Dear Man or Woman who lives above the clouds
31st December 2010. 11.30 pm.
Like you know, Mom (say hello to her for me, will you?) instilled this culture in our home of ringing in the new year with a collective prayer session in the God's room at midnight. So while all my friends partied and did the countdown to 12 midnight, we would start our celebrations with sweets and ice cream only after 12.30 am when the prayers were over. Now, since I barely remember the meanings, or maybe do not understand most of the prayers that will happen in about twenty minutes, I thought I'll try and write my own version of the annual hello to you.
Somehow I never believed in making new year resolutions. They are almost always broken, necessitating further resolutions stemming from regret and disappointment. However, since more than one person-to-be-taken-seriously has predicted a calamity to end the world in 2012, maybe this is my last chance to buck the trend.
Twenty ten was, for want of a better word, an extremely volatile year. There were enough and more painful moments that will never be forgotten, with just enough of the spice thrown in to keep me going. More importantly, there were enough and more occasions that I grabbed with minimum hesitation to anger people, estrange them from me, and perhaps create enemies for life. But there were enough and more happy moments, blessings if you will, that involved the making of new friends, strengthening of a few friendships, and rediscovery of a few more.
Ten minutes to go. I have never believed too much in apologies. Like someone very close to me once said, sorry doesn't make a dead man alive. But maybe it'll give me a little peace of mind, so I'll admit my mistakes, and try not to make them again next year. In return, maybe you'll be a little kind and give me some of those "happy moments", in a different form, so I can savor something for 2012 as well.
This year, I won't clamor for anything from you. You have your own style of dishing it out, and I respect that. It's not going to be the same if you removed the roller coaster from life. Bring it on - you know what's best for me, I'm sure.
Sigh. That's about it. Thanks for all the spice. Thank you for Sheila, Munni and all the entertainment. Thank you for Deutsche. Thank you for the lovely days in London - and all the shopping. Thanks for Mumbai - and the endless materialistic entertainment it brings. Thank you....for everything.
Cheers
Still hoping you're up there
Oh yeah, for everyone who's reading, happy new year.