Birthday 2024

 This was one of the most memorable birthdays ever. The young one had her 3 day silver DOFE trip, so the plan was to cut the cake the evening before. The super seven were planning to come over but at the last minute dear A had to be hospitalised due to severe migraine, so that plan was rescheduled. 

But in a surprise twist, S had sent a gorgeous saree and jewellery set as a surprise gift which was very touching.

On a side note, though things were touch and go, had donated for annadhanam at the community centre for 30 @£5 each . This was also in place of the temple ther donations that were also being asked for. 

The young one had been very kind and thoughtful to me for the past week ( may this long continue!) and that already made me very happy. She came back from singing and before packing for the trip, she took lovely pictures of us all as a family. They had gotten cakes and flowers on their way back from singing. After the cake cutting session and lots of hugs and kisses from both, I relaxed while for the first time, the young one did all her camp/hiking packing for 3 days with absolutely no inputs from either of us. The only think I had to ask her dad to help wtih was to cut her toe nails right to the bone as the hiking would be too hard on the foot otherwise.

The next day I was up super early and  I went to wake her up and the first thing the groggy bug said was ' amma, happy birthday, I love you' and my heart just melted :).  She till had atleast an hour of sleep available. Did a quick prayer as usual and her dad dropped her at school at 7 am for the coach. He also dropped our Coco to the his friend Hector's place on the way back. We got ready and were out like a shot to London.

The drive was pleasant to say the least. Parked the car in Ra*ner*s lane. We then caught trains and tubes to London's best bakery the Tar*n bakery. And boy was it worth it. It was just a boutique place with place for just around 10 people, if that. But the almond croissant, the gooseberry and almond tarte, the walnut bake, the roasted almonds, hazelnuts, caramelised onion, tomator, cheese curd and ricotta salad sandwich on freshly baked sourdough, the honey and lemon cake with lemon curd, the pain au chocolat and the foccacia and of course the 'kulhad' hot chocolate ( though it was called something else here!) were out of the world! Half of this was given to us complimentary since the baker realised it was my birthday. Though it took as around 11.50 to reach there, the food was absolutely worth it. We could not, of course eat everything, so we packed it and set out on bus to enjoy nostalgic memories of central London and go to Kyo*to garden in Holl*and park.

We went to the first seats of double decker buses and thoroughly enjoyed the journey. The weather was absolutely gorgeous as well. The front seats were not easy to come by but come by they did and the rarity of it helped us savour it , just that much extra. The park was gorgeously green strewn with lovely colours. We had some icecream first in the park restaurant, pushed our dinner restaurant to later, given how full we still were and explored all relaxing nooks and corners before we made our way to the Fukushi*ma and Ky** gardens. Tranquility at its best! The gentle waterfall on the rocks  and the koi populated still pond with Japanese trees and garden features relaxed us instantly. We checked on A via phone ( M anna was being flippantly comical as usual!) and took out our loot from the bakery to enjoy. As we took the first bite of the almond croissant and the foccacia , we knew just this made our day special. The taste was that good!

We had a couple of squirrels and pigeons gently begging for food who we shoooed away as it was against the rules. We really, really relaxed especially at the bench facing the waterfall which again came free only post some waiting and walking around. We savoured it to be that much special when it came to our turn!

The toilet facilities were very neat for a public park. We freshened up and set out to the All Saint*s church. Once again double decker buses and eyes feasting on the gorgeously elegant central london properties. I had visited the temple with K on my star birthday ( the morning of it was rainy but had a fun birthday breakfast with D and S at the boutique Pau* at 41, Harb*rne) so, given I was wearing western and had nostalgic memories from my convent school of peaceful chapels, wante dto visit this central London church. The church was completely empty except for one single old gentleman. K and I had a really calm time at teh church enjoying the gorgeous stained glass windows, decorated tiles, wonderful triple height ceilings and the drawings. We lit a candle and prayed to Mother Mary with the baby jesus in her hand. For me, that figurine is very close to some of the deities in my religion and is my most favourite lady to pray to in a religion that is not what I follow in my daily life. I find looking into her eyes and surrendering to be very very calming and reassuring.

We tried shopping and gave up as it was too boring. We went to the Kolam*b* restaurant that was a 5 minute walk away. The blues restaurant next to it had some wonderful jazz going on. Once again the food was flavours we had not experienced before and the symphony in our taste buds were a delight.  These guys also sweetly lit a candle, sang happy birthday and gifted a mango shorbet. All in all a good meal.

Another group of friends N and gang checked to see what time we would reach home as they wanted to come over. I was touched but unfortunately we would not make it back on time, so let her know.

We came back to pick our car and drove back home listening to the best ilayaraja songs as the day melted into darkness. K and I were so comfortable and so in sync with each other on this day, it made the day one to always cherish ( Not to forget we had a tiff the night before and slept in seperate rooms and K made up by wishing and apologising on my birthday - I was planning to make up in any case as I realised late in to the night that we were just both tired from the week). We missed both our young ones, R and Coco but with both these out enjoying with their friends safely, we had no rush, no responsibilities and had all the time to ourselves - it was complete bliss.

We reached home with one hour to spare before my birthday ended. Had a little chat and a sweet conjugal end to the day.

 The super seven said they are planning to come the next day as A is feeling better. 

I was, just a couple of weeks before, at my lowest, what with the conflicts with the young one and my career going nowhere near where I want it to be and my health concerns for K and how I was nto losing weight no matter what I did.

All that aside, I had a truly blissful day and for that I am grateful and learnt two things. Not to take anything for granted and to ensure this is sustained by being more adjusting and to understand that , always, there is calm after the storm and vice versa and not get carried away either way.