We ended 2012 in a simple yet fulfilling way.  Most of the clan spent time around Dad & Mom, watching bit of TV, and mostly talking about trivia of the world, while kids had their own individual rendezvous around the palatial house.   Though most of us assembled after dinner, still other siblings (Ramesh, and Padma) got us the delicious food to munch.  Aniketh remembered that left over Diwali stash was still in my car, and had a blast firing crackers with his cousins, welcoming new-year.  We ended the late night with all kith and kin taking blessings from Dad & Mom.

Next day (today, Jan 1^st, 2013), Suresh hosted get together for the entire clan at his newly built dream home.  Except (Divya who is now in Detroit), remaining dozen kids and rest of the siblings were at the event.   Radhika (now full fledged Yoga Teacher, and Guru Pooja Pandit) did guru Pooja, conducted meditation for young and old, and organized a mini satsang

Suresh (my younger brother) and Sharada decided to go back to the roots, and chose authentic and most basic menu for the lunch he has hosted.  That was a smart move, and everyone loved it, as we were all tired of fancy fusion curries and sweets.   They cooked Tomato Pappu, Vankaya Masala, awesome & difficult to cook Badeelu (never saw this curry being made outside our khandaan), Tomato Sambar, and White Rice. Basin Chekki was the desert.  Basin Chekki used to the most common sweet in Hyderabad weddings few decades ago.  No frills sweet, but tastes awesome.

As usual, I was busy with my SONY SLT DSLR and snapping away the memories.  Now most of the clan stopped complaining, now that they tasted the importance of memories and specially my iMovies

2012 was kind to all of us.  Dad is recovering nicely from serious illness discovered last summer.   It was great to see Dad and Mom finally agreeing to join and bless these mini events, and enjoying along with us.

I thank myself (and also Radhika who cornered me to return to India a decade ago) because of the events such as this (click the video to know more), which strengthens family ties between generations, and keeps all of us sane.   Though each of us 5 siblings (and the kids) are unique in our own way, with distinct & some times conflicting thought processes and interests, I feel that there is hidden cammadarie, bond and unity among us whenever we meet.  I think, it is also what they call, DNA too.

See video to feel what I am saying.  Here is some words of wisdom gathered over the recent years.

Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You’ll look ten years younger. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I love you’. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world. It is difficult not to believe that the next year will be better than the old one! And this illusion is not wrong. Future is always good, no matter what happens. It will always give us what we need and what we want in secret. It will always bless us with right gifts. Thus in a deeper sense our belief in the New Year cannot deceive us.

Finally, here is the link to the video that I am raving about.