Its time to say goodbye !

It is late, lazy morning. I can feel that the day is going to be cloudy. All the routine sounds and smells in the surrounding seem so familiar! I stand near my favorite window and glance at the road below and see the life bubbling with its usual, frenetic energy. As I feel the gentle breeze, soaked with humidity on my skin, the wind chimes sing their playful notes. Everyday, at few quiet moments like these, I am embraced softly with the warmth and beauty of this awesome house that I have been living in, since last seven years.

"Madam, I am leaving. Please close the door and don't forget to eat your meal on time." My maid's commanding voice breaks my indulging silence of the moment. I am woken to the reality and check my "things to do list" for the day. For the last couple of days, I have been occupied with house hunting exercise and whizzing around from one house to another in pursuit of a "good house". Despite knowing that one day I might have to shift to another house, I didn't realize how subtly I got emotionally attached to this lovely place. Ever since I shifted to this beautiful city, I have lived in this house. Moving out of it and settling down to a new one (no matter how fantastic) is emotionally fragile experience. And now that the packing has began, I wonder what all do I carry along?

There are some of the finest memories of conversation sessions with friends and loved ones, post supper that lasted almost till the dawn! The spontaneous debates, sharing and belief in the dreams of one another or regenerating a pulse of falling self belief that unfolded during those lovely times of muted zone. The first time my son got the fracture on his hand and the bandage that he was so looking forward to (actually!!), his friends coming over for night stay at every possible opportunity, or the big day, when my son turned teenager and looked so proud having reached that stage finally!!! The awesome times when I went for walks at the beautiful garden of the building or endless times when I accompanied my son to the club for his swimming and squash sessions.

There are countless lovely memories of this house that has always served as a space where friends, loved ones and neighbors found immense peace and comfort. Some paid visit to read a book, to borrow some music CD, to laugh, cry, to be sheltered or just eat and feed on sheer delight of togetherness with lots of fun and laughter, while some also visited us just to feel the positive vibes of the house! There have been times when I have craved for some time for ourselves but friends have denied it without an iota of guilt and barged in nevertheless. But, when I look back at those times now, there is a great satisfaction of nurturing energies that have translated into some positive experiences and outcomes.

The time has arrived when I would shortly have to say goodbye. At the new home, few things would remain the same. At the parties, stories would still be narrated that would keep the audience captivated, music would still be played from my collection that would transform us and in some magical way help us get in touch with some inner part of ourselves at some precious moments. There would be some new friends, experiences and learning at the new home. In short, the party continues! Its just that the venue is changing.

But before I move out, I must thank God for the truly special and wonderful time we have had in this lovely home. It will be etched in our hearts forever! Whosoever comes to reside in this house after us, may find all the happiness and peace that we experienced here. Thy say, change is the only constant thing in life and I must move on with precious memories in my heart.