We are all set to usher in the New year and I wanted to take a moment to reflect at the one we are leaving behind today. This year has been very kind to me and has even been very memorable. Principally because I turned forty this year. And since my birthday falls in September, I was 39 for a good part of 2018 - a 39 which felt more like 40. Unlike many people I know, I have embraced the 40s as the maturity that I would associate with it seemed to have crept in during the late 30s itself. So this year has been very nice that way - I have been kind on myself and I have been mature about what life has thrown at me in the past year (which is not much I must say. Touchwood). If I had a word to describe my outlook towards life this year it would be - Acceptance.
Another reason why this year has been so special is that we have adopted a very healthy lifestyle, thanks to S and have been reaping the rewards of it. We have both started Intermittent Fasting this year and are already seeing the benefits of it. S has been seriously using natural medicines to combat his auto immune disorder that was causing inflammation in his joints leading to arthritis among other things and has been successful to a large extent. It is a huge relief and a big game changer for us as he had been dependent on allopathy for so many years to treat his thyroid, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Now, he is slowly helping his body heal the natural way and I am hoping that in 2019 we see him conquering his anti inflammation disorder. I also intend to get hands on about our diet and make some healthy, delicious food to complement the Intermittent Fasting. There are many, many good articles to help understand this concept, in fact I have been badgering S to post a YouTube video on how it works and what to do. I hope to convince him in 2019 at least. Meanwhile, here is one article that you can read.
My little bunny turned three this year and has grown up into a precocious little one - taking up matters, getting independent, advising us and the like, but we have enjoyed every bit of her 3 year old self this year. There have been so many many things she has said and done that I don't think I can tire of her "Curious 3s." There have been a lot of 'why-s' from her this year and I have struggled to give a reasonable explanation to most of them, but yeah, it does get a bit annoying sometimes. Mum hit her 70 years milestone this year and I for one was happy that she welcomed it in style. The brother and family had visited us after a long time and Ana now really knows another two of her cousins. This year we really bonded as extended families came over for visits (which is a rarity!) and kept us busy through the year.
The first pic on the top left is an indication of how she has grown. Not only has she made the snow man herself in school, but also has taken the pic herself using my phone.
In all my years on this earth, this year I received a compliment which I have never ever heard being said directly at me and which thrilled me immensely. A simple, security guard in an IT park I went for a training program to, told me that I look beautiful. I was shocked and I brushed it off with a slight blush and a genuine thanks. But she reinstated that I shouldn't brush off the compliment and that I indeed looked beautiful. I remember that day till now. It brings a smile to my face even now.
My birthday was a beautiful, wonderful day gifted to me by my friends and most importantly by S. I have only dreamed of having a day of that sort, but to have lived it and to have found it just the way I would have liked, was a blessing. Right from the huge surprise by the usual shenanigans to a day in a beautiful resort gifted by the husband, it was checking all the right boxes all the way. I spent time with ana kutti at the beach, building sand castles and making sand chappathis and pizzas. The whole morning that I spent on the beach there passed by in quiet contemplation with nothing but the sound of the waves hitting the shore and the wind blowing through my hair. I loved every bit of it.
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| The beautiful, calming sea - @Radisson Blu, Chennai |
I have no doubt the New year will have its share of things to make it memorable. I pray that there are friends and loved ones to share the moments with and to share the burden of an unhappy moment. I pray for strength and patience when dreams take longer to materialize, for lots of love and fun and learning and sharing in the coming year.
Happy New Year to all you lovely lovely readers of my humble blog. Thank you so much for giving me the motivation in 2018 to write something so that you can read it.
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