Petals!

Christmas involves a magical journey of introspection, reflection and self realization. Picture perfect post cards maybe more tempting but the inner journey is what strengthens the beliefs and adds greater meaning to the occasion. At times, you may even wonder if the seasonal magic is overhyped but the truth is that by the end of the year, we need to celebrate our new learnings, friendships, experiences and those moments that added so much fun to our life. Christmas packs in the spirit of love. It heralds a new awakening that brings so much joy to our loved ones in the form of gifts and surprises. This Christmas, the Secret Santa gifts that I recieved from my dear friends in office (Mayank and Priya) made me so so happy. Chocolates, a beautiful stole made from the softest fabric with hints of gold twirls on it, a beautiful Lord Ganesha on a swing and a wooden figurine of Mother Mary brought me so much joy. More than anything, their thoughts that led to the buying of t...

Luanne Rice is an author whose easy writing style is peppered with compassion, just the way I like it. At a huge discount fair in a mall in Delhi, I stumbled across some of her novels. I thought, why not, the covers and the titles look so homely, why don't I read what's in them? Her novel, Silver Bells, is a simple story of a Christmas tree man from Nova Scotia. His name is Christy. He loves growing these trees and works very hard to make a living for his two kids, Danny (a.k.a Harry Houdini) and Bridget. Despite the weather shocks that can destroy his work in lightning speed, Christy lives to sell these trees in 'uptown' New York where the rich are miserable but believe that buying expensive things can make them much happier. But his son, Danny, has a sharp, intelligent mind. He wants to make a difference to help his father. He wants to study and follow his big dreams in New York, the city that can make dreams come true. His father fears for these big dreams, the way p...