Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Gautami Tripathy

April 15, 2006

HOME

Gautami Tripathy

Home. The very word conjures up an image so evocative
of a secured feeling. A feeling surpassing most other
feelings. A place where one can be just himself, no
pretensions, no affectations.

Home is not merely four walls. Home reminds me of my
mother, the kitchen her domain...the smell of
food??¦its all permeating flavour of the spices and
condiments??¦.all those deeply ingrained aroma. Home
is also a place, which makes me think of my father,
his table, his books and his ever-familiar spectacles.
Picking up his books, I feel nostalgic going back into
time when he used to teach me. His no-nonsense
attitude, his firm voice all invade my mind and heart
it ceases to matter that he is no more. His very
thought wherever I am, feels home.

My corner, my bed, my books, my music and all those
silly stuff collected over the years bring back sweet
memories of the times gone by. Certain music playing
in the background, certain books, those familiar books
read long time back, the feel of it these and the old
musty smell of the olden golden books of bygone era
induces such feelings of familiarity. My art
paraphernalia, those canvasses, those sketches
charcoal pieces and stubs of pencils are all my domain
and home for me wherever I am.

Those lanes and by lanes where I used to play with my
siblings and friends; on hot summer days or cold
wintry ones, sharing secrets, fighting for supremacy.
And now, drinking endless cups of coffee or tea, or
just hanging out doing nothing, gossiping to no end or
just silences, which speak volumes. Cool winds during
summer evenings, cooling the heated skin or the warm
sun on a cold winter day are so welcoming. The feel
and smell of nature??¦its beauty, filled with joy and
laughter, filled with memories, sharing, caring??¦.are
all home for the restless soul residing within me.

Children running to you, touching hesitatingly,
hugging with gusto and their sweet smiles, their
innocent chatter, giving us a purpose and security.
And isn??Tt that feeling akin to home?

Love is home and home is love. After a long day of
work, long leisurely bath, dinner with family or close
friends. Can any feeling compare with that? And does
it matter where we are? Home is when all of
us??¦.sister and brothers??¦get together with our
respective families, at the drop of a hat, just like
that, having an impromptu session of card game or
board game with not a care in the world. Laughing,
getting across each other understanding, anticipating
perfectly the others??T move and preparing for it
accordingly.

A blissful dreamless sleep after a hard days work,
waking up fresh, rising and shining is home.

Home too for me is open spaces, open minds, open
thoughts and letting those thought infuse me. Being
with friends, talking about those times long gone just
chilling, relaxing with them. My family, my friends,
and all the love I have for them and all the love they
have for me is indeed home for me. They are the ones
who love you unreservedly. Wanting the best for you,
encouraging you. They are there at the times of need,
at the time of adversity and are there to share your
happiness too. Their very presence soothes you; their
very thoughts calm you, giving one a sense of
belonging and feeling of being at home.

Not a big house, material possessions, mere thoughts
of those who are so close bringing a smile to our
faces and those who touch us in some way or other, is
what is home for me.

We search for roots but we are by nature, wanderers
how can we have roots? Home is where the heart is. It
can be anywhere: inside a house, a movie hall, open
spaces, under a tree or just a tiny corner??¦.does not
matter where.

Sense of freedom, unadulterated by material
possessions, breaking those shackles of bondage and
being one with our maker and us is home in the truest
sense.

(c)gautami.tripathy
http://firmlyrooted,blogspot.com