Women Lines

I never thought that I will feel so happy sometime in life while watching few (not all) serials on our Indian Channels!

Yes , its true! I am staying in Singapore for last 3 years and at times I feel so much disconnected with my country, specially around festivals, marriage parties and other gatherings. When I watch such serials, specially like Sasural Genda Phool and Yeh Rishta Kya Kahlata Hai, I just miss that warmth of relations which is shown  between various characters. Whether it is between two sister-in-laws or cousins or any relationship.  In India we still value relations and at time of need everybody is there around you. There are so many occasions to celebrate and you can share your happiness with so many people around. Love filled communication with relatives and teasing between youngsters fill the home environment with uncomparable joy.

Just like others, in foreign countries we also get used to routine schedule rushing after some dream, trying to reach desired destination. In the ,meantime we forget that life is just not for destinations. It is for bonding between people. Friendship bond, bonding between relatives, brothers, sisters,  and so many other relationships which just happen by chance. May be with your old neighbour. In fact that bonding can happen with your maid too. I was just mesmerized when my MIL’s old maid desperately called her sometimes back to share news about her marriage. I mean she literally called her in Singapore and requested her to attend her party. She has worked for many years at my MIL’s house. Special bonding and love between her and my MIL was the reason behind it!

 When I watch these serials it reminds me who am I and where I belong to. To be honest, then suddenly I realize that I am missing so many things and start searching my Indian identity within myself. I am also  not able to show my kid the importance of relationships. Somehow I feel good if my kid watches those serials as he comes to know different aspects of relationships which we are not following  here. I want to congratulate directors of both the serials who have come up with such brilliant topic and who have stressed on the importance of relations in everybody’s life.

Happy viewing!

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity;when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts”-Washington Irving 

I just love this day!

This day has always been a beautiful day for me as it gives me a chance to do something special for my mother. I always try to think of doing something different from every year, how can I make her feel special. Every daughter around the world must be making special efforts to plan a perfect day for her mother that day. After all mother’s are so special!

It’s interesting to look into history about origin of mother’s day in Wikipedia .In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases “second Sunday in May” and “Mother’s Day”, and created the Mother’s Day International Association. She was specific about the location of the apostrophe; it was to be a singular possessive, for each family to honour their mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world.

This is also the spelling used by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in the law making official the holiday in the U.S., by the U.S. Congress on bills, and by other U.S. presidents on their declarations.

Common usage in English language also dictates that the ostensibly singular possessive “Mother’s Day” is the preferred spelling.

In today’s techno era there are so many things you can do to mark this day a special one. Just type on any search engine  on internet  you are bombarded with so many ideas, how to celebrate the day. Online shopping has made life easier for some of us who cannot physically be present with their mother. You can send her flowers, gifts, sweets, jewellery, gadgets, anything which you buy considering her preferences. If you can be with her that day then best way is to spend whole day with her, go out for shopping, eating out, plan a movie.

It’s such a busy life for everybody nowadays, many daughters can prefer just spending time with their moms at home , just chatting with her(not crying about their complains in life!), asking more about her, trying to know more about her through interacting with her, what she wants more in life, how are her friends doing? This can be fantastic planning as it will lead to a more friendly relation between you and your mother, and now your mother is sharing with you about her life choices instead of you sharing about yourself.

Just surfing the net I came across some movies and books regarding mothers which I will love to share with my readers.

Books-

The Adventures of Mighty Mom: It is a beautiful book written by Gwendolyn Mitchell Diaz which inspire mothers that they are the best. It emphasize on her utmost devotion and love for her child. 

Mothers are like that: This book is written by Carol Carrick. The book throws light on different species of mothers. A special relationship between a mother and her child has been highlighted. It lay emphasis on how a mother protect her child from worldly dangers and is always their for her motherly support. 

Dear Mom: Thank You for Everything: The book is an honest reflection of children’s thoughts and love for their beloved mom. Bradley Trevor Greive has used beautiful pictures and true words as a tribute to mothers everywhere. 

Love Lessons from My Mom: ‘Love Lessons from My Mom’ written by Kelly Corbet can be a prefect gift for anyone who has special feelings and thoughts for mothers. A quote from the book says it all, “A love lesson can come dressed as a baggage handler or a bag lady, from a family counselor or a drive-you-nuts member of your family A love lesson might even come in the shape of a flower growing in your backyard. It’s all in the invitation. So if you’re open to life, there’s no telling what great joys you’ll have over for tea or meet in a parking lot.” 

All That Matters: A Mother’s Memories: This book by Janis Hogan tells us that most important moments in our lives are day-to-day and minute-to-minute. The author has written the book as an eyewitness. We get into the story the way she creates the picture. She evokes importance of special moments in our lives. 

Some popular books by Indian authors-

Janani: This book is an exemplary piece of writing by Rinki Bhattacharya. The book brings together autobiographical writings of women from many walks of life. Janani explores motherhood in detail. The book has proved to be an immensely readable volume not only for mothers and daughters but also for fathers and sons sharing vivid relationships. 

Ma Keh Ek Kahani: This book is a set of 2 books. The book is specially meant for young kids. It carries a selection of 28 moral stories for children.

