Miss You Ma...

Recently during Deepawali, I was faced with the herculean task of cleaning my messy cupboard. Inside it were bundles of papers, books, novels, and other stationary, jutting and jostling for space and asking for some urgent breather. But what I anticipated to be a tedious and a boring activity actually turned out to be quite delightful and enjoyable in the end.

As I started to put things in order, I lay my hands on a small folder containing a few hand written letters, personal cards, greeting cards and scribbled postcards. Some of these were notes from my school friends and postcards from people I had met in my travels but majority of them contained conversations between me and my mother. I reminisced those times when we both shared this rather cute bond of hand written cards and letters...


A collection of handwritten letters and greeting cards of birthdays and anniversaries for Mother
A collection of beautiful memories...

I think it had all started out with her. She loved to attach a personal touch to everything she did and highly valued the joy of connecting to others via the old-fashioned art of personal correspondence. In such a scenario then, the chances of me inheriting this quality from her among many others was very high, almost inevitable. As I grew up in her arms, it did not take much time for me to realize how magical this ‘personal touch’ was and before I knew, I was completely enchanted by its spell...

As a small kid, I developed a deep affectionate fascination for letters, notes and cards - all handwritten! I still remember how I loved writing them. I just needed an opportunity – birthdays, anniversaries, even moments of fights – I always rushed for a pen and paper and not only did it work but somehow always worked best! I remember those times when I would misbehave and she would stop talking to me; I would compose a small verse asking forgiveness and place it delicately in one of her kitchen shelves. Then at night, in the midst of my moments of sleep, a warm hug would envelop my body. And the day of her birthday... that thrill of gifting ‘my card’ to her and the joy of watching her radiant smile beam when she would hold it in her hands... And how could I forget that ‘I Love You’ letter that I had written to her on Mother’s day... Ah... Memories!


A hand written apology card for Mother
Look at this... haha...
One of my Apology letters, I think I was in 6th std then...

Cards, letters, and poems - they were all there... Oh, when and how I had forgotten about them...?! Soon enough, I found myself buried in a heap of memories, going through the scribblings, chuckling to myself, getting reflective over some, while finding others quite childish. I ended up spending the whole afternoon rummaging through the letters that had gathered dust over time and found utmost joy in wiping them off. These letters bought back so many bitter sweet recollections and I patted myself hard for having preserved them over the years.

All of a sudden, I could recollect the joys of writing on a neat piece of paper. I felt really sad that it had been ages since I did that. I wondered why?

As I grew older, in the winds of change amidst project deadlines, work pressures and hectic schedules, this love of mine drifted away from me and we both got lost in the wave of technological advancement. Text messages, emails and skype made an appearance and I was completely hooked. And why not, after all this mode of communication was so much faster, pacier, convenient and above all saved a lot of time. But intimate and personal? Just think about it... Still, that’s what I always end up doing now... sms, mail or better still chatting on phone... the reason? Time... or should I say, the lack of it!


A letter to the most special person in my life...

As I am posting this right now, my mom sits far away from me, in Gujarat while I write this in Mumbai. I talk to her daily – two times, three times or may be even more! Still, it is not enough, it never can be... I know how much I miss her... We still have our moments of fights and angers, her birthdays and anniversaries still come and go... But I can’t remember when was the last time I gifted her a hand made card or took the trouble to write something personal to her... I am sure, even now she will enjoy it as much as she used to then but... I... I... have no time today as I have completely submitted myself to the mercy of the razor-sharp claws of technology...

A few days back, a question at IndiBlogger - If you had 2 extra hrs in a day, how would you spend it? ... got me thinking...


Spend it with nature, with myself, watch TV,
hang out with friends, dream…
...what else could I do..?

Umm... naaah... I think I knew a better way to utilize it...

I would switch off my cellphone, turn off my PC, sit down with a warm cup of coffee, and write my mom something. For I think, it’s been quite a while since I did that and more so because I know it will be bringing a wide smile onto the face of someone very close and special...


Miss you Ma...

