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Sleep Beneath the Starry Skies At Least Once in Your Lifetime

To travel is one of my big time plans. 2010 is the year I planned to do just that. As a kid, my parents took me traveling everywhere. It could be to the lake or the mountains, where we would sleep in tents, watch the stars shine in the sky and play games without the computers or Internet or cell phones. We fell asleep, listening to the sound of the ocean's waves and the wind tugging our hair and our skin a little crunchy with salt sprays. The beauty of such rugged life remains with me like a scent that is luring and can never be forgotten. 


Be What You Want to Be
When I look back into my childhood, those are the most poignant memories that come to life and throw shadows on my hectic life that gives me no space to even contemplate about being who I really am.  My family believes I should take a looong break and just enjoy doing whatever I want to do.  I am not ready yet because I believe I have so much more to do and accomplish before I take that break. No matter what, I will make space for myself starting this year and travel whenever I can and not let anything deter me from what I really enjoy doing.

A lot of people I know spend a lifetime talking about the exotic destinations they visited or plan to visit. Truthfully, it doesn't matter to me where I go. It can be anyplace that I haven't seen before. That is the fun of being on the go. 

The Spellbinding Beach
In February and March 2010, I visited Kochi, which is my home town, a place that sings in my veins and calls out to my spirit in a way that I can hardly explain.  This time, I visited the beach in Kannur with my family.  Adi had never seen a beach except in the movies. I can't express the joy and curiosity and disbelief that I saw in his eyes when he saw the waves crashing to his feet and then going back again as if to bring back more secrets to him. 


There was no time to tell him that I too had listened to the ocean's whispers lulling me to sleep under starry skies a lifetime ago. Maybe when he grows up and falls in love, I can talk him about my childhood. Now, I want to soak in these moments where I am becoming a child all over again and yes, a slightly irresponsible one because I so hate to be a conventional mom who goes cranky the moment her kid's toes have sand in them. No, I don't want to be a control freak. I want my son to enjoy, feel the sand beneath his feet and the wind beneath his wings. I want him to feel happy about being him.


Just the way I had been.

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Comments

vins said…
Very nice.. You really become a very very nice person andar se when you spend some unadulterated time with nature, albeit for a little while.
Nice post :) iLike
March 28, 2010 at 3:31 AM
Renjith Sarada said…
Dear Swapna,

This post of yours, touched me, somewhere, am not sure! Especially, because I type this comments sitting miles and miles away!!

Yes, I too had been through this.. Every time, think of a tour somewhere with the family, but never materialise!

Fortunately had been to Kumarakom during last vacation!!

Lets hope for the best.

Best Regards,
Renjith
March 28, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Readers Dais said…
Hi Sapna,

Yes, its those small small memories which keep visiting our heart gives us and sometimes makes us believe wat we actually are and wat we areally want,u can be thankful to u rparents for gifting u those moments...
this jan i was on vacation and had visited muzhappilangadu beach in kannur, yes the roaring waves and tickling sand is still felt,even more after reading ur post, thanks..
March 28, 2010 at 9:14 PM
Swapna Raghu Sanand said…
Thank you all for the encouraging words. I really appreciate it. It makes me feel so happy to have shared these personal moments with you through Petals!
April 1, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Pinpaks said…
Adi is going to blossom into a loving, caring, confident individual thanks to a wonderful mom like you :)

I have been privy to the tantrums of those moms who think kids should not be kids anymore - they shouldn't run, shouldn't play in the sand or mud, shouldn't make friends with kids 'below their status' and also shouldn't eat with their fingers!! I am constantly amazed with their concept of 'civilised behaviour'.

I would love to travel across India someday.. and then just go backpacking across Europe and America. :D Someday...

I love your line that says - "it doesn't matter to me where I go. It can be anyplace that I haven't seen before. That is the fun of being on the go. " You said it all in that one line.

ps - my word verification is 'mommings' isn't that so weird!!
April 1, 2010 at 11:57 PM
Swapna Raghu Sanand said…
Hey Rohini, what warm thoughts you've shared! Loved each meaningful word in your comment because I resonate with the same feelings too.
April 3, 2010 at 1:54 AM
Suman said…
first time here...must say superb write up..nice space.
May 8, 2010 at 5:05 AM
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