Memories Live On

A person goes away.

Creates a void. In your life. Perhaps, in many other lives. Lives that the person touched.

You learn to live on. Gather fortitude. Overcome emotions.

How?

By deriving strength from the memories. Memories of the time spent together, of the adventures, of joy and of the ups and downs of life. Memories of things that the deceased person loved to do. Memories of people and places.

Sharing some of these memories of the person you all knew. 

Many of the pictures pertain to her 70th birthday (which was to be her last!) and the last road trip we did together in May 2024. There are many more pictures, videos and other memorabilia which we couldn't include lest the story should become unwieldy.

Neeta- A Family Person

The 70th Birthday at Bengaluru. Who knew it would be her last? Multiple celebrations happened. Pictures and videos below.

The video of the cake cutting at the Taj follows

Next cake was sent by Neeta's favourite Anand Bhaiya from Sharjah. See the video and her voice below:

And the tastefully decorated cake follows.

Neeta The Traveller

She was Ghumakkad's companion for all the travels in India and overseas. Sharing below few of her travel pictures.

 

She loved mangoes (who doesn't? Well she has an uncle who does not eat mangoes!) specially the ones naturally-ripened from our garden. Sharing a picture of what we had carried to Chennai last year for family and friends.

Neeta The Animal Lover

She loved animals, birds and Nature at large. Sharing two of her pictures below.

Friends Her Lifeline

Neeta loved being with her friends. Be it her school and college friends, or from the Navy (after our marriage) or Harsh's college buddies and spouses, or from the Army and Air Force (after our inter-services appointments) and lastly her 'Kitty' gang! Her face would lit up in the company of friends!

Neeta The Photographer 

Sample one of her frames below

Her Team at Home

They all remember her and offer their respects.

Neeta Lives On

What We Said Earlier...

Sharing below our earlier posts about Neeta. In case you hadn't read it earlier, you may click the links.

Miss You Forever - Eulogies and tributes by family and friends on Neeta's demise in Sep-24.

Balancing Weight of Ghumakkad's Life - What all she loved including online shopping (off-line too!) and mangoes. Written on her 69th birthday.

Spouse's Birthday is Always Special - Posted on her 63rd birthday. What happens after 40 years of married life and more. 

Finally, here is a special video created by Ashi, our daughter. It captures the happy times that Neeta spent with everyone. Thank you Ashi.

We end with a quote about the power of memories which says, "Time moves in one direction, memory in another."

Thanks for being a part of our life. Friends and memories keep us going. Am sure Neeta is watching from wherever she is and giving us a broad smile!

Stay connetced and say a few words before closing the page. It will add to our pleasant memories.

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with inputs from Ashi/ Secunderabad/ 27th May 2025

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Seventy is Like Seven

As I entered the 70th year, it felt like the 7th! Why, what is the similarity?

When you are seven, you have lost a tooth or two. So it is at 70- you have lost a few teeth already!

When you are seven, you initially shy away giving a toothless smile. But soon you get used to it. So it is at 70- you don't come out for few days after you lose the front teeth. But soon you get used to it!

When you are seven, you love chatting with friends all day. At 70 you do non-stop talking, even though others may not like it.

When you are seven, you have few friends with whom you go out to play regularly. So it is at 70- few regular morning walkers or golf foursome or bridge partners!

When you are seven, you hold on to your old toys. So it is at 70- you become a big hoarder of 'junk' possessions. Ask any spouse of a 70-year old, and you see the reaction!

When you are seven, you develop dislikes for some foods or vegetables. So it is at 70- you hate many eatables or the way it is prepared.

When you are seven, you like to show off your new acquisitions- a watch, sun shades, or even a new colouring set. So it is at 70- you like to display your new golf set or a walking stick or a new phone!

When you are seven, you are very proud of your school. So it is at 70- grandparents never get tired narrating the proud tales of their school or college!

When you are seven, you love watching cartoons on TV or phone or computer. So it is at 70- we never miss the daily cartoon strips in the newspaper!

When you are mid way to being seven, you say I am six-and-a-half! So it is at 70- we oldies say sixty-nine-and-a-half!

So now you tell me whether entering the 70th is same as entering the 7th year of youthful life or not! No wonder it is said that 'Old age is second childhood!'

Happy days are ahead! Days of exploration, sharing and reflection. I am reminded of an old saying 'What is important is not to add years to your life but to add life to your years!'

What do you do to herald the 70th year? You peel a pile of peas! See the picture below.

As if on cue, I got a gift from the Nature. Four Brahma Kamal flowers bloomed tonight. As some of the readers will know, it blooms at night. Give or take few days, it synchronises the blooming with full moon. Just three days ago we had the full moon. And voila, the blooms arrived by magic. Picture of one of the flowers before and after blooming, is shown below. Readers may browse the detailed story on Brahma Kamal here.

Our gratitude to God, family and friends for smooth sailing so far. Thank you for being a part of my life.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 3rd Jan 2021

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