PS: The above post is written for the Indiblogger Contest " If you had two extra hours in a day, how would you spend it" sponsored by Surf Excel Matic #GetSmart. Hope you enjoyed reading it :)

If you are an IndiBlogger and liked reading this article, you can vote for it by clicking here. Thank You :)

Update Note: Inspired by the question – 'What would you do if you had two extra hrs in a day', one of my hugely talented travel blogger friend, Rizalenio (a finalist in the Lonely Planet's 2010 Photo Competition) has put up a fabulous photo post titled Two Extra Hours. Do check it out here!

Post a Comment

125 Comments

  1. This is a touching tribute to your mother and the value of writing something personal to someone you love. I hope you win the contest!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, Arti, THIS Ma and Grammy now has tears in her eyes! What a wonderful post showing true sentiment and caring. I keep all the cards, notes and art offerings from both my children and grandchildren. My Mother did the same. When she died, we found a box brim full of words and pictures. As we missed her, it made us realize how much she had cherished us. May your Mother feel happy and blessed for raising a son like you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Arti, it was such a beautiful post...lovely memories isn't it...its so beautiful and treasured....Now I think most of us have got used to modern technology like e-mail and other stuffs and forgotten to write a letter personally which has got such a beautiful personal touch and is priceless!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That was a heart warming post. First time I am reading something of yours other than travelogues. You have a nice way of expression. Possibly you should add more personal touch to your travelogues as well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. good lord, Arti! this post is so so heart-tugging...a treasure trove indeed what you managed to dig out! :) brought back many memories at this end too..it's been a while since i have rebelled and gone back to real letters and postcards (i am a huge lover of receiving post still!) am sure your ma will love receiving one too :D :D and an adorable 'sorry' letter that was for an 11 year old! :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. A sweet post, Arti. We can never spend too much time with our moms. This is a lovely tribute to her.

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  7. How wonderful that you still have all of these cards and that you have such a great relationship with your mother.

    ReplyDelete
  8. A very sweet post. It shows how technology has bridged the distances but the hearts have grown apart! Enjoyed every word written with such passion!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Superb Post..! I love this post Arti.. This must be something special..It reminds me of a poem that I wrote of mother sometime back... But it is in my mother tongue ..Tamil..!

    http://thoughts-of-my-heart.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. i love this post, arti. it is so personal and heartfelt. i learned more about you by reading it.

    have a great week. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. ah this is wonderful! both of my daughters and i write when we get angry. it seems the best way to say clearly what you want to say without the confusion and intensity of emotion. we still do it.
    AND now i miss my mom :)
    ~laura xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. what a touching post!.your ma is lucky to have a daughter like you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Arti, your post did touch a chord in my heart, reminding me of my childhood as well....thanks:)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very beautiful and touching post. I liked it very much. Its always special to send a handwritten letter but today hardly anybody writes as everybody feels its quite easy to send email.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi, Arti. You inspired me to answer this question in photos - If you had 2 extra hrs in a day, how would you spend it?

    You poignantly wrote this entry. It made my heart smile. I miss my mom suddenly too. Thanks a lot for the inspiration. Stay safe, my dear friend.

    ReplyDelete
  16. @Barb: That is indeed a wonderful way to treasure memories, I agree. The smell of old frayed letters, the feeling of unfolding them and reading them over line after line, again and again… they are something that can always be held on for much later unlike texts and mails that are soon dispatched into junk. I don’t know about my mother, but this daughter definitely feels happy and fortunate to have someone as sweet and loving as my Mother…

    @crypticrow, @Sushma, @Babli The feeling you get when writing a letter to someone is definitely priceless. It’s an old fashioned trend that has become outdated in today’s times but still there are quite a few admirers like you and me who value and understand its worth.

    ReplyDelete
  17. @Rahul Bhatia How true! Surely technology has its good points that cannot be denied and we all appreciate it too but every coin has two sides to it. Unfortunately we seldom care to take a look at the other side and assess what all we have been missing in life...

    @Pooch Purple Reign Yes, somehow I feel that letter/note writing is a very peaceful activity, both as a reader and a writer as well. The emotions come out heartfelt and there are few chances that you might end up getting misunderstood.

    @Rizalenio I am glad this article could inspire you to answer the question too. Please go ahead, I would surely love to read your response given through the amazing photographs that you capture..

