There is something about those twilight evenings, wouldn’t you say? The sun going down and leaving a trial of red and orange and a dash of yellow all over the sky… Birds chirping their excitement at the colors and stunning May flowers adorned plants and trees appreciating that exquisite sight of nature by fanning the world with their breeze. I love that scene and to complete the picture, I hold Aaliyah’s hand.

Love is all about moments and this one moment tops most. You want to be with the one you love when you experience something beautiful. That thought is love.

I am in love. And if you are too and are in a position where you can take your loved one for a walk, jus’ send May Flowers ecard and live the experience virtually!

My nephew graduated. And I am sulking… Wonder why? That means I am growing old. Really old. And Bob doesn’t age. Come on, he is not immediate family, but a distant relation. Either way, he calls me Uncle Bob and that is like rubbing salt in the wound. I forgive him this one ‘coz the bloke has graduated in flying colors and I’m proud of him.

I don’t know how much value those graduation certificates carry, but I am sure he has earned enough knowledge to be acknowledged with a certificate. And that is something I am proud of.

We threw a party, our whole family turned up and I gifted him a Play Station as he loves that one jus’ like every other kid out there.

No one throws a birthday party like Bob! I did what I had to do. It was Karen’s birthday and I couldn’t let it be a dull affair. I got together everyone who is dear and near to Karen for this surprise birthday party. She was truly surprised as I had arranged the whole deal in her apartment quietly finding a way to get hold of her keys, courtesy Megan.

She was overwhelmed and let her hair down like crazy. It was a sight to behold and quite a lot of fun we had. I wished Karen a thousand years of good life with good health and came home to crash in the wee hours of the morning.

It always feels good to celebrate others rather than us. With that thought, I urge you to send a birthday card to the ones who happen to have one today, tomorrow or later in the week or month. It’s worth the effort to induce a smile in the ones whom you care for.

A timely help saves someone’s day. True. A timely pat on the back inspires someone to do well in life. True.

Most of the individuals in this world crave for recognition and a little pat on the back. Money doesn’t matter. It is the care and warmth from fellow human beings that makes someone take that extra step that he wouldn’t otherwise dare to take.

Congratulate when a job is well done and encourage the professional to take up another challenge. A little note of appreciation goes a long way in making someone’s day beautiful. Try it.

Guess who this is?

She doesn’t expect you to take care of her.

She doesn’t need money from you.

She doesn’t want you to buy her expensive clothes or other materialistic things.

She doesn’t mind even if you are a sinner.

She doesn’t worry if you don’t make her smile.

But, she is devastated when you don’t smile.

Who’s this?

Your mother and mine.

The only creature in this world that doesn’t get what it deserves, but keeps the world going is – the mother. Even earth is affectionately called Mother Earth and not Father Earth. There is a reason and the reason is that it stays patient and bears us all and all our idiosyncrasies, but never complains.

God made Mom and then said, I am sending one of you to every family because I can’t be everywhere at the same time.
Go to the church and pray to God, but sometimes go home too… There is a version of Him in every home.
Happy Mother’s day folks.

When everyone else gives up on you, there is one place you can always go to – your family. You may forsake it for your selfish reasons, but family remains. Its loyalty remains. All your crime against your own kith and kin can be forgiven if you are family. Family has that special bond and that comes with the blood that relates each other. And if there is one being that keeps a family together, that is the mother who presides over the house.

Every house has walls, but to make it a home one needs a mother.

When you want her to be an elder, she will be one. She will listen, understand and guide you like no other. When you want to be a friend, she will be one. The best friend of all, as she can not only guide, but give a shoulder and look over you while you sleep. She doesn’t think of your problem as your problem, but hers and she knows what’s good for you and that’s her best trait.

A friend in need is a mother indeed!

Have you seen flowers smile?

Yes? Well, they imitate a mother’s smile in full bloom. There is innocence and there is warmth in that smile. It is a smile that has no hidden intentions. It is not self-seeking nor it expects any. It is a smile that is designed to make others happy. People smile when they are happy…

Moms smile when they want to make others happy!

Like all things in life, we never appreciate the full worth of a mother unless you lose one. To all those who still have your mothers in flesh and blood, do me a favor… Go to them more often, talk to them more often, spend a phone call time a day with them, make them smile and receive their smile.

