Ike

It was a Texas size hurricane leaving a trail of destruction in the Galveston-Houston area. It came at night as we stayed in bed listening to the howling of the storm in an unknown fear. We had no electricity for days. With candlelight and hurricane lamp we managed through the post Ike days. There was no TV, landline, cell phone or radio. We were totally disconnected from the world. In a high tech world that we live in, Mother Nature humiliated us and brought us to our knees. There were fallen trees, downed wire lines, and debris all around the neighborhood. The “green” of the golf course looked more like “rough”, rather like trash left behind after a wild party. There was darkness everywhere; grocery store shelves were empty. People were frantically looking or standing in an unusually long line for a bag of ice or a little gasoline. Yes, we are the blessed ones. So many lost everything. A few even buried their loved ones. Human spirit shall overcome the adversity, but we must learn to respect the power of nature and not do anything that goes against her.

A Wedding In The Park

August 30, 2008. The groom came riding a white horse. The bride came with parents on either side accompanied by six bride’s maids dressed in beautiful "mekhela-chador". It took place under a sunny, blue California sky in the Shakespeare Garden at the Golden Gate Park. A wonderful fusion of two oldest traditions took place. Circling a sacred fire, taking seven steps (saptapadi) with seven blessings, exchanging garlands, exchanging rings, taking vows and breaking of a glass started a magical journey for a young couple together for better or for worse as long as they shall live. They choked up, tears trickled down as emotions ran high as they took their vows. As the father of the bride, I witnessed something as the happiest man on earth. Let there be sunshine forever in their lives.