    @all Thank you all for the appreciations and the good wishes :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. beautiful thought

    best wishes for he contest

    ReplyDelete
  19. Very touching post my dear Arti!
    Tender and nostalgic feelings!
    I with my children, use technology!
    And I am very happy!
    I hope you win your text, it is amazing!
    Good and creative week!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful and heartfelt.
    Perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Arti, I really loved it. So cute and so sweet. Really don't have words. I feel the same, the magic of handwritten letters and love in different handwriting is really missed in the emails.

    I really loved to know your innocent story with you Maa...:). So sweet so sweeeettt.......

    So you also have a personal touch and comments from heart on every blog...:)

    And, congratulations.......today is Our Yatra Diary's B'day..:)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thats a very well written post Arti :)
    I have never been big on writing letters or making cards and now that I read this post I simply wish I had done so :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. wow, spending the extra time writing letter to Mom, is great. The cards and the letter pic, is simply superb.
    those reminiscences of the past.very nostalgic.
    best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
  24. A very emotional and beautifully conveyed post, loved the pics, like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
    Reminded me when I was staying away from my ma, and she used to write letters to me, using English alphabets but Gujarati in sentences. I So wish had preserved them too.

    All the best.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is the most touching and beautiful post I have read... Had been waiting for you to write on this topic... And here you are Arti, with a fantastic post! Love your handwriting too... Your words are magical... simple yet full of love... M a great fan of yours! All the best for the contest! Whether you win or not, you surely have won my n many other people's hearts!
    Best wishes

    Anukriti

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh ho, the travel blogger is a child at heart! Loved this one. Yes, don't wait for the hypothetical extra two hours but start right away. Your mom will love it! And don't forget to share the pics! All the best Arti :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a nice memories you have! So when daughters are happy, mother is also happy. We send New Year's cards written by hands but nowadays some people do it by email. By the way I was glad there was "Doraemon" in your blog.
    Have a lovely week.

    ReplyDelete
  28. wow !!....u r d winner :)10/10 superb!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I can understand what you mean.Fortunately my children like writing letters on paper.It's so nine.

    Anyway I'm glad to see Doraemon who is our country's anime. :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I have been always impressed with your travel blogs, but this sure clean bowled me. Great post and your Mom is a lucky person to have you in her life. Made me nostalgic about the days spent with my Mommy. I miss her so much.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Well written. Loved each and every word.
    Last week I met my mom but only for a couple of hours. There were tears in her eyes when I left her. I held her hands and promised I would be back soon to spend a couple of days with her.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Don't you just love memories that make you feel good. I enjoyed this very much. Have a nice week.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ooooh, so very poignant, Arti. Love this. You're so right - we really need to return to pen and paper and gift the people close to us the joy of knowing we're thinking of them.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Just touching and beautiful post! All the best for the contest. Yes, we have almost lost the art of personal correspondence these days.I too preserve a bundle of such letters between me and my mom. She is no more now and the pleasure i derive in reading those cards and letters now is PRICELESS!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Aww soo sweet :))))
    I still doubt i will make those cute letters if i had 2 hours extra. the creative and innocent punch inside is long outgrown

    ReplyDelete
  36. Such a beutiful and touching post Arti, made me nostalgic. I talk to my mom everyday, can't do without it. I keep and treasure all the cards, letters and notes and these days also e-mails (I print them out).

    Got to know a lot about you from this heartfelt post. Glad to have a blogger-friend like you.

    Have a lovely week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Awww, this is so sweet. I pray you win...:)

    All the best Arti:)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Well if that didn't pull the strings of my heart. But it is all so true about many of us. I have a few friends who don't have internet so I still write letters at least once or twice a year. But I have taken the use of the computer and created many personal greeting cards also for family and friends. While creating them I think of only them and my love is mixed in with the card. I do believe what ever way it is created as long as your attention and love go with it to the person it is for. But also before internet for me I would create beautiful long Christmas letters about my whole year and mail them off the family and friends. Now it's like if you want to know what's going on check out my blogs. We still don't have telephone so I do find staying connected through the internet has helped. Oh if I didn't do this right now I would be on the couch reading a wonderful book completely engrossed in it. I do at least connect with people here something that was missing before living out so far from everyone. I do wish you the best on the writing contest. This blog was amazing and really got me thinking. Thank you and have a wonderful week.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi Arti,

    You have shared a really lovely post, such special memories of letters, cards, and little drawings.
    I write to my Mother every week, she lives about 3 hours away, so she looks forward to my letters and I love getting hers.
    So nice to get a pen written letter rather than an email.

