So once again, I forgot the birthday. Forgot all about this freshly turned five-year old who has brought so much love and laughter in my life. Unlike other five-year-olds, this one isn’t messy or fussy or a terror on wheels. Never one to demand much, this one just stays put and waits for my attention and affection. And when I look back to all those years ago, it seems almost incredible that a few mouse-clicks, some hammering of the keyboard could’ve created something that has affected my life so much over the years.
Oh, didn’t I mention? I was referring to this blog.
Without it, things would’ve been drastically different. Rook and I wouldn’t have met for starters. I wouldn’t have had a platform to find clarity and sanity (and you can imagine how important that is to someone who’s usually just a coffee away from completely losing it.) And last of all, my list of acquaintances would’ve been pitifully short of some of the most interesting people I know today.
And the good bit is that while it may have started being all about me, it’s become much more than that today. It would be terribly egoistic of me to make that statement, especially about something as prosaic as a blog, but the other day, I got a mail from a friend I hadn’t spoken to in years.
This is what she wrote:
Hi Veda, Congratulations, first of all. Hope you have a very happy married life. It’s been long since we’ve been in touch but had to write to you to say thank you. I was missing Mumbai in cold boring Delhi. And on a whim read your blog, especially the entries under `Bombay’. Can’t tell you how much i enjoyed myself. Thanks a heap and God bless. A
I don’t know if you feel this way or any way about this blog. But if it’s given you a moment of respite, a brief flicker of a smile, a tiny window to look out of while wading in ennui, then I’m thankful. And humbled.
Thank you for reading The Other Veda for the past five years. Ego-boost junkie that I am, who knows if I’d reached here if it wasn’t for your comments and the praise?