Children Rule!

 As children we were never bored... Mummy encouraged creativity and never restricted playtime.  We played literally all the time and there was really no study time at home. But, we were extremely attentive at school and excelled academically. We would be finished with homework by the time the teacher finished writing the math or the study questions on the blackboard. 

Mummy on the other hand would ask us what went on at school, what new things we learned that day, etc, and by making us recollect, she actually clarified our understanding and reinforced our memory. She would also check our test grades on a daily basis at school to make sure we got at least 9 out of 10, if not 10 out of 10. She expected us to know what we got wrong and why, so that we would never make that mistake again. She made us feel like the school and getting the top grade is part of child play and fun.  

So as a mother, I too let my children play to their hearts’ content and I played with them a lot. I never enforced a study time at home, but had lots of story times and free play. When kids wanted cookies we would all roll up our sleeves and got our hands dirty. If we had worried about the kitchen getting messy… we would have missed the real blessing. The kitchen would be there, but the childhood would be gone. Children grow up too fast and there would be plenty to worry about when they grow up.  

I am thankful to mummy for being a great role model of a mother.  Our joy of having children around is definitely her influence.

I am my mother's daughter,

VeerajaR

Christmas Bliss!

The gifts of Christmas - 

JOY, Love & Peace, 

shall be yours this Holiday season!


Childhood bliss...

I am blessed that mummy had understood this and while being strict had let us enjoy childhood to the fullest. 
Christmas each year had been, as for most people, a time full of expectations, excitement and fulfillment - may it be carols,visit to grandma's and relatives, the array of festive treats and cakes (fruit-rich cake, Yule-log cake, Butter cake) not mentioning the Santa's visit filled stockings... The Christmas crackers which we called "Bon Bons" were a must and brought on so much joy for me and my brother. I loved to  put up the Christmas cards Grandpa received from his nieces & nephews from Malaysia and around the world. Grandma had never discouraged my endless questions of who's who (Chelliah mama & Chellachi, Dr. Alfred uncle, Dr. Duraisamy, William Iyathurai, Devadasons: Rose & Lily Machaal, A.S. K & Breckenridge, etc) & where, and thus my quest for ancestral history. 

The annual Christmas plays at school allowed us to be an angel one year, the Herod or Mary another year and to imagine and feel the events around baby Jesus's birth. I was also intrigued by the 3 wise men from the east  who followed the star to find the holy infant from afar.... Mummy would tell me "Yes, Jesus came as a child for us only." She would often add "Childhood is the best time; but, sadly it doesn't last long." It is so very true... Years just fly by and before we know it, we are older than mummy was when we had this conversation. Bless her soul... for she had been the greatest mother I have known!


May our hearts rejoice in the Joy of Christmas and childhood bliss! I am my mother's daughter,

VeerajaR


P.S._
The childhood bliss: Joy, Love and Peace is so exuberant in this picture of Maggie & the children and I wish my little niece was here with us.

Prize Design!

Child with a Kaleidoscope

I see a hopeful child with a kaleidoscope

Smiling rainbows...

 as he reigns

Forgiving his prize design 

Mercy

Flowing over mankind!

Poetry Copyright©2012VeerajaR




I am my mother's daughter, VeerajaR

Thanks Giving!

Being a living and
Breathing being - And for
Being my mother's daughter, a
Blessing so great... to Thank is
Beyond my being in awe, my God!

I am my mother's daughter,

Copyright©2012VeeraMahal Franklin

Flooding Verses!

 by God's Grace...I am my mother's Daughter,  VeerajaR

To Mummy...

The day -
My God
I first beheld...
Thy angel
In my sight!





I AM my Mother's Daughter,

Copyright©2012VeerajaR

Green Pride!

Thanks to some good weather, hard work and Blessings from God...

Our Garden is thriving! THANKS be to GOD!

There's no satisfaction that comes close to harvesting and cooking vegetables from your own garden... Or even herbs from a pot on the kitchen window-sill!

Try it... It's really good for body, mind and soul!


I'm My Mother's daughter,
Copyright©2012VeerajaR

Dare Greatly: Artist Exhibition!