    Wishing you a happy week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  40. beautiful post.. very touching.. all the best..

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Arti,
    A warm and lovely personality of yours exudes fully from this post. It must be inherited from your parents,espeially your mother and have been nourished.
    Every year I try to add a personal touch on my new year greeting cards and at least I write their names and addresses by hand with brush and ink.
    Thank you for this lovely post, Arti.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Really heart warming. Thankyou for this lovely post :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi, Arti! This is a heartfelt post and is so true. I share your sentiments and I suppose many people, too. While I’m engrossed in blogging or emailing, I sometimes feel something important is missing. I have a treasure box filled with handwritten cards, letters, and post cards from the loved ones. You made me feel like opening the box and read them again. Have happy days ahead.

    Yoko

    ReplyDelete
  44. This little moments are always precious. One can cherish them for ever.

    ReplyDelete
  45. you know Arti, what I love about your posts is they make me think, or they evoke an emotional response, which is wonderful. I was here the other evening and after reading your post,I knew that I wanted to dwell on the feelings you evoked, and that I needed to return another day to write. so here I am again. this post is so very heartwarming. you took a look into your own heart and dug deep, and above all, you shared your richest of feelings that you have for your mother. the folder you re-discovered is a true treasure. as much a treasure as the memories and experiences of your Himalayan travels. thanks for sharing your spirit Arti. happy week to you my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Splendid! The letter of apology you wrote in 6th is very beautiful. Touched by it. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post.

    ReplyDelete
  47. What a nice and touching article. we are so caught in daily grind of life that we forget those small things and people..You have inspired me to write a letter to my Ma. Thanks..

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thanks, Arti, for an oasis of sanity and meaning in a desert of what people would do if they had two extra hours. Congratulations on your efforts to encourage people to make a difference to the quality of their lives. Beautifully written, and very relevant.

    ReplyDelete
  49. It was nice Change to see a post on your blog which is not related to travel.
    Its always when you go to clean your Cupboard you get to see somethings that you have liked before.
    Enjoyed every bit of the post : )

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hey Arti :)
    Came here via your comment..
    Such a beautiful post..I was touched..

    Good luck for the contest sweetie :)

    ReplyDelete
  51. excellent post
    nice idea to spend extra 2 hours.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Writing a letter is indeed a great gesture... a touching post... Good luck to you!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I can relate to this post very well.I'm one of those people who still prefer to send a card or write on paper... I would love receiving a handwritten letter. I still send out handmade cards to my parents.... and they reply to me by email. The technology has made life easier but the personal touch is definetly missing.

    Beautiful post!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hi,Arti.
    That is a very heartwarming post.
    I really share your sentiments and have tears in my eyes.
    Your post makes me feel nostalgic and sad. My mother lives far way from me.
    I have been saturated with PC but my mom still loves handwriting. I often call her to talk on my home telephone. But they are memories that will fade out.
    Tomoko

    ReplyDelete
  55. That is so very sweet. It set me grinning because I could totally relate to it.
    However luckily enough, even with the effect of technology, I still nurture the habit of handwritten letters and cards for all of those who matter.
    Because to them, this personal touch of mine matters.
    Don't let this era snatch away that treasure from you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  56. Oh, I loved your post!! I also loved making cards and writing letters.. in today's high-speed technology-dipped lifestyles, this is something that we have lost. I could identify with your post very much.

    ReplyDelete
  57. hey...
    this is the most b'ful post I read for this comptetion..
    very well written(pro type :P), a gr8 way of expressing smaller details..
    Lets say i am inspired to write something like this one day.. :)
    Good luck..

    ReplyDelete
  58. A real worthy trip down memory lane...hope, you win this contest. ALL THE BEST

    From: www.sriramnivas.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hey its a good post really..Simple but sweet..Expressing sorry with a letter was simply superb and touching arti..Its really gud letter :)

    HEy why dont you check out my post for a change..Hope u like my article."The Girl i loved. . ."
    Here is the link..
    http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=88938

    ReplyDelete
  60. Such a beautiful and precious post.Will sure vote for you :)

    ReplyDelete
  61. Good to see a personal post from you. You should write these more in addition to the travel stories.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Wonderful post Arti! Very soulful and cute. I am sure your mom would be delighted when she reads this. :):)

    Voted! :)

    ReplyDelete
  63. those cards are seriously cute arti :) did u draw them yourself? :)

    ReplyDelete
  64. @Mohinee Handwriting gives an instant connect to the other person reading it and I do love it a lot. Emails and chats are quite adept in connecting individuals, but handwritten letters... they connect hearts and seal them for long.. Thank you so much dear for the wishes.. You have already celebrated it in style :)

    @Purvi It’s never too late.. Start right away, it is a priceless treasure, believe me!

