A key to happiness - a lesson from my dad - on his Bday

A Photoshoot has been the highlight of my India trips for quite a few years now. My niece told me that she awaits my arrival for the picture sessions.That conversation is stuck with me.

Now I know past weekend events are stuck with a few more families. I took pictures for 4 families. Over 1000 shots were clicked and hundreds of memories were made. But to think of it they are not just pictures, they hold the key to happiness for so many people across the globe and bring them joy. The families back home, grandparents, uncles and aunts, friends. They are seeing happy faces and smiles. The action pictures, the couple pictures, the family pictures, all of them are capable of telling so many stories. I didn’t see frustration, tears, fights or arguments, awkwardness or hesitation, I not only saw but felt the smiles and the laughter and the ease. It took time to build the repo with families but then it was a cake walk.

I drove over 100 miles in 2 days and spent two evenings photographing but I came back home feeling rejuvenated and content. I could get out of the house, see some new people from a safe distance. It was a kind of therapy for me too.

Saturday was hot and humid but it didn’t stop a young mom from dressing up in her fineries. The kid was tired but survived and gave us some beautiful smiles to capture with his car. A teenage girl was kind enough to tolerate the heat and followed my instructions to change the place or position. The parents could get out of their “parent” role and become a “couple” for some cute pictures. 

Sunday was much better and a breezy evening and was just perfect weather wise. A new home owner did the photoshoot even before moving to their new home and opened their backyard to their friends too. They are neighbors in the community they live right now. The affection and friendship was obvious, so much so that the kid wanted to be in the other family’s pictures. It was funny, he was least interested in being photographed with his parents but loved being in his neighbor’s lap for pictures.

My dad’s birthday is today and I couldn’t think of anyone but him. How he always thought outside the box and did things for others. At this age he is making a family tree for 100s of families. Something new, something fun to keep him busy . Coincidentally his daughter is also doing something different. I am so proud to be his daughter, today and everyday. Happy Birthday Papa!

PS - I am taking picture of families with special needs kids. my contribution to their happiness , please spread the word. Read here about it - Here ( my previous blog)

  loved the colors in the garden so the flower ended up on the right spot :)

 Another backyard ready for photo shoot.

 3 yrs old, on a humid and hot day, exhausted by the end of the day but was a trooper and his car and a ball did the magic.

 Finding that perfect magical car, dry leaf or grass or a bug. whatever keeps the models engaged.

 The never ending bargaining, our kids are born negotiator. I totally enjoyed the conversation. you cannot see but feel the smile on moms face and kid working with his charm for 10 more minutes of game on the phone.

Memories - lets create some - not only for me but for everyone

I have always been about making memories - it can be in form of stories, poetry, ghazals, sarees or pictures. Everything matters when it is associated with people and a specific time in our life.

My dad always loved taking picture and was very good at it. When I got my first digital camera, he was the first person I thought of. I did get this from him, a passion for taking photographs but not of landscape or nature. I am all about people, faces and emotions.

Unfortunately my men are not much fans of any side of the camera, but that didn’t stop me. I did whatever I wanted and whenever I could. 

Our India Photo shoots have been discussed and talked about plenty and that gave me an idea. I wanted to do that for the families who couldn’t go to the studio for photo shoots or have a photographer come home.

All these simple tasks are tough for families with special need children and an idea was born. I offered the families that I would come to their homes and take their pictures.

Some were happy, some were skeptical and some agreed.

I have a simple DSLR camera but that is good enough to create some amazing memories. 

I hope I do create some memories for you while making some for me. I don’t only take pictures I get some stories, learn something new about human behavior and thoroughly enjoy the process in doing what I love. Stay tuned.
#MomLovesAnand #desimomsNetwork #Memories 

 My dad, My hero - This project is all about him in many ways. Camera and giving back where it is needed most. Papa in Goa..(Nov 2018) happiest him - Ocean, his first born (me), walk on the beach and camera 

Pics of backyard all set up for socially distant photoshoot. I found it very difficult to not hug and kiss that cute kid that evening, a hug to another darling girl who is good to Jaya Auntie. I could play with her hair, put some flower on it or just give her my camera to play with. It was a very hot Saturday and there was no breeze but we all survived. see the lights magic. It was wonderful to see two new familes meet and connect. 

Happy Bday darling.. Beginning of a new decade..

It’s been so long since I write something about our life. April 10th. I was going through some difficult time and somehow I let it take over my life and soul.

It’s been more than 3 months, lots of things changed. It was beginning of spring and now they are in full bloom. I guess I did grow with them too.

Letting go can be tough but thats what the growth is about.

I think Anand’s Bday brought me back to my world. Being a parent defines your life in so many way. With him I grew too I guess.

Instead of writing something new I copy paste my facebook status from July 16th and 18th

The Bday boy gets his wish. just to stay home, do his school Zoom calls and play on his DS.

Tonight he will have Pizza, some cake and watch a movie - Chronicles of Narnia. 

I as a mother finally learning to celebrate his bday in his style. I made peace with him not going shopping and no party, no Moms Style celebration, no crowd.

But today he did video calls with his Grandmother and mausis when I wasn’t even home. That makes my heart swell. The kids has grown, not its time for his mother to grow up
Happy Bday Anand, you rock my world like nothing.

and then on July 20th 

Celebration is a state of mind? may be..

For a change I agreed to Anand’s wish and didn’t do anything mom style. He wanted simple things and I could manage keeping it his way.

A movie night, a cake with no song or candle, Pizza, and garlic bread.I did bring out some hot wheels just for the photo.

we all watched movie in our dark living room.

and I admit it was first time I sat through whole movie, not a single break. He got annoyed with my questions and talks but still managed. Happy Bday Anand- You rock my world like no-one. Stay happy, stay healthy and keep driving your mom crazy.

Today -again- someone did remind me how important it is to keep going if my words resonate with their experience. Thank you for this reminder, I so needed it more than you ever know.

Notice those hot wheels? 100s of them were part of my parenting journey. Almost all of them found a new home over the years. The last batch bids goodbye on Anand's 20th Bday.

 The struggle to find a perfect cake. Lost me in Whole foods.

Anand in a bar in Nagpur. We took all the kids of the family out, while everyone enjoyed a drink or two Anand played his music. I am glad he was there with everyone.