Day 2: Luzern

Today on our agenda was Luzern. We left after breakfast via train which was about a 45 minute ride.

Upon reaching there, we booked ourselves a tour to Mt. Pilatus. The tour started with a boat ride. There was a play area for the kids on the boat

So it was nice to relax while the kids kept themselves busy

However the views from the boat's decks were too good to pass. Totally breathtaking sites whichever way one looked, despite the grey skies.

We even took some selfies! :)

The boat took us to Luzern Alpnachstad from where we rode the cogwheel train to Mt. Pilatus. The ride was super steep.

We hiked up the mountain. The sun was out and the panaromic views from the top were to die for.

After spending a few hours in Pilatus, we made our way back to Zurich. This time riding the Gandola, the bus and the train. Kabir was super excited for his rides today! All firsts! :)

While walking from the train station, the city looked stunning at night. The bridge we walked on, showcased love locks...thousands of them! Now K and I want to put one too! :)

There is no doubt that today's visit to Luzern was beyond spectacular but I find myself to be the happiest when I am in the city where I can soak in the culture, the architecture and just walk to places. We were so excited to get the beautiful city views, this time in the night light.

Our dinner tonight: Holy Cow! We found it on Yelp and it was spectacular!

 Everyone had a satisfying dinner of burgers and fries and Kabir was ready to get to "work" aka build Legos. He had bought a new set yesterday. He said this was the best part of his day!     

Day 1: Zurich

After a very exhausting red eye with the kids, we have landed in Zurich!

Staying right in the heart of the old town gave us the opportunity to explore the area on foot, something we love to do!

First impression,  beautiful city with some spectacular views. Tons of cafes and boutiques and a rather laid back atmosphere. What's not to love?!

Miss you, Daddy

Daddy,

It's been 6 years today since you left us. Every year, around this time, memories come flashing by.

Tarun and I had moved into our current house on July 12th, 2009. It was a weekend and I had called you. While we were talking, I said to you that now you should plan a trip to us and you said to me "It'll be our pleasure". How those words keep coming to me.

Then on the 15th, I called mom to check how everything was; just a regualr morning ritual to call home while driving to work. There was no response. I reached office, still thinking about you and mom and wondering why there was no response on the phone. I get worried very quickly.

I tried again from the office and mom picked up this time and said you were at the hospital. You had slipped from the steps and there was head injury. How terrified I was. Couldn't focus on work at all,  just thinking about you and the situation. I kept calling to get updates.

When I got home, I just sat praying for hours; praying you'll be fine. You were in coma. I didn't want you to suffer.

There was no internet at home and Tarun had gone to the HOA meeting. I was waiting for him to get back, so I could book my flight to India. When he got back, we started to leave the house to go to our apartment for internet. We were just at the door when Sumit called with the saddest news. Oh, Daddy, how hard it was. I just sat there crying.

Daddy, so many memories that they fill my heart. From you dropping Sumit and me off at the bus stop every morning for school, how you would count to 10 and our school bus would come, buying us books from our school book shop every year, even going to parent-teacher meetings, getting us the most delicious chocolates from Ghaffar Market, the birthday bracelet you gave me, how I still remember it, all the love and affection, how you used to say, my hands were artistic as I had long fingers. My fingers no more look long. :(

I remember your sketching, the magician with his parrot. You sketched so well. I wish I had saved it then.

We just got back from Portland last week. While we were there, one night, Sumit, Aman, Tarun, myself and a couple of friends were taking a walk to the water front and I could see you in Sumit. How he just started a conversation with a passer by very casually, just like you used to do. His cool and casual demeanor, his humbleness, his social side. He has shades of you.

Daddy, do I wish things were different? Most Definitely. Would I trade your love and affection for anything else? NEVER.

I love you, Daddy and I hope you are in a better place looking over us. You are missed and loved. Thank you for always being there for us.

Forever yours,
Didu.

Happy 19 months!

Dear Vir,

You have turned 19 months today. I am sorry, I couldn't do a post for your half birthday last month but I promise I have a lot more to share this time around.

You have grown in a wink of an eye! You are equal parts cuteness and equal parts naughtiness, making it hard for us to discipline you as most of the times when one of us wants to say "No Vir", the other one cracks up and there goes discipline!

You are full of energy, when I say full I mean you are unstoppable. Cars and trucks brighten your eyes. I don't think you notice the trees, flowers and people around you. I have to ask you to look at nature too but I am starting to accept that some things are just how they are. Boys and their love for machines!

There are so many words you say now, like open, eat, aqua (Mariela taught you this and it has stuck with, milk and water are both aqua for you, or at-least they were, now, you do say milk or at-least understand it :) ), up, down, car, truck, more (this you say with a beautiful smile, whenever you like something you are eating and want more of it. We all love it.), book, bye, hi, duck, fish etc. but what started recently was Kabir playing "cops and bad guys"  and reciting the word bad guy and you repeated it right there "bad guy", I hear you say it every now and then now and I smile. :)

You have been enjoying reading books. Bubbles owns up is your favorite amongst some of the Disney Car books, Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you see? and Little Blue Truck series.

You enjoy playing with cars, trucks, working on puzzles and building legos.

You have been climbing up and down the steps with ease, running super fast, going in circles, climbing tables and chairs....

You know some of your colors and some animal sounds.

You are very independent. You want to feed yourself, push things yourself, put on your shoes yourself. You don't like any interference!

