Frozen moments

Some moments in our life get frozen in time. Some good, some bad...these moments stay deeply rooted in our memory....we can never forget them.


A few hours after my son's birth, I remember hearing loud cries from the labor room nearby. My doctor later told me that the lady in that room had some complications during labor and they had not been able to save her baby. The cries I had heard was the anguish of a mother who had lost her child. That sad moment has frozen in time for me. Every year, on the day of my son's birthday, amidst all the joy and happiness, I always think of that mother who experienced immense sadness on the very same day that I had experienced overwhelming joy.

After my marriage, my first visit to India was one and a half years later after we came to the US. I still remember clearly everything that was happening as the plane started to land at Mumbai airport. The excitement and happiness that I felt knowing that it was only a very short while before I would see my parents and sister again after a very long time...there are no words to describe those feelings. That happy moment has frozen in time for me.


Some years back, my beloved uncle passed away unexpectedly. He was more like an elder brother to me. I was here in the US at the time and the news of his death came as an unexpected shock. I had just met him a few months ago when I had been to India. Little did I know that when he told me goodbye then...it was to be goodbye forever...that goodbye has frozen in time for me.


When I was seven months pregnant with my son, I had started feeling grouchy and irritable...the commute to work was long, work was hectic, there were always never ending chores to be done at home, the pregnancy had started to take its toll and I was just tired. One such morning, after the long train ride to get to work, I decided to take a cab to get to my office instead of making the long walk. As I reached my place of work, I got down and handed the cab driver his fare and tip. He smiled and said...Thanks for the tip, ma'am. I smiled back. And to that he said...And thank you for that million dollar smile. Keep smiling always.... His passing remark has frozen in time for me. He turned around the day for me and lifted my spirits up....and yes, even today, when I feel low and down, I remember that moment and remember to smile.


Signing off knowing that my frozen moments in time are mine and mine alone and these passing thoughts


I remember the first time I heard my husband's amazing laughter
I remember the first cries of my children when they were born
I remember the moments when my children first called me 'Mom'
I remember my children taking their first footsteps
I remember the first time I ate a mutton frankie at Churchgate station with a very dear friend
I remember the first time I ate tiramisu.
I remember the first time I played on the slot machines in Las Vegas
I remember the first day of my son's preschool...the day he was to be away from me for the very first time
I remember the first day of my son's kindergarten class...I met another mom who went on to become a very dear friend
I remember these and the countless other moments that are frozen in time for me......