Rambling Roll!

A few days back, when I was returning from a good swim, the red light at the signal forced me to a halt. I couldn’t help noticing the sticker on the rear windscreen of the car ahead of me - “Don’t follow me. I’m lost, too”. With enough time for my mind to think about the warning, the first thought was that the punctuation was good. When you are a classical musician you realise the importance of punctuations - those small pauses that are of a big significance in raga exploration. And, then, I wondered at the presumptions in the statement - firstly, that I was following the person and, secondly, that I was lost, too! 

On one of my trips abroad I had met a lovely Canadian lady who happened to be a teacher. In between discussing education, she did manage to remind me of one important life lesson: “If all goes well, good; else, it’s an adventure”! I couldn’t help thinking how exciting it must be, following someone who’s lost. The signal turned green and I had to banish the thought of following the person in the vehicle ahead of me that displayed the sticker that kept my mind occupied for the 70 seconds.

I have this (unpleasant) characteristic of jumping topics when I am on a rambling-roll. I remember Meenakshi, from my college days, would always complain that she had to pay a lot of attention when I spoke in order to keep track of what I was saying. That’s one of my many unpleasant habits that I haven’t been able to discard!

Casper, a week before he passed away

As I am busy leading a team in setting up a social entrepreneurship incubation and acceleration centre, I also face the anniversary of Casper crossing the rainbow bridge. It’s been three years now but his presence in my life remains almost real. Whenever I fly, I find myself staring out of the window at the clouds, desperately looking for some pattern that resembles Casper - happily prancing alongside. In going, Casper has left a huge void that I have accepted will remain; it has become that much easier to deal with losing him. His bed, toys, toiletries remain where they always were. I, sometimes, unfairly so, also search for him in Spooky…But after Casper left, I have found the truest friends in my life - those who stood by me through my grief. After all, he wasn’t just a pet-dog that I had lost. This year, too, I feed the animals in the shelter where Casper rests. Especially those monkeys, who manage to dry my tears and turn them into a smile each time I visit!

My mid-year life-review looks good - new professional achievements, more book readings, new ragas, new academic pursuits, lovely people around me. Could I ask for more? Except that Casper should have been with me…