    @Anukriti It is very sweet of you to say all of that :) I am a learner, and try to take inspiration from wonderful bloggers and fabulous writers like you... Thank you, thanks a lot... All the Best to you too :)

    ReplyDelete
  65. @Zephyr Yes Ma’am, Point duly noted :) Will definitely do it! Cant promise to put up the pic though :P

    @cocomino @Sarah New year cards for us here, are generally from the shops and nowadays people prefer to make do with the text messages also. But it’s good to hear that some people still believe in the old fashioned ways of life. And thanks for the information about the Doraemon, I was completely unaware of it...

    @Farila @chitra @Rachana @Draffian Bears @cosmos @Red Rose --

    The Mother-Daughter bond is always beyond words and evokes sensitive feelings… I consider myself to be a very lucky daughter and I thank God for making “Her” as my Mother.

    ReplyDelete
  66. @insidejourneys Writing a letter warrants time. The thought that someone did take out some time to write us something makes us feel important and fills us with gratitude at the same time.

    @CN You just nailed it – They are PRICELESS!

    @Sneo Many a times we underestimate ourselves, just sit down with a sincere desire, I am sure you can... :)

    ReplyDelete
  67. @Here I am/Carrie Even with e-cards, if you yourself are making them and infusing them with some form of individual strokes, then they are still so much better than the ready-made ones bought from the markets and like you said, it’s the feelings that really matter at the end of the day. I completely agree with your philosophy and share the same beliefs. When we gift something to someone, feelings are one thing that's not tangible but they play such a huge role in affecting the consciousness of the recipient and subsequently strengthening/weakening bonds.

    Technology has definitely made our lives easier, I agree but somehow I feel we have given too much of ourselves to it, to the point that instead of just ‘using’ it, we have started ‘loving’ it no ends. Your comment did provide for a slightly different perspective and made me think too, Thanks a lot.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  68. @Ms Becky This post was something very different and unusual for me, something that I have never ever done on my blog. I was to initially give the contest a miss but once I began writing, feelings came over and soon took the form of sentences and words.

    I thank the organizers of the contest... this entire experience has been quite a fulfilling one for me, both as a blogger and a person as well… Thank you very much for your lovely comment :)

    @Anupama @Enchanta @Anisha True, we are running too fast and need to slow down a bit. We need to look back and value the gift of feelings and personal attachments over wiry ones, I feel sometimes...

    @joel Thank you joel. Yes, I have drawn them at various stages of my life till now :)

    ReplyDelete
  69. @All

    Thank you very much for all your wonderful responses. I am overwhelmed by seeing your comments and am glad the post could evoke delicate feelings in you as well... I loved writing the article but was apprehensive to put it up as I had never before done anything of this sort on my blog before. But still went ahead with it...

    Thank you for the all the appreciations and the encouragements. Your blessings, good wishes and motivations mean a lot to me and I feel like a winner already... Thank you very much once again :)

    ReplyDelete
  70. Gr8 post, i am sure you are in for a prize, congrats in advance. Good dedication to your mom in Gujarat.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Oh I enjoyed reading it alright, beautifully written, many many thanks for sharing it with us.

    ReplyDelete
  72. 'Shukriya' to you, dearest ARTI, for coming to visit me!!!!!

    What a CHARMING AND LOVELY POST..I have things from my mother who passed away 25 years ago...when I see them, it remember so many STRONG MOMENTS...it is remarkable how one small letter, a knitted sweater or any other token of affection can shape your thinking and heart. LOVELY POST MY SWEET FRIEND!! HUGS OVER THE OCEANS...Anita

    ReplyDelete
  73. Oh! superb,Arti.
    I am very lucky to come on this post.Many many thanks to you.

