Echoes in Joy and in Ashes

So while the rest of the state went to polls today, I went to the hospital with my wife for the delivery of our first child and there she came, a sweet little baby girl weighing 3.2 kgs. A delight to us and the family. So here is the story in brief that with much joy I write. Nine months ago my wife showed me the positive pregnancy kit and I said, "check again tomorrow." Well, she did and it was confirmed. So we went to the doctor armed with the kit. The doctor double confirmed it and it signaled the beginning of a new chapter in life. And so began the mental preparation, even as we noticed the baby grow slowly but surely. As I look back I am filled with nothing but gratitude to God for his protective hand on the mother and the child.  What appeared like a long wait is now done. It has been a wonderful journey of anticipation. And what more can I ask for even as we went through occasional pains but mostly just enjoying the process. There is this wonderful hymn Ble...

As I made my way through this last week, I reflected on what had happened exactly a year ago - my weekend visit and stay at home and my dad's passing away at that visit. This particular week (with its days and dates), this year too is lined up very similar to last year's and it has been a week of retracing last year's steps as I made my way home to be with the family. To our father who is now in heaven! A year has gone by and it has been an "unusual" experience to have to do some of the year activities without you. As much as we'd look forward to the visits to our home, the realisation that you're not there has been saddening. We have sat around the dinner table and felt "one more of us" should come only to realise it will not be so. We mourned and grieved, but the best thought has been that you're home and at rest. The Book tells of the ancients who passed on to the next life as being "gathered" to their people. That expression o...