The Gift of Family time!

How does one enjoy family time? 

What quality time do we provide our family? 

Do we really take the time out?

And is Giving time enough?

Is having meals together only the family time left?

So many questions...and yes plenty of answers, justification etc....some valid, some just over the top and some just not enough. I see around, people do spend time together, family time. With the hectic lives that we lead , to spend time, to remove time becomes a task, but we still do. But is that enough, yes guess so..But most of the time it isn't. So what is that is missing....its the concern behind the thought, do we really understand what is going on in the minds of the people we care so much, we love so much. We are fairly good in understanding the people we care, but rarely do we want to know whats happening in their lives even when we stay under the same roof.

Many a times, I notice people having different dinner times. The elders have their dinners early and the youngster have it late or vice-versa...and all that they do is watch the TV together just before they go to sleep..So is this the family time, we talking about. Probably yes, if that's the only time available. They sit glued, sometime interacting and sometimes not a single word is said..just plain simple watching. And at times  the silence is stretched too long....what is it...this silence is suffocating at times or is it simply delaying or giving oneself time to express. And this happens everyday in their lives... It's ironic to see that the TV is the only thing that's binding the family together. 

Life is all about sharing our happiness, sorrow, the togetherness, when we are with our loved ones..and its not about simply spending time...but understanding the feelings behind the face, behind the gesture, behind the conversation, behind the disagreements. When someone shares, are we there to listen, are we there for them, in that moment. Agreements and disagreements are a part of our life. Sometimes in due course, we take the  family members for granted, we assume and expect things. And yes sometime we are justified too..in demanding things, in expecting them to follow or behave in a certain way. And what if one day they behave differently, how are we going to react. Are we going to lose our head, or are we going to take a step back and think for a moment, why did someone behave like this? what did happen. So are we there to listen to their whispers, to listen to their sighs, to their woes...or simply just listen to what they have to say.  Do we really know whats the favorite incident in their lives, what is the scariest moment they have lived, which is the story that inspired them, which is the thing that gets a smile on their face, have they ever felt low , has anyone been bothering them lately, what are the things that they like the most etc...... 

Its actually simple to be there, to give the quality time.,  but our busy lives, our disappointments, our disagreements, our prolonging grudges keep us away from the things that needs to be looked at it is to be felt within. Its easy to go off the track. It is in times like this, we have to catch ourselves...know that the time we do spent with our family , is actually a Gift!

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This is My Gift!

Its one of those days, when you sit back and wonder about the things happening with you. And yes, right now am feeling a bit relieved and a bit uneasy. How long a wait is long enough? that's the question. Everything happens for a reason, and there is no choice but to be strong. Its been nearly 5 months now, nursing a fracture. And honestly, though its not been easy, but somehow...I think I am managing well. Some times , it takes longer to heal, but am OK..as long as its healing. However things are at the moment, I am filled with gratitude. My parents, have been the biggest support and they still are. When I look at them, it makes me want to get better soon. A thought does come, at this age...I had to put them through all this..guess it was in the destiny. We are there together and that's what makes me happy. My mom is like the rock of Gibraltar, a very determined, energetic and courageous person. I get my strength from her. For her, I wish to get better soon. And yes there are few people without whom this phase that am going through wouldn't be complete, Every person in my family, especially my nieces n nephews, their unconditional love, has been motivating. Simply not motivating, but its been fun.. I remember just last month, while I was resting my leg(with the plaster) on the floor, my nephew of 2 yrs, used my leg as a slide to slide down. It was funny,  wish I could have filmed it. In all this he made laugh so much. My other nephew, has been such a wonderful soul. I remember, he laying down the mats on the wet floor, so I could walk well with my crutches. and he is just 10, where did he get this understanding. I felt so touched by his gesture. This incident had been etched in my life forever.

Not to forget my friends, who have been there. praying and wishing all the time for me. Some of whom, have kept me company , coming online at the same time , just so that they can be with me, to make me feel better. There are few who encouraged me to think things over, there are some who even called up, just to know how I was doing. There are some, who just come when they know they are needed.Its a task for me to climb steps, and it is then that I really need help. and without even asking, my friends pitch in to help me.Its something in their heart for me, that has allowed the healing to take place. This is my Gift, the gift of unconditional love that I receive all the time, and that's my strength too.

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