Portrait of a Special Week

This week started with Bijoy Mamu and Mai arriving with Sangram Mamu (left, in white shirt) on Tuesday. They were supposed to come on Monday but had to postpone their visit due to flooding on the way. The weather sure is showing its fury this year. We took it easy for two days, eating and catching up with a lot of news about each other's families. Bijoy Mamu shared a lot of childhood memories including what he remembered about Baba & Bou's wedding (Sachi's parents). Mamu is trying to put together Bhuyan family tree and collected a lot of information from Sangram Mamu who seemed to know every one and everything about the family. Sangram Mamu told us about a lot of his father's adventures as forest ranger. It is always so interesting to hear family stories.

On Wednesday we went to see Sachi's Heart Hospital in the evening. The building immediately behind us in the picture is the main inpatient center. The building to the left is for outpatients. In front of us (not seen in the picture) is a beautiful lake. All around the building is clean, green space.
Sachi took us all to the important parts of the hospital. Here he is showing us a movie of an angiography (catheterization).

Thursday evening we went to see Lincoln's pride, 'The Sunken Gardens'. The space there was decked out in such an abundance of bright and colourful flowers that it was hard to decide where to look. A lot of local weddings take place in this setting when the weather is good. We saw many couples taking pictures. Some of them with professional photographers.

We had our camera with us too which we put to good use. Mamu Mai looked very nice posing in front of these flowers.

Sachi made Sangram Mamu pose in front of this aquatic display to capture his special portrait. Mamu is very interested in gardening and took keen interest in the flowers.

While the men chatted about whatever men discuss when they huddle together, away from the women, Mai and I explored the gardens some more and specially admired the Impatiens. We wondered what variety they were; our Impatiens at home never grow this vigorously. Some of the flower beds had gaping holes with torn plants in the middle. We found out that a family of deer had got in one night and enjoyed the soft flowers as bed.

The sun went down too quickly and we took a few final pictures. This place that reminded Sangram Mamu of Pinjore Gardens near Chandigarh was hard to leave. From there we went to the 'Oven' for dinner.

Next day Jyoti came over and it was time to get ready for the celebration - Jyoti's Godh Bharai ceremony. I finalised cooking of a few dishes, got the house cleaned up and decorated. Jeff came over in the evening for dinner.

Mai and Sangram Mamu collected the marigolds from outside. I made them into garlands to put on Baba (Sachi's father) and Babaji (my grandfather)'s paintings. Jyoti tied bracelets with pink ribbons to give as gifts to friends and family. Late night Sachi and I went to the airport and picked up Gurjeet, my cousin's wife, who came for Jyoti's ceremony all the way from New Jersey.

Next day Sergei and Anna came early to help out with the preparation. They are two of the nicest people to have when there is lots to do.

Of course nothing matches dear friends who have become close family over the years. Many of them got together and cooked and arranged activities for the celebration. They came early and took over my kitchen. We have stood by each other in times of need and seen the kids grow from infants to adults. Our investment in the relationships makes us feel we have joint ownership over each other. Celebration of Jyoti's 'Godh Bharai ceremony' would not be complete without all these friends who have been very much like mothers to her.

While friends got things ready for the ceremony we took the time to pose for pictures. Gurjeet and I have such close and pleasant bond, I am glad she was able to come. In our busy lives we do not meet as often as we would like to.

Jyoti looked very pretty in her 'rani colored' new sari. Gurjeet helped her get ready and tie the sari. Jyoti handled wearing the sari like a pro.

Here she is with pretty Kelly, Jeff's brother Brad's wife and Norma, Jyoti's sasu ji. Jeff's family made our gathering complete.

Mai posing with Kelly and Norma in the living room. Some of these pictures were taken by Bijoy Mamu and others by Sachi.

This obviously was taken by Sachi. Bijoy Mamu checked out the whole house to see what changes we had made after the fire. He liked most of the changes. Both of the Mamus spent a lot of time enjoying the outside.

Jyoti is very popular with the boys. I can see how much more they will spoil baby Jyoti.

We started the ceremony with Sarbani's mother doing the Aarti and applying tikka on Jeff and Jyoti.

