Grateful By Ketaki S. Vaidya

countless sleepless nights at least one thousand overflowing diaper bins hundreds of toys taking over the house a bag full of bottles, napkins and safety pins When you wake up every morning  to a cute, naïve babble It is then you realize that the price is right A long list of groceries a busy day running errands dishes to be cleaned, waiting in the sink time passing by before you could even blink When family eats together with everyone in sight It is then you realize that the price is right it takes changing your habits and a string of compromises a life long commitment and unbroken promises When you have your family which is worthy a fight It is then you realize that the price is right  

  You are a rain shower   In the midst of the fierce summer A special moonlit night  That arrives once in a year  A shoulder to lean on  When I don’t feel very strong A hug to hide in  When things go really wrong You are a calm place Where I can sit and cry You are the safe heaven Where I can soar freely high You are my crazy friend  With whom I can laugh and talk You are my journey  With a very pleasant walk Though you are my journey  My destination is in you You are in my thousands moments  And also in very special few You are that soul mate  About whom some people keep talking  You are my wish come true  That I never knew I was making 

 I was planting the seed  thinking about tomorrow's sprout I missed the fragrance of wet soil and the calmness of water from the spout  I was looking for the leaves to grow  impatiently waiting for the green I missed to look at the sunshine beauty of the season remained unseen I longed for the flowers to bloom  when the tree grew handsome and big I ignored the soothing leaves didn't see the nest on the twig I was eager to taste the fruit hoping and worrying if it will be sweet So I missed the scent of the flowers and the marvel of the petals so neat There always was a new goal ahead when the previous one was met I was smart enough to plan for the future but not wise enough to enjoy what I get.   I don't know if the prize is right to pay for the future's goal when the payment is all the precious moments  that sooth one's very soul. 

I was looking for a friend to walk with with me in laughter and in pain wherever I looked I found instead someone busy with different priorities someone occupied with prejudice someone taken over by judgmental mind many people with jealousy, comparisons and false egos.  So I decided to be a friend instead exactly the one I was searching for and then I saw individuals in need  looking for help looking for healing looking for support looking for comfort looking for just a sheer togetherness Now I feel worthwhile because I am a friend to others  almost the one I was looking for I still wish though that hopefully one day I will be able to think wisely to get pleasure out of the relationships  without any strings attached I will be without any self doubt  to stand alone and to help others in need.  I will be so strong that I can get strength from the universe and never feel directionless when I feel lonely!    

Have you ever thought?  The mom that fixes every meal No matter how many things she has to deal Did she get any time today ?  to enjoy a meal at peace during the day?  Have you ever thought?  The nurse and the doctor who takes care of you whether it is a major surgery or a minor flu was there anyone sitting next to them when they were sick and were not feeling the same?  Have you ever thought The police who saves the town who keeps you safe and hunts crime down How did she feel  during the moment of the fear when she was fighting alone with death so near? Have you ever thought?  about the friend who is always there who always listens to you with utmost care how does she deal with the moments she feels lonely when she shares her fears with herself only?  Have you ever thought?  People who face hardship with a smile They also need to cry and take a break for a while It is important to know about the people who seem strong It does not mean for t...

जिथे वाहते पाणी त्याला तसाच चढतो रंग  तसा बदलतो आकार मनाचा जसा आपुला संग  संग जसा मिळतो वाऱ्याला गंध तसा दरवळतो  आपुल्या इच्छांचाही ठेवा मित्रांपाशी मिळतो  फुल उमलते सूर्यासंगे कोमेजून धुक्यासव जाते  भरकटते मन कुणासवें तर स्थिर कुणासव होते  श्याम जिथे मिळतो राधेला दोघांना भक्ती उमजते  तसाच दे रे संगही मजला ज्याच्याने स्थैर्य गवसते  

When the sky is sunny and blue When the flowers bloom with their best hue When the butterflies are seen in the meadow  And the sky is brightened with a rainbow  I want to walk beside you  Telling you how much I love you When the ocean waves shine silver When the sun penetrates every cover When the heat takes all over And the earth longs for a cool shower I want to walk beside you Assuring you how much I love you  When the leaves from the tree start to fall When there is no sign of new flowers at all  When the cycle of life and death feels very tall And everything changes whether big or small I want to walk beside you Feeling the feel of how much I love you  When the brightest snow piles up in a mound When the nature is quiet without making any sound When the sunshine in the sky is hard to be found And the winter wonderland takes over the ground  I want to walk beside you  Cozying up and saying I love you  It doesn’t matter if the sun is brigh...