That's my featured Oil painting titled "Standing Tall In Silent Prayer" 

   Of Course I am my mother's daughter!


Copyright©2012VeerajaR

Blessed blessing!

You are such a Joy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, son!










I am a proud mom and my mother's daughter,
Copyright©2012VeerajaR
P.S._ You brought joy to mummy and was blessed to be cared by her...

Proud Mom!

Happy Birthday, my son!

You are a blessing to the family...

I am a proud mom,

Copyright©2012VeerajaR
P.S._ Mummy was so.. proud of you even before you were born and HAPPIER when you were born!

Mighty View!

Mighty FLASH in the sky! 



I'm my mother's daughter,

Copyright©2012VeerajaR

@ the Honeymoon Capital

This is for YOU, mummy-- A HAPPY moment to cherish!


I am my mother's daughter,


Copyright©2012VeerajaR

Cedar Grilled by J

Proud dad enjoying Cedar Grilled Salmon and Asparagus dinner prepared from scratch by son J.




I'm a proud mother 

and

my mother's daughter,
Copyright©2012VeerajaR

The Living Spirit!

Yes, I believe
That I will rise - though
My bones may lie
Beneath the earth
With my last breath
My soul shall rejoin
The breath of GOD!
       -By VeerajaR

One of the favorite topics mummy and I used to discuss was "Life After Death."

She believed we will be raised, as in the bible. "While on earth, Jesus was able to raise the dead, chase the possessing demons (into the pigs) and now that he is in heaven he would lift us up into heaven. There is no doubt about it."  She had explained and it was simple, logical and seemed to make sense to my growing curious brain.

During one of my university vacations, she had me read Edgar Cayce's book on reincarnation that she had come across and we discussed it many a late night. That's when she told me, "if I can, I will come back at least two times, to give you signs that there is life after death."  She said, if one time--it can be pushed aside as coincidence, so she will  have to do two times. Thinking back I am amazed at how casually we had talked about it.

She has indeed kept her promise and had shown me signs quite a few times, I'd say!

The first incident was within a day of her passing while I was crying my heart out over her loss, continents away, vast oceans dividing us physically. The remarkable fact is that I had forgotten all about our pact, and  my husband who had no idea about any of this was the one who declared "Oh, my....! This is your mom's doing! She is already pulling threads up in heaven, persuading GOD,  to help us!" When I heard him say that, a memory spark lit up and I laughed out loud, my heart suddenly comforted while tears still pouring down my face...

I knew then she was reaching out from the other-side, as she promised, to tell me and signal that "everything is A Okay." I felt a peace of assurance that we live on after death.

What happened and why my husband said what he said is really an extraordinary story. We have told  this to our children and immediate family, and will share with all in good time!

In Ruah...

I am my mother's daughter,
Copyright©2012VeerajaR

Garden Stories...!

By
Cauliflower, Egg plant, Bell Peppers, Scallions, et al.

Counting my blessings...
I am my mother's daughter,
Copyright©2012VeerajaR

BLESS BLESSING!

                                                                                                  
 Copyright©2012VeerajaR

Corpus Christi!

What a blessing... Corpus Christi celebration is today.  From Malaysia to Ceylon, Corpus Christi parade photos give away your piety and most important aspect of your life- faith in Christ!

Happy Birthday & Love you, Dada!

I am my mother's daughter,

Copyright©2012VeerajaR

Cherish Every Moment!

Greetings from my heart!

To my very own little niece...
With Lots of LOVE

I am a proud aunt
& my mother's daughter,
Copyright©2012VeerajaR

Happy Birthday, Brother!

YOU are Special!
You didn't choose me and
I didn't know to pick you, my brother...
But, God did!
HAPPY Birthday!

I am my mother's daughter,
Copyright©2012VeerajaR

Holy Ghost, Catharine & Peter!

                                                                                                                                                                                      A real photo of a surreal once-in-a-lifetime  event!

The Patron Saint: "Catharine" of Alexandria


I am my Mother's daughter,
Copyright©2012VeerajaR

Bright & Golden!

                                           
                                                                  I am my mother's Daughter
Copyright©2012VeerajaR

MOTHER's Day, 2012!

Miss You, Mummy!