Mother India: Extremely fascinating book written by Gayatri Chatterji won itself a lot of critical acclaim not only in India but also in other countries. Mother India is highly a touching and serious melodrama which moves towards tragedy and hardships which a woman face when she loses everything form her husband to her home. This story was featured into a Bollywood film which was first to be nominated for Oscars. 

Movies-

Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich is a movie starring Julia Roberts, Albert Finny, Aaron Eckhart and Peter Coyote. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the movie was released in 2000. Erin Brockovich is the story of a single mother, who fights against the injustice meted out to the common people.

Nine Months
Nine Months is a beautiful movie that shows the transition of a carefree guy into a matured and responsible man, when his girlfriend gets pregnant. It stars Hugh Grant, Julianne Moore, Robin Williams and Joan Cusack. The movie was directed by Chris Columbus and was released in 1995.

Parenthood
The story of Parenthood revolves around the sensitive relationship between parents and their children. It shows what happens when the parents set too high standards for their children. Directed by Ron Howard, the movie stars Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Jasen Fisher, Dianne Wiest and Keanu Reeves.

Stepmom
The movie Stepmom was directed by Chris Columbus and was released in 1998. It stars Julia Roberts, Ed Harris and Susan Sarandon. Stepmom is the story of terminally ill mother, who has to accept the new woman in her ex-husband’s life as the stepmother of her children.

Terms of Endearment
The story of ‘Terms of Endearment’ revolves around the relationship between a mother and her daughter. Directed by James L. Brooks, the movie is an adaptation of the novel by Larry McMurtry. It stars Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson and Jeff Daniels.

Relationships are very important for every individual and the mother daughter relationship is unique and sweet one as both can relate so well to each other. There are so many things to make your mother special, just do it and don’t forget to say I love you Mom and enjoy the smile on her face forever-Happy Mother’s day!

Are you having troubles in understanding each other in your marriage! Watch movie Fireproof.

Never leave your partner behind ….. with this message behind , Fireproof is an awesome movie, and a must watch for every married couple, no matter at what stage of marriage you are. Its about love, hatred, sacrifices, ego, attitude, compassion, gratitude and much more.

The gripping story follows one man’s desire to transform his life and marriage through healing power of faith. Kirk Cameron as Caleb Holt, a heroic fire captain who values dedication and service to others above all else.At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules. The most important partnership, his marriage, is about to go in smoke. Growing up, Catherine Holt(Caleb’s wife) always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter…just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage, Catherine wonders when she stopped being “good enough” for her husband. Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have readied them both to move on to something with more sparks.   How he comes out of this situation, how he faces all oddities and his ego problems, the story has no loopholes and you will never leave your seat till end. Its such an inspiring story.

FIREPROOF is the third movie co-written and directed by Alex Kendrick. Along with his brother Stephen, Alex has written FLYWHEEL and FACING THE GIANTS, the surprise theatrical hit of 2006. 

If you really love your partner and want to improve upon your relationship, grab the DVD of Fireproof!

It just dawned upon me that we are in dearth of closer relationships in comparison to our previous generation!

True relationships are rare these days. As we get busier with our lives we devote less time to our relations and one day suddenly you realize that there is no warmth in your relationship. At times I think that friends, with whom you interact more become  more closer to you than your relatives. I wonder how to make such relationships more closer and stronger where everybody only says I am fine!

Honest relationships are those where you really care for the person and are really hurt if you find the other person sad. Many times husband wife relationship  becomes formal when both start saying to each other I am fine, what about you? Its odd, you stay together, eat together, have same family and still are not aware about your partner’s dream. That’s the loophole of any relationship. Be it friend, relative, husband, wife or even with kids. Demand for today’s time is to have verbal relationship. We say we don’t want to speak others feeling by speaking to him about his shortcomings. But then you are spoiling the relationship. Life is like really a puzzle, you don’t speak when you are required to speak, and you only speak when you are not required to speak.

Effort should be made to know the otherside completely. How you can aspect the other person open to you when you are not ready to listen to him. If you are not interested in his dreams, his likes, dislikes, what he thinks about other issues then why he will give you importance. Try creating interest in relationship and thats the key to any successful relationship!

Its gives a strange feeling to even write  what I felt after seeing the photographs of boy Alfie holding his baby daughter in his arm!

No use of blasting the European culture of upbringing kids, or effect of modernisation on kids, or effect of access of different media on kids. It sounds cliche if we discuss it. Things are changing fast around but never realized that fast. Boy who is 12 year old involves himself with a girl, next door, sleeps with her and fathers a baby! He trys to portray himself to be a responsible father and says he will look after his child with full responsibility.

What to comment? That boy was living in such an environment that he was aware about the act of involving himself with a girl, and then getting her pregnant. Isn’t it alarming? Being a mother I am in a shock! How I will safe my kids childhood? How I will protect my child from all negativities of the media?

How I will safeguard his innocence? I am full of insecurity. But no choice I have to live with it….

Its really time to get alert. We as parents have to take certain steps to safeguard our kids childhood innocence. I am in a dilemma how to go about it! Should I remove all the access to media from my home. Should I stop bringing magazines, newspapers. Should I keep my kid at home only. Its tough to decide.

I am really confused. I can just trust my God and the way I am bringing up my kid. Morals and values definitely help in giving kids the right direction!