    Your pious emotions are very much touching.You have really won my heart.I pray all the best for you.

    I am very very sorry for the delay
    in writing my post.I thought that I would write my next post within a month or so.But,somehow it is
    getting delayed.Soon I would try
    to write in this week.I am highly
    thankful to you for your lovely reminders.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Very nice frist time ur posting about yourself rather than posting... this one of my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Got tears in my eyes.. and made me miss my mom ;(.. lovely post Arti :)

    all the best dear for the contest :)

    ReplyDelete
  76. Wow! you drew that when you were in 6th! Great sense of humour. I think you should write some humorous pieces as well.
    All the best for the contest.

    ReplyDelete
  77. This post is...........so beautiful. I honestly don't have anything else to say, I'm spellbound.
    On a lighter note, damn, you're gonna crush me as you're my competition :P
    I hope you win(I hope I win too :P), your post completely deserves it.
    And I pray that you do sit with that hot cup of coffee and write to your mom on blank sheets of pressed wood, nothing like the feel of paper and ink eh? :)


    When you get time, please do take a look at my entry, and I wish you all the best Arti :D

    http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=90039

    ReplyDelete
  78. beautiful post.. very touching... all the best for the contest... i am sure the prize is yours..

    ReplyDelete
  79. Awesome Arti! it was really touching! I love to create cards myself, i never had the habit of buying them except when I am running short of time. Most of my friends got a hand written and designed card for their birthdays but yeah never for my mom i ever created one. I have even designed cards and got them printed for my close friends... i know now what I should be doing in the two extra hours I get.. create a greeting card for my mom! yes, thank you Arti...

    ReplyDelete
  80. hii Arti

    just 1 word for this post WOW

    i wish u win this contest .. all the best Arti....

    you make me miss my mom...

    hey btw is your mom on blog by any chance :P

    regards
    rahul

    ReplyDelete
  81. Extremely noble thought Arti!! We are because of our family!! :) Great Post!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  82. This is beautiful! I suggest you turn off your computer and pen a lovely letter to that wonderful ma of yours!

    ReplyDelete
  83. A lovely post . And a gr8 way to spend those 2 extra hours :)

    all the best!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Wonderful post. The art of letter writing is fast losing significance(or lost already)in this fast paced hi speed i-pod,i-phone,i-pad, sms'ing texting world. But there is nothing to beat a nice hand written personal letter using art paper & an ink pen. A nice letter can felt,touched,smelt,read,filed,re read and reread again and again.

    ReplyDelete
  85. That is just beautiful Arti! I loved it so much and I hope my sons and daughter have half as lovely thoughts about their mother. (I miss mine, but of course it is too late to tell her so.) I mostly only read photo/travel/nature blogs and so i do not see a lot of posts like this one -- I am so glad I came to look at yours today. (It is Thanksgiving here, and so it is very appropriate for this Day as well.)

    ReplyDelete
  86. beautiful post... did something inside me... here i'm sitting in my home doing my last year of undergraduate studies and next year by this time i will be somewhere else.... the thought of leaving my home (i spent all my 20 years here) is very poor feeling for me, though it will come one day... these beautiful days at home will never come back...

    hope u win the contest...

    ReplyDelete
  87. It's awesome that you still have these letters and drawings!

    ReplyDelete
  88. the first and most adorable relationship each one of us has in our lives..
    till date I talk to my Mom everyday.. ur post brought back many old memories..
    ur handwriting as a 6th grader is so nice :)

    ReplyDelete
  89. What a delightful post Arti. Written from the heart and it is heart warming to read it, those hand made cards are so pretty.
    You are so correct, in this day and age of technology we have lost the patience and I dare say even the skill of writing on paper.
    The Best post that I have read in the contest, I will be surprised if you dont win!!!
    2 extra hours well spent, All the Best:)

    ReplyDelete
  90. For some reason, this post did not show up on my sidebar, at least I did not see it. It is wonderful and heartbreaking all at the same time. My mom is gone now, you are so blessed to still have yours. Write her a note before any more time slips away and you will be wishing that you had done it. We can make time for the things we really want to do. Your writing is beautiful and heartfelt!!

