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2023 - The Year That Was

Places impact you for a variety of reasons. And the same place impacts different people in different ways. This is especially true when it comes to spiritual experiences, where every single person’s experience is unique. And personally, every spiritual experience is unique, the same person can have different deeply spiritual experiences at different places, at different times. This thought has emerged because of my own experiences over the years, but especially so this year, with different and unique experiences at various places I have visited recently. I began this year with a visit to Baroda (Vadodara) with friends. It was meant to be a relaxed trip, a touristy trip, with our sons. We enjoyed ourselves to the hilt, but the highlight of that trip was a visit to the Lakulisha temple at Pavagadh. It was the iconography of the temple that I connected with, and I spent a few hours simply lost in the details of the figures carved around the temple. There was an indefinable connect with

Random Ramblings.....

Usually, when my blog shows signs of neglect, it is because I am travelling, or suffering from writer's block. This is the first time however, that I have genuinely had loads to write about and loads to share, been in the house, near a net connection, and yet been unable to write.

My father-in-law passed away on the 10th of July. He was in the best of health, so it wasn't just unexpected, but also a shock for all of us. As we struggled to cope with the loss, I was struck with so many thoughts, I itched to pick up a pen and jot them down, but none were on hand, thanks to the state of our house (and of course, our mind). 

Today, as I type, the rain is lashing outside. There is so much work to be done, but we aren't in the mood to do anything... just yet. I have so much to write, but the words refuse to come. 

As I try to focus my thoughts and write about my travels, I realise that my mind is still filled with thoughts of another journey.... the last one we all take. It is the one we know the least about, and I guess the only one no one looks forward to. It has been described as the ultimate journey, the final adventure, and many other such words, but the only truth is that we know nothing about it. 

Over the last 13 days, listening to the priest talk about the path my father-in-law's soul was taking, I couldn't help but wonder if it really was the horror we imagine it to be. Journeys in life are always so interesting. Wouldn't then the final journey, this one to God, be just as interesting. Which begs the question - Is it the obstacles which make a journey interesting? Would we really enjoy a journey which was a peaceful walk with no obstacles, difficulties, or troubles? What is it then that we look forward to? 

My father passed away almost 34 years ago. From what we have been hearing over the last few days, a year on earth is equivalent to a day in heaven. Which means, its just over a month for my father up there, wherever he might be. Has the month been just as long for him as it has been for me? Or has the supposed duration of the day by his reckoning made it easier for him? It has certainly not been easy for me. 

As I see my husband and sister-in-law mourn, in their own way, I can't help but feel for them. They have no idea yet of the sense of loss - the feeling that never goes away, no matter how many years pass. The rituals do their job, keeping us all busy. Our relatives and friends are a big help, staying by our side in this time of need, remembering hilarious moments which make us all laugh. It is obvious to everyone that the laughter is deliberately loud, as if it will drown out the tears before they spill, but we laugh anyway. 

13 days of rituals are over. We slowly start getting back to our daily routine. It is now that we have to face our loss, come to terms with it, and get along with our lives. It isn't going to be easy, but it needs to be done, nevertheless. 

In a sense, a journey has ended, another one has begun, and there are lots of journeys in various stages of progress. That's all life is, isn't it? The most adventurous journey of all?

Comments

  1. Condolences, Anu. I remember you telling that he wanted to go to Kedarnath but his doc prohibited him. Now that remains unfulfilled!

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    Replies
    1. THanks Bindhu. Yes, that remained his only unfulfilled wish. but we are thankful that his end was really peaceful and he was really active till then.

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  2. In my thoughts I am still in the two days that I spent in Mumbai. I completely understand every single word that you have written. I so totally agree with you.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Aparna! the fact that you were able to come to Mumbai and spend time with us the way you did speaks volumes about how things are meant to work out!

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  3. I am so sorry to hear this sudden demise Anu

    Loss of a near one is always a period of self awareness...
    Laughing, Loving, Living is also within the process of grieving...let it all come out...for all of you...
    Please pass on my condolences to your family
    take care

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Sowmya! Self awareness is so right!!!! so many thoughts come at such times... which is where the company with us matters so much at such times.

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  4. My heartfelt condolences, Anu. I completely empathize with your thoughts... I can imagine how the family would be feeling right now. The loss of a dear one can not be explained in words.

    Again, may his soul rest in peace.
    Take care.

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  5. Take care and be back with a bang!



    http://renuka-voyagerforlife.blogspot.in

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  6. Really sorry to hear about your loss Anu. Do take care and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yes that is one unknown destination for all of us, travelers.

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  7. Sorry to hear about the loss, may his soul rest in peace...

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  8. Hi, my condolences to you and you and your family.

    ReplyDelete

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