Then Laksmi Chivukula took over the thali and did the aarti to represent the community. The Chivukulas have been in Lincoln longer than most of us and it was wonderful to have her represent all our close friends.

Norma did the aarti with a smile on her face. She is such a good sport and enthusiastically joins in all the functions.

Janet Mai did the aarti to represent Sachi's side of the family. About this time we remembered (prompted by Sarbani's mom) to put the coconut in Jyoti's lap.

Gurjeet did the aarti to represent my side of the family. Just when we thought we are done, the men got in the act.

Sachi did the aarti and also fed kheer to Jyoti and Jeff. Bijoy and Sangram Mamu followed him. Then Alekh Dash, pujari and close friend, blessed the would-be-parents.

Every one applying tikka meant sindoor got on nose and clothes. I ran to help Jyoti, forgetting that she is in good hands now.

The room felt very festive and full of blessings with our closely knit group. We all enjoyed and laughed the whole time.
Well almost all of us. Some of us were more interested than others.

Norma brought a beautiful, soft shawl to put on Jyoti and Jeff's shoulders with the promise of the whole Burlington family's support.

Mai draped them with the beautiful chunni Bablee, my sister, shipped from Delhi to represent support of Jyoti's maayka.

Sachi and I presented this pink pearl necklace to celebrate the good luck of being blessed with a chance to be grandparents. Our friends and family gave them gift certificates to help pamper them before the baby arrives.

Smita Dash, pujari's wife and dear friend, did the honor of ritually placing the baby in Jyoti's lap. Noelle, Jeff's brother Jim's wife, had come over with her three months old baby Finley, three & half yrs old Isabel and her mother who is visiting from Chicago. Baby Finley was baptised that evening and we are very glad the family took the time to come over. Finley was cute and contented. We could not have found a better baby.

Jyoti relegated the coconut to Jeff's lap and enjoyed Finley.

Jeff looked so lonely that Ravi ran up and brought Jyoti's old Cabbage Patch doll to give to him. Jeff went along with the joke

The boys went outside and broke the coconut. Anna cleaned and peeled it to offer to all present.

Inside we all posed in groups with Jyoti and Jeff.

The boys perked up once there was something for them to do.

Jyoti got tired of the swing and got up to socialise with every one. Jeff was reluctant to give up the throne.

Jyoti handed the baby to Jeff to let him practise some more. Ravi joined Jeff with a practice baby of his own. We had great time watching the young generation repeat old customs with a twist of their own. After the ceremony we all went in and had lunch. Our friends had put together a veritable feast for us. Thank you all very much.

Sachi was able to handle the hectic chaos of this celebration very well. After a hiatus of stagnant improvement he suddenly found himself getting hungry and hankering for some old favorites. The eating is still in very small amounts but the change is welcome. His energy level is quite a bit improved and fast approaching normal. Some times we forget that he is still recovering.

Both the Mamus, Mai and Gurjeet are back with their families. Jyoti and Jeff have gone back to their home. Ravi is in the dorm and Suraj is attending last day of this semester's classes. Sachi is listening to CNN and I am ofcourse with you all. Our world after listing a bit seems on solid ground again.

Write back with news about you and your family.

Yours at peace.........Ambi

Summer Blessings

Some people light up the room and warm the heart by just entering your life. Naren and Vivek, Sachi's nephews, are two such brothers. The older one, Naren, came to visit us on his way home from California to Chicago. He is finishing the fourth year of med school in Chicago and was in Stanford for a month's rotation in cardio-pulmonary. Sachi picked him up from the Omaha airport while I stayed back to cook some dinner. We had gone to Maryland for one of Sachi's jigri dost's daughter's wedding and had just come back the night before; I was not all done with my work. I used the time to cook Naren's favorite dishes. Just as I was finishing he remembered to call (fifteen min. from home) and remind me that he eats only vegetarian on Mondays and Tuesdays. It was Monday that day. The menu was quickly changed but was not as sumptuous as it could have been. Next time he should remember to call his Sikh badoma much earlier. Sikhs are either vegetarian or (most of the time) non-vegetarian; no Monday-Tuesday vegetarian business. I guess a little in-home cultural adjustment is needed in our very diverse family. We got half a day on Wednesday to feed him tandoori chicken. Dinner that evening was in Omaha (P.F. Chang's) with Jeff. Poor Jyoti was working till ten at night. Naren stayed with Jyoti and Jeff that night. Jeff took Naren to the airport early morning (thank you Jeff). This was a very short trip and just whetted our appetite.

