Gerald D'Cunha

  “Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.” Chili Davis   W hat would you call this: When my son was a little boy, I shouted and he shut his mouth; and, today, when he is a young man, he shouts and I shut my mouth? And, what would you call this: When, as a little boy, I screamed and woke up through my nightmares, my mom would put a holy rosary around my neck; today, at 62, when I still scream and wake up in my nightmares, I feel ashamed to talk about it? And, when that happens inside me, if my heart still feels the gentle comfort of my mom’s hands, even though, she is no more around me… Yes, what would you call it? D o we ever ‘grow up’ in life, or we simply claim we do? Or, as Chili Davis says, do we all ‘grow old’, by default, compulsorily, and choose to ‘grow up’ or not? I am confused, Sir! The child in me should never grow up, I feel. I don’t want to feel numb when there is a gentle touch, and, I don’t want to feel like a stone when the Sun goes...

Pic.: Vinod Krishnan I HOPE YOU DANCE I hope you never lose your sense of wonder, You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger, May you never take one single breath for granted, GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed, I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean, Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens, Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance....I hope you dance. I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, Never settle for the path of least resistance Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin', Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin', Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter, When you come close to sellin' out reconsider, Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hop...

Many a times I wonder: what makes Life worth living? I met two senior citizens, this morning. I have always admired both of them. Every time I speak to them, I come out a lot charged… “Hey, Life is worth living, worth celebrating!”… This is exactly what I feel in my heart; yes, every time I interact with them.  Mr. Harwadekar is in his eighties. “Coming Jan, I have planned to celebrate my twenty-fifth retirement-year!”… he announced, this morning, “I am excited about it!” “Well, this is something ‘new’, something I don’t get to hear from anyone around!” I exclaimed in my mind. “There is life still left, even after twenty-five years of retirement!” Mr. Rao is in his late sixties. “It takes good intentions, years of sincere effort, and loads of patience to build anything in life,” he was telling me, “But, to destroy, you don’t need any logic, patience or effort… It can go in one single sweep!” Mr. Rao was telling me about two types o...

L ast Sunday was special. It was the day, my dear student, Nivedita, along with her Guru’s daughter, Sandhya, was to perform ‘Arangetram’ in Fine Arts’ auditorium. Nivedia had been studying under me for close to two years, and of late, had become close to me. What I had liked about this young girl was: she was extremely committed to whatever she would take up, be it studies, sports or dance. There wasn’t any unnecessary aggression or unrealistic expectation from her about herself… She seemed to know her strengths and weaknesses as well and did always approach her goals with a balanced perspective about success. Besides, she would be extremely polite, respectful and least critical. Negative words about others, would never be heard from her mouth. At least, I haven’t. She would respect other people’s time and never ever keep them waiting. In short, she was an ideal all rounder that I would love to have as my student. And, yes, as my daughter, too. On Sunday, Nivedita danced lik...