Your toilet training started at 13 months and sometimes you are able to tell when you need to go. It's very impressive. I hope you are trained by the time you turn 2. Here's wishing! :)

Daddy is your most favorite person. You are always very excited to see him and he loves you a lot too.

Recently you traveled to Portland to visit Sumit Mamu, Aman Mami and Chubz. Long flights and super active you, not  a minute of rest but not a whole lot of crying either, lots of running in the aisle and jumping on me and the seat. We survived somehow, both the times! :)

Great trip to Portland, visiting family. The weather was too hot the whole time we were there, so while we couldn't do a lot outside, we would still go out to the nearby coffee shops, water front, any shaded grounds we could find for you and Kabir to run around. When we were home, we were happy enjoying each others company, gorging on some delicious cart food and having a good time.

One day, we visited OMSI and you and K had a blast.

Sumit Mamu also took us to the Nike employee store and shoes were bought for all! It was like you were in a candy store, you have a deep love for shoes and you wanted to try them all!

At home, you know everybody's shoes and you bring the right pair out for the right person and then ask him or her to take you out and you call shoes "ooze". Being outside is your favorite thing. You enjoy playing with the ball, sitting in the car, riding your bike or K's bike or just walking and running. Being outside just makes you happy and when you are in the playground, you want to be all over the place, running, sliding, climbing...doing all kinds of things!


One afternoon, Sumit Mamu, Daddy, Kabir and I also went to the Nike Campus, which I really wanted to see. You were home taking a nap but I took some pictures to share. It's a beautiful campus and I think you will enjoy going there in an year or two.

You and Kabir have enjoyed Nani's company to the fullest, now she is in Portland and you have been asking for her since we got back. She misses you both and sends you and K her love.

Happy Growing up, Vir. To more exciting milestones, lots of learning and having fun.

Like Kabir says I love you double one hundred or some other large number, meaning I love you a lot!

Vir, you are OUR HAPPY and you are LOVED! God Bless you, Sweetie!

Mama

Happy Birthday, Mama

My dearest Mama,

I wanted to be the first one to wish you a very happy birthday! On days like today my heart is heavy and my mind is full of memories. Trips to the clock tower to get veggies and stopping for a glass of freshly squeezed juice on the way back, trips to Kamla Nagar from where you would buy me my favorite imported gum from the candy store. Trips to Gaylord for ice cream on Sundays are only a few of the flashbacks I have been having.

Recently, how much I have thought about the bread raita you used to make. Mom made the mango chutney you used to make and I am so glad to have that taste back. I still lick the plate like I used to earlier. It reminds me of you every time I eat it. I have requested for a bigger jar next time. I hope I get it.

Mama, I miss you more than I can tell. I miss the coach you were to me. Please visit me in my dreams and advice me on what I want to know. I want to learn from you even today. I really do.

Mama, I love you dearly and I am so glad to have had you for my grandmother, my friend and my well wisher; someone who genuinely cared for me and understood me. I really miss that someone. 

I am so glad to have had you as part of my life and I am so very glad to have some beautiful memories of our times together that I can cherish and live the rest of my life with. I am so glad to have our stories that I can share with my children.

Thank you for being my mentor, my friend and a very compassionate grandmother, who had the biggest heart and the warmest hugs. I would want nothing more tonight than to see you in my dreams. Please visit me.

Mama, I love you and miss you very much. Thank you for always being there and for your unconditional love. Thank you for being YOU.

Happy Birthday.

With fondest memories,
Gudiya

What Kabir says!

Thursday, April 16, 2015

While I was giving Kabir a bath, he says to me

"Ma,  I am so tall now, look at my arms. You can't believe it, can you?"


Monday, April 20, 2015

 Me: Walking K to get him ready for school, I ask him, how was your  night? Did you sleep well?

K (Gives me a deaf ear, busy playing with his new bubble gun and then suddenly asks me): Is Daddy even here?

Me: Wow, Kabir, you've had a very busy weekend, you didn't even realize that Daddy has been gone since Saturday, after your party?

K: But I want to show him this (referring to his bubble gun). I hope he doesn't come on a bad day when it stops working.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Tarun spent last week in India and returned this past Saturday. He brought with him a remote controlled helicopter that Kabir's grandparents sent for him. On seeing it, Kabir was excited to try it out. While eating lunch, he exclaimed.

"I fly the helicopter and we take a walk, how about that Ma?!"


June, 2015

Kabir to me: Ma, you know, it's very hot and when it is 100 degrees, we can melt but I don't even want to melt.  :)

Thursday, June 24th, 2015

Kabir to Tarun, while reviewing the map of USA: Ammi lives in Pennsylvania and we live in Virginia, but how do we go there since there is another state in between?

You ask such good questions Kabir, I love you more and more when I hear your interesting talks.

Friday, June 26th, 2015

Kabir, comes to our room in the morning around 7:20 A.M. and gets in the bed. I smile at him and wish him good morning.

K to me: Some people have 3 eyes. Aliens have 3 eyes.
Me: Ok.
After some pause
K: Can rattle snakes bite?
Tarun: Yes, they can bite
K: So if you see a snake, you have to run really fast, like going down the hill on a sledge.
Tarun: That's right or you stay away from the snake.
K: Or you climb up a rope
Me: Where is the rope?
K: On the wall?
Me: You know, snakes can climb the wall
K: But the wall is very slippery and the rope is 90 feet high!

I sure was fully awake after this conversation! :)