I took the above picture in front of the garage where the boys were socialising one afternoon. Ravi had come home to spend some time with Naren. After he left Suraj took Naren for a ride in the little BMW (with big appeal). It is manual shift but both the boys have learnt to drive it well.
Jyoti came over on Tuesday and stayed overnight. She and Naren stayed up into the wee hours of the night watching TV and making fun of everything they could think of. They speak the same language.

Jyoti left Wednesday afternoon for work. Naren walked out with her to see her off and I took the opportunity to take this cute picture.

I continued clicking while they talked by the side of Jyoti's car.

Then Jyoti casually reached up and pulled out a hanging booger from Naren's nose. Sisters will be sisters; Who cares if the brother is a doctor now.

Both Naren and Vivek: you have to come back for Thanksgiving, specially since it is on Thursdays. Our new baby (OK Jyoti & Jeff''s) will want to meet her Mamus soon. So plan on it for sure.

Ravi had a lot of thinking to do this past few days. His studies and football were cutting into each other's time. Ravi is a natural athlete and draws nourishment from punishing his body and pushing it to its limits. Studying is a relatively new love. A choice had to be made. The decision was heart wrenching. He talked with the one person who is made just like him and has travelled the same road.

He told Baba that he had made the decision to drop football and concentrate on studies. Baba looked as heart broken as Ravi.

"When did you grow up!!" is how the conversation ended. We are very proud of you Ravi.

Our garden has been overtaken by these giant sunflower plants. I think the seeds came from 'The Jack and the giant bean stalk' fairy tale. These plants are ten feet high and have flowers that are more than a foot wide.

I am having great time photographing them from the ground against the blue sky.

These are the normal variety and make up in numbers what they lack in height and size. They brighten our poolside and are very striking.

Talking about pool - our out-door pool is now closed for the year. The schools are open and boys do not have swimming sessions anymore. Backyard is sure quiet without them.

Nandini, you had written about the white Dahlias. They are still blooming; seven to eight at a time, right outside our bedroom window. We remember you when we see them.

The brightest and most arresting flowers of the year were these gladioli. We had more than two dozen plants and they put up quite a show. Now they are done. Slowly and imperceptibly fall is inching its way into the year. Mums and marigolds, the fall flowers, are in full bloom. I am sitting here remembering a multitude of filmi songs that immortalise this transition. Of course some flowers never fade.

This one appeared on my window one day with a note: I love you.

These flowers are for Jyoti and Jeff. We are invited, along with Jeff's family, to their home for dinner today. Jyoti never cooked when she was at home here; but now has turned into quite the chef De cuisine. We are looking forward to meeting the Burlingtons who have become dear family members.

Sachi clicked this picture and insists I include it. I love smelling the marigolds. These flowers pack memories of many temple and gurudwara visits. They remind me of group-stringing with family for wedding ceremonies and to hang as garlands adorning pictures of dear ones that have left the world but not the heart. They are easy to grow and bloom for a long time. People in America grow them for decoration only. They do not use them as we do. I think of these flowers as a slice of Indian culture in our yard.

We are back from the dinner. Jyoti's cooking and Jeff's grilling was superb. Jyoti's Pecan Pumpkin pie and Jeff's mom Norma's Corn Casserole was plate licking good. In the above picture the whole gang is standing on the back porch enjoying being a family. Isabel and baby Finley kept every one on their toes. We really had a wonderful time. Jyoti looked tired as we said good bye. Hopefully she will take rest now and not host any more dinners.

Sachi is doing good. His stamina has improved enough to do something in the afternoon and squeeze in an occasional evening outing too. He has just recently been able to eat a few things to substitute for a can of ensure every now and then. He has decided to increase his working hours (2 more) daily. We are glad for these small gifts.

Bye for now to all our friends and family. Will keep checking for news about you all. Thank you for adopting the blog.

Love, Ambi.

PS: Loved reading the note from the Bridges. We miss you. Will cash in the invitation one of these days! Thanks.