I am my-Mother's Daughter!
Copyright ©2012 by VeerajaR

My Mother's Day Rose

So Blessed I am.... to be YOUR Daughter!

Monument of Love!

Mummy,

Living every moment feeling your presence…

I am my-mother’s daughter,

VeerajaR

Copyright ©2012 by VeerajaR

Divine Mercy Devotion-2012

Today is the Divine Mercy Devotion Sunday!

It was a great day visiting St. Anthony's @ yet another beautiful site...

The wonderful surprise was that we actually crashed into Divine Mercy Devotion

at this small church. The amazing grace was the vibe for my little chapel- a vision to bring light to people who need it.

JESUS, WE TRUST IN YOU!

Mummy I miss YOU...

I am my mother's daughter,

Copyright ©2012 by VeerajaR

IRIS for Easter!

Copyright ©2012 by VeerajaR

My mother's daughter

Remembering Mummy

Harvest-2012

Green Thumb... bundled in genes?

I'm my mother's daughter,

Copyright ©2012VeerajaR

LAR-II

Copyright ©2012VeerajaR

P.S._ This photo is from mummy-in-law's English Teacher's Certificate(Ceylon) that she gave me as gift recently---knowing that I'll cherish regardless of its monetary value.

Ruah!

The snow doesn't freeze me

The wind doesn't chill me - now

That I am--pure as--the snow flake and

That cold wind swirling it free...

Poetry: Copyright ©2012VeerajaR

"Ruah" is a Hebrew word for SPIRIT!

I love it because it also means "Breath of GOD"

I am my mother's daughter, VeerajaR

In Silent Peace!

If I am thanking GOD

And honoring my

Father-in-law GFR...

With poetry, it is because

I am my mother's daughter.

Copyright ©2012VeerajaR

Power of Prayer: St. Anthony's Feast!

When we traveled in 2010, we happened to have missed St. Anthony's feast day--in the air, literally! My husband was sad, but was quiet about it.

Miraculously, we were saved! When we visited Manipay St. Anthony's church--the one where mummy used to go and pray for me--we were in for a surprise. They were having the St. Anthony's feast parade that morning and we were there without even knowing it. You can imagine how happy and blessed we felt.

We learned that they could not have parade on the actual St. Anthony's feast day and had postponed the festival which happened to fall on the day we visited. Too many factors had to come together for this near miracle to occur. It can not be a mere coincidence.

Once again we were reminded that there is someone who hears our sincere prayers and can make things happen. I am a believer married to a believer... who is the answer to mummy's prayers for me.

Love YOU mummy!

I am your daughter,

VeerajaR

Copyright ©2012VeerajaR

Many Happy Returns...

You are a Blessing... LOVE YOU!

Amma & Appa

I am my daughter's mother,

Only because...

I'm my mother's daughter!

P.S._This is the picture mummy got to see...

Copyright ©2012VeerajaR

Bountiful Blessings

As children me and my brother were blessed to have our grandma feed us with Mangoes, Pomegranates,Papaya, Annamunna & Jack fruits from her bountiful garden. She kept watch over the Papayas very closely, because at the slightest sign of yellow they would be pecked by many a fruit-loving birds and squirrels. Believe me these Papayas were the best.

I feel blessed to have witnessed this exotic woodpecker feasting on the bountiful papaya tree in mummy's Jessie Villa backyard. It has been so long seeing an actual Papaya tree with lushes fruits. A whole day I had been watching wood pecker, Song birds, squirrel & crows having a feast on the smallest of the bunch. I didn't get to taste these, but I can tell from the crowd that came to feed, it must have been very tasty. This smallest fruit seemed to stretch so much to feed so many hungry souls; hard not to be in awe of GOD's Grace...!

I am my mother's daughter!

Copyright©veerajaR2012

Remembering A Gentle Soul!

I am my mother's Daughter...

VeerajaR

A Very Blessed NEW YEAR, 2012!

May GOD be the center of our lives...

Day and night

May he protect & guide us!

Rampant tornadoes passed me by

Roaring thunders turned to lullaby

On your palm you hold me Lord

In my heart thy words pulse loud!

Poetry Copyright by ©2012 VeerajaR

I am my mother's daughter...