If there is one word that can describe the last couple of weeks, it would be ‘intense‘. I have had to look at my beliefs and strengths again - not because of the circumstances in my life, but that of another person’s. Well, the circumstances by itself are nothing unique - or even worthy of mention. It could be called ‘domestic disturbances’, to say the least. But what really struck me, and my beliefs, is how cruel life can get. Cruel to a person as open minded, confident, and unique as this woman I know. And how that person went on to handle them - I can only say “hats off!”

But surely, she deserves something a million times better than this. If there as anything I could tell myself, it would be “life is a bitch”. And yes, I have hence re-looked at my own self, and all that makes me the man I am. The sheer intensity of what I have been hearing - from a real woman, with real problems, has made me thank the ground beneath my feet. The ground that I have always thought I could do without, but I am ever so thankful to have. I have always prided myself in being able to find words of comfort from my rational way of thinking, but this time I really didn’t know what to say. And no, saying emotional things wouldn’t have made things better because the conversations were never going that way. Of course, the objective nature of the conversations helped in making it easier for both of us not to get stuck at a level of having to say & hear soothing words. Coz after all, if all of this is a test of faith, the last thing you’d want is a rain of sentimental feelings coming and washing it away. But it is a slow and painful thought to know that even with the longest hand of help extended, her past is best only forgotten, and her future only left to the higher intelligence above.

That said, I’d like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am going on a short trip to Mangalore. Plans of visiting my alma mater are in the offing. I have always dreamt of going back to the beauty and freshness of Kemmanu and capturing pictures to stack away, in case my memory of those wonderful times I have spent there fails.

Peace.

PS: Been listening to ‘How the West Was Won” by Led Zeppelin. Man, they ROCK!