Grateful By Ketaki S. Vaidya

Both my daughters recently attended one birthday party. After party, they received goodies in small bags. They were looking at their goodies and were getting all excited about it. "You are so lucky!", my elder daughter said to my younger one, "you got berry flavored candy. I wish I got it as well. " she looked a little disappointed. I smiled at their conversation. I thought, when we are little, our problems and definitions or luck are so simple. Just finding a berry flavored candy is related to who is lucky and who is not. But then I thought, it is just not the childhood, all our life we mostly are thinking about "luck" factor with our own perspective. What is this luck after all? Luck is our own perception of happiness. But then what is happiness after all? It is again very very subjective. A diseased person might find a healthy person lucky. A lonely person might find a family lucky. A homeless might think that the person who lives in a hut is ...

Some people said girls need to only follow orders they can not make their own decisions but then some "bad" girls managed the whole house raised great kids and took care of their families Go join them because you have it in you. Some people said the best work for girls is only cooking and cleaning but then some "bad" girls build bridges, managed huge finances and cured nasty diseases Go join them because you can definitely do it. Some people said girls are shy but then some "bad" girls walked down the ramp danced like a pro sang their hearts out Go join them because you totally deserve it. Some people said girls are weak but then some "bad" girls wrestled with destiny broke some bones and fought at the borders Go join them because quitting is not an option. Some people said girls are bad drivers but then some "bad" girls drove the fighter planes fought the terror and saved many lives Go join...

I still remember how I met them for the very first time! It was handed over to me by my mom. It had a peculiar smell of newness. The pages have very fine finish and were pleasant to touch. The pictures were colorful and mesmerizing! I knew the books will make good friends since that moment itself! Then I kept on meeting them. They were more like toys. I could put them anywhere. In the toy chest, in the swing, next to my dinner plate, in my bed, anywhere and everywhere. Mom told me I can not pour water on them though. They inspired me to try writing and drawing. I thought, I could write or draw in them just like some one else has done it. Of course I did not have any idea that my friends were introducing me to literacy by doing so. Further we all started preparing for my first day at school. It was so much fun to buy new books. Back then, we used to put covers and labels on books to increase their longevity.  The whole process was so much fun! In school I spent most of the...

Walk alone and do not fear You were alone when you came here When you will start walking the path will unfold you will find many fellow travelers who were untold It is very difficult to walk alone so far but the light will be provided by your personal star when you will be tired you will find a place to rest the universe  always knows what's  the best enjoy the luxury but remember nothing is yours it is best to join travelers who work like "givers" 'cause we all are alone and we all need to walk we will all fly alone even though we stayed in the flock