That will give you good karma to live a full life.

Talking about flowers, my favorite is tulip! What’s yours?

And talking about flowers, can romance be far behind? Not with your love at the moment, go online and connect with your partner this Online Romance Week.

One more trivia, there is Frog Jumping Day coming up and if you want to jus’ go funny crazy and want to share a card with the people you care, make the most of it!

I wore my birthday dress and stepped into the tub. Well, I was born with nothing and therefore, I was stark naked. And then I called Aaliyah over the phone and narrated to her where I was and what I was wearing… err… not wearing! You feel embarrassed listening to this? Don’t be, because I told her this…

“Aaliyah, today is Naked Day and you are the only person in this world whom I can wish on this day! It is a day like no other. I am completely myself right this moment, physically and emotionally too, I am always myself when I am with you. It is only appropriate, I acknowledge this event by wishing you!”

Dirty heads, think different. Everything doesn’t pertain to those three words. There is a relationship beyond that. I have one. Do you?

My granddad was admitted to the hospital and was undergoing treatment for a prolonged illness. He was bedridden and needed help for basic things like eating and bathing. All his basic needs including toilet transfers were handled by the staff in the hospital itself. They were taking good care of him. One fine day, he found his feet and was up and ready to go.

He being a charmer, there were enough staff of the hospital who were impressed with him and gave him a sweet farewell. We, as a family, were touched by the generosity of the staff while my granddad said this on parting to a nurse who served him:

“I wouldn’t call you nurse for what you have done to me. I will instead call you Mother. You did all that only my mother would – feeding to bathing. Thank you, Mom.”

She burst in to happy tears touched by the gesture. We too were. There is a day to say thank you to them and that is Nurses Day. Make sure you do that.

There is always this one guy in the office who acts goofy. He is irritating and he is always full of fun. He makes you smile and he never earns respect from anyone as no one takes him seriously. I too have a colleague like that – John. He lights up the office with his smile and he makes working a pleasant experience. That is, in fact, the reason I felt bad when I understood he had a past and he is suppressing pain by being happy and joyful in front of others.

You never know what hides behind a smile. Try finding out from your colleagues who may deserve a shoulder or a helping hand.

Moment of Zen for the week for you:

No one ever got rich working 9 to 5. Put in more. Do more. Work whilst you work and play while you play. No excuses. Let that be your motto. Don’t seek inspiration, but be one!

Quite a good thought to end this week’s chatter, isn’t it?

Megan’s aunt is an administrative professional. She knows more about what their job entails than I do. And therefore, she values them more than I do. Yes, only when we are aware of something we will be able to value it. I urge you to understand how these professionals spend their work day and you will be standing in their work space with a bunch of flowers jus’ like Megan. Well, you don’t need to order for the bouquets jus’ yet and that’s because we have made some delectable greeting cards for them on their day - Administrative Professionals Day® and you can pass on the best of them to make them smile.

Arrogance of man leads to deforestation. Patience of nature is the reason why it is still the giver and not the taker. But we shouldn’t keep on testing its patience. Destruction of trees and forests is like shooting on our own feet. It will hurt us only eventually.

Saving the planet and our own habitat is not our duty, but jus’ plain common sense.

We bathe, brush, eat and breathe. Add one more to it – save nature. It is part of our lives. It is not a choice chore, but a mandatory task.

I, along with Steve and Jenny are going to plant trees on National Arbor Day. And to spread awareness we are going to send a card or two. Will you do what we are planning to do?

Have you seen a newborn kitten? The most beautiful thing in the world. It sleeps with its eyes tightly closed and that makes its face a smiley one. It looks so cute that you wouldn’t leave its side. Even Kong couldn’t resist, but lick it and snuggle and play with it. The innocence of its demeanor is so fetching and the sound it makes to get its mother’s attention is the beautiful note of music ever heard.

We sat vigil all night the day the kitten was born and it was a stray one at that. Aaliyah made some piping hot coffee and we sang and almost had a bonfire and stayed all night long. Beautiful moments for a beautiful and cute kitten.

Steve got promoted!

Open the bubbly and let the hair down. Yes, I partied wild. I am so happy for my friend that I danced for almost an hour in the company of ladies – of course! Steve with his sheepish grin was the toast of the evening.