    ReplyDelete
  91. I have written a new post today.
    Awaits your valuable comment,Arti.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Arti its been a while since I saw u post, hope ur well ....hope to c ur post soon.....Have a lovely weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  93. wow! really nice post...i can relate with the feelings you have for your mom... i guess everyone can since it is so well written.
    best of luck! :)

    ReplyDelete
  94. Really a beautiful post. "I would compose a small verse asking forgiveness and place it delicately in one of her kitchen shelves" This is what my grand daughter does.
    I am an Indiblogger and I am there.

    ReplyDelete
  95. Dear Arti, how could i muss this wonderful post - i was away most of the week ... I used to LOVE writing letters to friends and family. and also writing a diary. E-Mail has made everything so much faster, which has good and bad sides. But expressing our thoughts more carefully, choosing words consciously, all this is an art we have to remember. An sure your ma is missing your letters, for they say different things than a phone talk! xx

    ReplyDelete
  96. Arti, What a lovely post. Is there anything better than to come across a stack of letters from the past!!! Such warm memories are brought to life again as you read each line. You sound like you have a wonderful relationship with your Mother--a bond that is stronger than anything else in the world. Thanks for coming by my blog-I'll be back to visit yours again soon. Mickie :)

    ReplyDelete
  97. nostalgic collection...

    thanks...

    ReplyDelete
  98. Beautiful post...I was away from my home back days and i felt, I missed my mom too :( :( :(

    ReplyDelete
  99. very nice post buddy.. i 2 loved 2 check my cards sent by my buddies & reading my old dairies, slam books,...

    ReplyDelete
  100. With the scenario this world is in now, it does get difficult to even keep in touch with our loved ones properly the way we would like to. It's really sweet how you decided to spend your time.
    Touched me.
    This was a poignant, lovely post.
    All the best for the contest. :)

    ReplyDelete
  101. Awww..such a 'close to the heart' kind of a post. It reminded me of the times when I used to create cards for my dear and near ones.It is always a delight to give and receive personalized cards:)

    ReplyDelete
  102. Very touching Arti.. loved your fond memories!

    ReplyDelete
  103. Hey first of all congrats on winning the contest.. Saw ur blog in the winners list and I was really happy that at least one good post had actually found its way into the list :)This is one of the posts I actually still remember after close to a month of reading the entries.. keep blogging Cheers...

    ReplyDelete
  104. Sweet, Sweeter and sweetest post.

    ReplyDelete
  105. That's just AWESOME Arti :)!! Infact I used to do the same as a child.I used to simply draw out neat cards the size of my palm and write things like "I'm sorry mommy" and "I love you mommy and daddy" and the like!! My mom treasures all those funny cards I gave her to this day! :)

    We girls have this really beautiful way of expressing love...Wish my daughter'd be like me ;)

    ReplyDelete
  106. I hope your mom would have loved reading your letter & this post. Very touching. Did you win this contest or results pending yet..? All the best Arti

    ReplyDelete
  107. Thank You everyone :) @Mak The contest is now closed and the results are out. I had won a consolation surprise prize from IB and Surf which was a wireless mouse :)

    ReplyDelete
  108. Seeing this old post of yours now.. but the emotions never get old do they ? Very nicely written... You have captured what one feels when looking through old letters and such.. I too have grown up with letters and feel that an email can never be the same as a good old handwritten letter..!

    ReplyDelete
  109. Seeing this old post of yours now.. but the emotions never get old do they ? Very nicely written... You have captured what one feels when looking through old letters and such.. I too have grown up with letters and feel that an email can never be the same as a good old handwritten letter..!

    ReplyDelete
  110. Hi Arti,
    WOW 122 comments and why not this is such a great post and I am so glad I stumbled upon it. I always miss that age-old medium of pen and paper, which was replaced by email and now FB, what's app and Twitter. I started getting my boys to write Christmas cards 3 years ago and every year we do make an effort to 'write' to our family and friends all over the world. By the time the last card is done I breathe a sigh of relief that it is over, but soon after when the calls start coming in thanking us we know that it was all worth it! So nice to know about the close bond that you share with your mum.

    ReplyDelete
  111. Wow! this really really touched me deep within.
    Thanks for this lovely read.

    ReplyDelete
  112. Great Arti Jee.
    Nice post related to mother.

    ReplyDelete

Delighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!

If you have asked a question, please give me at least 2 days to reply back. Thank you :)