A thanksgiving to remember

NR  spent the day on CB’s shoulders and happily enjoyed his dad’s company.We didn’t have any special plans for thanksgiving this year due to NR daily schedule and our forthcoming trip to India. I was not even able to plan a simple thanksgiving meal since I was sick for last couple of weeks. I was little disappointed with myself for not celebrating NR’s first thanksgiving in a special way till I switched the TV on  in the evening.

I thanked god for giving us this peaceful evening filled with warm meal, warm house and warm company. This song which I sings often came to my mind.

It brought back my memories of Sep 11th 2001. We woke by a frantic phone call from a friend .We saw horrors of planes hitting the twin towers on TV. For the first time in my life I was so depressed. I went thru depression for more than a month in my way leading life like a zombie not able to feel happy or satisfied which was totally “not me”. My daily commute to work and daily tasks got me thru the tough time.

I learnt to see this world in a different way like my fellow Americans. We witnessed the generosity of this great nation. Both government and community came in a big way to help the victims. Most Americans move on and lead a normal life after this great tragedy. It taught us to be ready as couple to face the unknowns. It made us to prepare our estate planning and other essential stuff .

This thanksgiving evening I saw the generosity of the community again.  A Reserve Army soldier had bought a home in Kennewick, WA. His home owner's Association president threatened to sue him for not landscaping his yard. The soldier is serving in Middle East and the landscapers he'd hired skipped town. His pregnant wife was staying with her family in the east coast. Thanks to 65 volunteers 18,000 sqft of lawn was laid at his house within couple of hours. Read the news here.

I am hoping the community of Mumbai  and Indians in general should show the spirit of  kindness and courage during this difficult times. Our prayer goes to all the fallen heroes and victims of Mumbai city.