He had cracked that test that he had to give for a shot at promotion. And landed this plum designation. His career is set and that’s a relief, source for immense joy and time for hearty congratulations.

We all want him to do well and I, personally, want you all to do well.

Until we meet next week…

There are moments in life when you feel sad and grateful at the same time. This is one such moment - Oklahoma City Bombing Anniversary. Sad for those who were affected by this tragedy and grateful that as a nation and people, we are still fighting the demons, both on the physical human front and in the inside of our hearts.

Rather than a happy occasion, a tragedy unites people a lot more. The reason being tears are more infectious than smiles. I wish for smiles and I hope you do too.

Let’s pray for the grieving and stay strong to survive.

Saving our country is important, but saving our planet is more important. It is our habitat and we have to respect that. Nature doesn’t ask anything from us. It jus’ asks us to let it be. Do not disturb it or at least do not be destructive. If you don’t have time to plant trees, make sure you don’t use plastic at the least.

If you don’t want to understand carbon footprints… That’s okay, but don’t call the activists tree huggers. Be considerate. Even nature is a being. In fact, nature is the being and we are jus’ props in its universe. We don’t own it. We are the tenants. We should be respectful towards the earth we inhabit.

Spread this word.

Typically, I would love it if weddings happen on a day when I am in a bad mood. Wait a minute. Don’t curse me. The reason I say that is that I love the ceremony and if I am in a bad mood and I have to attend the occasion I become completely relaxed and in fact, quite euphoric. I love the bridal dress, I love the bridesmaids’ excitement, love the somber groom attire, love the chatter, laughter and the running kids. It is a beautiful moment when they exchange the vows and it is like watching a rainbow on a clear sky as the wedding occasion unfolds.

Beautiful occasion and beautiful memories to take away. I honor all the wedding invites that come my way and I, of course, send a wedding card from our collection to make them feel extra special.

Talking about weddings, anniversaries aren’t far away, right? I love Aaliyah for many things, but mostly for her bright and alert mind. She reminds me of every single one of my dear and near ones’ anniversaries. I am always there for the occasion and it is always a mini-wedding occasion to me, these anniversaries, I mean. If wedding is the start of a relationship, then anniversary is the success bash.

It has worked and so the remembrance and the celebration.

It is beautiful to be part of something successful and if it is a human relationship based on love then it is even more beautiful.

Quite a lot for this week, huh?

Write your thoughts as comments…

What makes you smile?

I don’t know about you, but I have got three of them…

1. Toothless smile of a just born baby.

2. A bull dog which runs away from a little bug in the garden.

3. The penguin couples who walk almost hand in hand in the snow.

Smile a lot and laugh out loud with the moments that make you happy. It is Humor Month and you have a reason to do it now.

Here’s my weekly dose of Zen for you.

No one can make you do something that you don’t want to do.

Always remember that. Do not complain that you were pushed into something. Do not fret that you didn’t make this choice. The choice was, is and will be always yours.

Whatever you did, you planned it.

Once you admit that, you wouldn’t complain, but will look for solutions.

Inspirational stories give flight during tough times and during times of bright sunshine add loads of pleasantness.

It’s the season of Spring and time to put that spring in your step. Go forward. Life is yours!

Talking about appreciation… Have you appreciated your partner lately? Have you expressed how much they mean to you? Have you exhibited your love in the blatant or subtle way possible?

No. I am sure.

Who has the time, isn’t it?

I will tell you a secret: Lovers don’t crave appreciation. They jus’ need an acknowledgment from you that they are in your thoughts. That is all they want. And they want to know if you are okay. That’s what love is all about – Caring for each other. They don’t demand anything for themselves. Even if they do, there would be an ultimate motive wherein you will benefit out of their demands.

I would urge you to make this occasion called life sweeter by sending your partner a greeting card or two and make your soul mate smile.

Whatever you do at work and whatever you gain out of it, be it money, security and a promotion here and there, all that matters only to a certain extent. See, we humans are a rare breed. We may be proud, needy and materialistic but we are programmed in such a way that only emotions bring us happiness and not worldly things. A quiet pat on the back with an appreciative monologue from someone you admire at work is all an employee wants sometimes.

