"WONDER"LUST

Whoever made this world, this whole creation from the mountains to the oceans, from the grasslands to the deserts, the entire flora and fauna and everything in between, is a wizard beyond my linguistic and mental faculties can fathom. This wizard also created man and gave him stupendous wizardry to create, discover and invent the most magnificent of things but he didn’t give it all. He still has some mysterious and miraculous alchemy exclusive to himself, probably as a gentle reminder, always to remember who the boss is.

Nature is majestic, wonderful and beautiful is no new statement here but the fact that it incessantly awes and inspires you is incredible. The deeper you look into it, richer are the marvels unravelling in front of your eyes. I witnessed some of the most breathtaking spectacles of Nature on my last trip. It literally took my breath away.

 Cruising in the Abatan River, beneath the velvety skies of Bohol, I wasn’t really expecting one of the most enchanting sights of my life.  Like all, I had also seen some random fireflies glowing in the gardens and hill stations earlier. But witnessing thousands of them on a single mangrove plantation, flickering like an unending series of rice lights just blew me away. It is like watching a thousand stars descended on a tree and twinkling in sheer exquisite beauty. It’s simply magical.

Delving into the functioning of its tiny body only intrigues you more. As the fly takes in oxygen, it reacts with the chemicals in its body and makes it glow like an ember. Mostly, they glow to attract mates. How aesthetically romantic! Those illuminated trees in the dark stillness of the Mangroves were mesmerizing to say the least.

The next in line were the dancing dolphins, as we sailed with the rising sun into the Bohol Sea. It was of course a Dolphin Watching Tour where the sightings are guaranteed during that time of the year. We were anticipating them eagerly, and the moment you see them appear and dive in the open sea exhilarates you to no end. God, they are so charming in their movements. Schools of them just emerge from below the water and sway perfectly in synchronisation with the waves, tossing and spinning for that extra delight.  We watched them jive for a good 45 minutes all around the boat and it just filled me with wonder and admiration for the Creator.

But the world that lay ahead and below me, truly and simply captivated all my senses. I have snorkelled a couple of times before and each time the underwater world is fascinating. But the reefs and the marine life around the Pamilacan Island were breathtaking! I have never seen something so marvellous, exotic and exquisite in my life. It could possibly be one of the best reefs in the world. Snorkelling after a really long time, I was quite apprehensive to take that first plunge into the water but one glimpse of that magical world and you just crave for more.

The vibrancy of the underwater world is surreal.  The immense variety of fishes with their infinite possibilities of colours, patterns, shapes and their inimitable grace just numbed me with glory. The sheen in their scales, the finesse of their fins and agility of their tails is so harmonious. And they have some of the most astonishing body features. Next the coral gardens just took me by the most gorgeous surprise. Precious corals in beautiful hues either swayed nimbly or rested calmly in the pristine waters. Add to this panorama, some dramatic landscape of sudden deep valleys and gorges and raised plateaus below the sea. No matter what I write, I cannot reproduce the beauty of that experience in words. It is definitely to be felt.

I wonder can there be a better designer, architect or engineer than the one who made this world? Categorically no, humans can never even come close to the vast fabric of imagination and perfection spread over this creation. Man has accomplished phenomenal progress in all, from technology to infrastructure, from art to architecture, from education to entertainment, yet its brilliance fades away like mist in comparison to its natural counterparts.  Nature is like a bottomless treasure trove, where you keep digging and it keeps getting amazing. What I saw is just a fraction of the cosmic and ravishing creation waiting to enthrall us.

Observing and experiencing this magical mystery, I felt humbled and grateful to be a part of it and at the same time felt proud to be witnessing it.  It felt like an epiphany where the paradox of my existence came clearly to me. In the lofty scheme of this grand world, I am an irrelevant, nonentity inhabiting one corner of it and yet in all its irrelevance I am a unique being, a unique soul who has its own perception and perspective of the world that can affect and change it. How remarkably astounding it is that every single organism has a role in the running of this enormous Creation. He is one hell of a crackerjack magician sitting up there!

FROM BEING A DAUGHTER, TO A DAUGHTER’S MOTHER...

Of the myriad roles that a woman plays in her life, a daughter’s part is the most cherished of all. A beautiful little being who mollycoddles in the cocoon of warmth, mischief and tender love. Her girlish charm enchants from the moment she first holds the comb to her hair in dainty innocence. And her adorable antics and theatrics enliven the quietest walls. She is her mother’s pride and her father’s delight.

I never felt extraordinary about being a daughter myself. But becoming a mother of a daughter, it gives me a very different sentiment. The most sensitive part of a daughter’s life is leaving behind her home of carefree joy, a place she thinks she owns and where she spins from trivial to lofty dreams. But one auspicious morning she is out of there, making a new one for her.  How ironic it is that in the passing of a few hours, “my home” becomes “my parents’ home”, “Saboo” became “Mimani” and “Jamnagar 361008” got replaced by “Chennai 600010”.  She is now on the way to accepting a strange new place as her very own. And it’s amazing that mostly she succeeds.

But despite her brilliant success, there is a subtle yet strong bond that stays in her heart forever. No matter how many years she might be married and how old she might turn, the joy of visiting her parents’ home is undiminished and unchangeable. No adventure, no luxury and no exotic destination in the world can replace that simple classic joy of being under the shade of that home. Years after leaving that home, every departure from its threshold is solemnly marked by a stream of tears trickling down my eyes and my family’s. The heart still feels heavy and anxious on the last day of every visit. 

I have a little daughter, whom the entire family adores. Her naughty gurgling laughter is infectious and she knows it too well, using it to her best advantage. She is such a happy (may I also add hyper) soul that her twinkling eyes, dancing feet and bouncing hair all just invite you to cuddle her tight. In these moments of brimming affection, I hug her so close that she can’t escape. On the few occasions that we leave our kids behind at home, the first thing I want to do after returning is see them. Oh I love to be out without them, but home is somehow always about them.

Lately, I had a thought which is terribly early to bother me since my daughter is only 1.5 years, I shared it with my husband nevertheless.  I asked him how do you think will we hand over our most precious possession to somebody else one fine day? Would we be able to see her go, entrust her in somebody else’s care and not fret about her comfort and happiness? How would it be that while my home will lament in her silence, she would be cajoling someplace else?

It’s never easy for any parent ever to be away from their children be it a son or a daughter. However, there is a marked difference between the two being away. Though a son is miles away from you and your heart just overflows with emotions every time he visits and leaves you, deep down you still know that he belongs to you and his home is the same as yours. But when a daughter is married and gone, a precious part of you is taken away forever. For now, she doesn’t belong to you, she belongs to her partner, and her family is not you but another one. Her joys are with them and so are her responsibilities. She is not so much your beloved child as somebody’s wife and daughter-in-law.

I wonder how all the parents give away their daughters so ceremoniously and in splendor to another man. What gives them the courage to part from that little girl whose every wish was theirs to fulfill? Well, it could be only one; they know that their little girl is now grown up whose dreams include a prince and her own palace. And it’s time to rejoice in seeing them fulfilled and bless her with every happiness known. May all the daughters in this world live a beautiful and dignified life for they are the treasured gifts of God bestowed upon lucky parents.