separate us, Celia remains a close friend and confidante. We’ve shared so much. Lost in my reverie, I stumbled upon a neatly wrapped brown paper package. My excitement is akin to an athlete approaching his finish line. I tore open the wrapping and heard myself squealing loudly in delight as I gazed at what lay before me. My husband asked me if I’d found a ...

  Lessons Learnt Until Now.   1.    Change is the only constant. Our life on earth is not permanent. One day we shall all depart. Circumstances, situations and people in our lives are all subject to change. Changes happen for the better or for worse. We are happy when the change works in our favour and are called to accept, adapt, adjust and accommodate if the change works against us.  Sometimes, though you dislike the change, it is good for you. The change may bring to the fore your abilities and talents, and see you coping in adverse circumstances or simply break you.  A financial setback has changed a lot of things for me. Yet, it has taught me to count my blessings and be grateful for the smallest of blessings. Hence, as often said, 'change is the order of the universe and nobody or nothing can defeat change. As much as I would like to live in a comfort zone, I have learnt that life has this knack of making you most uncomfortable.  ...

  As you journey through life, you meet people of varying personalities, shapes and sizes and nationalities. You relate to some and slowly but surel y a friendship may be forged. Some friendships last a lifetime and some just fizzle away.  A strong and true friendship is generally based on qualities such as generosity, kindness, honesty, loyalty, empathy and other positive traits that will strengthen and hold the bond of friendship. However, every human being comes with his share of quirks. Friendships are forged in spite of the quirks and varying interests. The quirks may draw you to one another.  Your friend circle will include, chaddi - buddies, friends made in school and college, work friends, neighbourhood friends, and train friends, if you happen to commute by train. Virtual friends are the latest addition to your friend circle.  Virtual friends are those friends made on the internet. You haven't met them in person. You communicate with virtual friends through ...

  Tring tring! Good, bad and sad news you did bring You have forged friendships You have mended a  broken relationship. You have been privy to secrets galore, as whispers went to and fro. Through you, moms have exchanged a recipe or two. As a teenager, Many a moment I have engaged in enjoyable chatter Until I heard dad holler, "When are you going to let go of that receiver?" There are fewer of you today,   Your counterpart, the mobile holds sway. Looking at you Fills us with nostalgia and   memories a hundred and two.  Dear rotary phone, Red, green or blue, We will always miss you.