Fortunately, every work day has at least 8 hours. Make the most of it by appreciating that employee who gives his all for the organization.

Why don’t you pat me a bit too?

I make you smile, don’t I? Leave me a comment!

What is more beautiful than God reassuring us that He is there for us and what is more poignant than God telling us He has paid for our sins and He is carrying the cross for us?

This beautiful Easter day I urge you all to be at the house of God and pray for the well being of the world. In times like these, it is important for us to unite and take His name in prayer. When everything in this world looks dark, we should walk towards the light.

I wish you and your families a very Happy Easter and may God shower you with His blessings on this blessed day.

Religious hymns and candle fragrance in His divine presence is what Easter is all about. Such a beautiful blessed day that cleans the soul of even a stone hearted man. This day we should look up to Him and see what He has done for us and think about what He has asked us to do. It is time for introspection. It is time for good religious fervor and time for a day full of prayer.

Sing His songs, sing His praise and rejoice in the return of the Lord.

He created this world, He gave us His life and we should thank Him on His day.

May God bless us.

He walked a long path with trail of blood, thorn as crown and disheveled robe as His attire. There were people weeping and tyrants whipping with scary lashes. All this He took upon Himself patiently and gladly as He did this for us.

Son of God walked this earth and lived as a lesson for the human kind. A day of remembrance of His sacrifice and His good deeds is this day.

Praise Him and thank Him, but don’t forget to follow in His footsteps. His teachings are to be the way of life that will lead us to light.

Believe in it and follow His trial.

Spic and clean the house should be in preparation for Passover, shouldn’t it be?

Elaborate meals and a beautiful celebration. Such is the occasion of Passover that it unites all Jews under one roof. It is a celebration of Jewish life and a joyful celebration.

Rituals are ages old but their meaning is still profound. It is with pride that we celebrate this day for having not forgotten who we are and where we come from and what happened to us.

When there comes a day where both celebration and introspection happens on the same day, it is bound to be a beautiful day and such a day is Passover.

Wish you happiness, prosperity and peace on this day.

Talking of hope, there is spring all around and a whole lot of laughter I can hear in the green lawns of my neighborhood as I write this right now. I hope many of you are having a whole lot of fun in the season of green.

If Kong is my best buddy at home then there is a sweetheart whom I have hidden from you all. Her name is Stacey and she is quite a cutie. Oh! Yes, I am talking about our cuddly kitten who with her antics keeps us all busy all day. Kong himself is besotted with his natural rival and they have hit it off quite well.

They cuddle and sleep, eat together and play well. Surprise of surprises, Kong lets Stacey dominate with brotherly affection.

Sight to behold that one is. I wish human beings were as kind.

Tell me five places where one would like to get cozy with his lover?

I have a list and I am sure you would have one too. Here’s mine:

1. Behind a lonely park tree.

2. In a phone booth.

3. On a lonely rock by the beach.

4. Atop a tree house.

5. In a hot bath tub.

And the fifth one is quite intimate and passionate of course. A bit kinky I know, but well, everything is fair in love and war!

Everyone has that one friend who pops into our flow of thoughts once in a while. That friend who was quite naughty and quite a good buddy in our childhood times. The one whose adventures make us smile even today, but the same friend with whom you are not in touch at all.

Maybe, it’s because of that ego where we expect him to make the first move to get in touch or jus’ maybe we are too busy to even try.

Nevertheless, there comes a day when you notice him in a crowd when partying at a diner. You tentatively walk and politely introduce yourself. And then all hell breaks loose. Hugs, back slaps and a lot of expletives follow between the two and huge grins replace the awkward scene. It is a beautiful pleasant thing – to meet a friend whom you missed.

Stay in touch with the ones who are dear and near to you. If you can’t through a chat or on the phone, try out a greeting card. It will suffice to keep in touch.

In the world of pre-nupital agreements and quickie divorces, my uncle, Stan and aunt, Leslie completed their 50 years of being together in their beautiful world of matrimony. I wished them well and wished I would have a union with Aaliyah jus’ like theirs.

There are a few dreams that do come true and those are the dreams one is willing to pursue with all his heart.

This one I will.

Do you have a dream?

Tell me.