LIKE A CANDLE IN THE DARK 🕯✨️

 

A few Inspirational Songs about 'Light, Love and Peace'.✨️❤️🕊

This World could always use a little more of all of it, not just during the 'Festival of Lights',🪔 but every single day.🕯🌎

BE A LIGHT ✨️🎶

- Shawna Edwards

Most of her songs are 'Gospel based' and usually sung by Children. I have followed her songs for a few years now, and I like many of them.😊

LIGHT A CANDLE FOR PEACE ✨️🎶

- Shelley Murley (Sung by her daughter Emily)

A beautiful song about 'Peace in Our World'. If only human beings, all over the globe, realised how important and necessary it is, to live in a 'Peaceful World'.🕊🌎

We just have 'One Life to Live', and no one really knows, how long or short, the 'Duration or Time-Frame', of our 'Journey through this Life' is going to be.🤷🏻‍♀️

Why can't we just spend the time we've been given to live on this earth, 'Living Peacefully, in Harmony with one another', at all times.🤍😊

THE LIGHT IN YOU ✨️🎶

- Bethel Music 

While we always hope and pray for 'Peace in the World' outside, we also need to be filled with 'Light and Peace', and a sense of calm within.🤍

A reminder in song, (that all of us human beings need occasionally), especially during 'moments of darkness', when we experience feelings and emotions like 'anguish, pain, distress, worry, hurt, anxiety and loss'.💔😢

A very meaningful and uplifting song, about 'Peace in our Hearts and Minds'. I found this one today, when I was listening to different songs about 'Light'.✨️

...because there is a 'Light', deep inside each and every single one of us. We just have to 'Discover it, whenever it is Lost, and 'Let it Shine Bright', just like 'A Candle in the Dark'.🕯💞

For every person in our lives, who always sees 'The Light', that shines brightly within us, even at times when we cannot.🌟🤗

Such a beautiful, uplifting song. I just accidentally found it today, and I liked the lyrics.✍️

Enjoy the 'Festival of Lights' everyone.🪔 A wonderful time to remember, that we can all 'Be a Light' in our own little corner, every single day.✨️

(Videos shared from different YT pages.)

WHEN VIENNA SINGS FOR YOU 😊🎶

 

(An old FB post, written 5 years ago, on this day, 31st October' 2019.)

As I listened to the children from the 'Vienna Boys Choir' in Austria, (on a tour of India after 15 long years) singing at the Tata Theatre, NCPA last evening, I was amazed at how little children, all between the ages of 10 and 15, from almost 15 different countries of origin, were singing together in perfect harmony.

These children are part of a 500 year old Music school in Vienna, Austria; and they travel all over the world in small groups, singing and performing. 

While they performed the music of a number of world famous and renowned composers, they also attempted to sing a couple of popular Hindi songs. 

One of the songs they sang as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th Anniversary was 'Raghupati Raghav'. Without even knowing the language, they sang so beautifully and harmoniously, in their cute Austrian accents.😊

Children can sometimes teach us human beings important 'Lessons', about breaking barriers and walls, because they actually don't really exist at all. 

They are simply 'man-made creations', and if we only overlook those 'differences', there is so much 'Joy' we can find; because we would just enjoy the pure 'Peace and Warmth', that little children singing harmoniously in their angelic voices, brings to our hearts and minds. ✨️🎶

LOVE CONNECTION 🎶

 

Songs and Love - There's always a 'Magical Connection' between the two.✨️💞

I listened to three lovely songs today, that I just felt like saving here. Two of them are old songs, that I love; and one is a new song, that I heard today for the first time.

DANCE WITH ME 🎶

- Caleb + Kelsey

I heard my friends from Goa - Tammy, Roy and Gavin, singing this song, at a '25th Wedding Anniversary Celebration' party, earlier this evening. The words are so beautiful.❤️

I JUST CALLED TO SAY 🎶

- Ben Fernandez (Piano Instrumental)

My Jazz Pianist friend from NZ shared this short version of an old song, on his page today. These old songs are so nostalgic. I remember this one being played at home a lot, when I was younger...and just hearing an Instrumental version of the song, instantly takes me back in time.😊 (Am sharing the link to the song, from Ben's YT page.) 

https://youtu.be/cR8IbAHP1qs?feature=shared  

SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME 🎶

- Sarah Vaughan

I've always loved this song, especially the Willie Nelson version of it. But this one, has very different introductory lines, which are lovely too. They make a beautiful song, even more meaningful.💖

(Videos and Link shared by others, on different YT pages.)

EVEN WHEN I'M NOT ✨️💖

 

When you have 'Special Friends', who've experienced deep pain and loss, in their own lives, you know that you 'Always have someone around', (even from afar), who 'Understands', who 'Knows' and who 'Feels', exactly what you are going through, every single day.😢

And when they share that same kind of 'Love for Music' that you do, you always get introduced to beautiful new songs, like this one.😊🎶

A friend of mine watched this new movie, (released just about a month ago), with her little niece yesterday. This song from the Credits of the film, meant 'something important' to her; and I'm so glad she thought of sharing it with me today. It really made me cry, even though I haven't watched the movie myself.💕

That's the 'Magic' of beautiful 'Lyrics', that truly mean something, to anyone who listens to a song.🎶

Since I didn't know what the movie was about, I just looked it up; and this is what I discovered.

'The Wild Robot' is a 2024 American animated science fiction survival film, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. 

Based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Peter Brown, it was written for the screen and directed by Chris Sanders.  

The film follows Roz (Nyong'o), a service robot shipwrecked on an uninhabited island, who must adapt to her surroundings, build relationships with the local wildlife, and become the adoptive mother of an orphaned goose, Brightbill (Connor).

Thank You to my friend Tricia, for sharing this extremely 'Meaningful and Comforting' song with me today.🤗

Yes, those who we Love and Miss, will 'Always Be There' for us, even when they're not; just 'From a Distance'.✨️💖

(Videos uploaded by others, from different YT pages.)

THE JOY OF LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE ✨️✍️

 

(Another 7 year old post, from this day, 26th October '2017. Written at a very difficult moment in my Life, during my mum's long illness. 

These little posts that I wrote everyday, back then, were just my way of 'Motivating Myself' - Constantly reminding myself to 'Be Grateful Anyway'.)🤷🏻‍♀️

Have just been thinking about how 'Joy and Sadness', always go hand in hand in Life.😊😢

Of course, difficult moments and sad times, often 'come without a warning', and just 'catch us off-guard', sometimes. 

Those moments are hard to get through; and it is only a 'Strong Faith in God', and 'Loved Ones who Care', that help us go through every struggle, with a 'Smile'.😊

But somehow, even 'Happy Experiences and Memories', often fill us with a hint of Sadness, because we never want those moments to end. We long for those 'Good Times' to come again. They make us wish, that we could meet and spend time, with 'Old Friends and Family' that we miss, just once more.😢

I think, that it is actually this constant mix of 'Sunshine and Rain', that really makes our lives a 'Beautiful and Colourful Rainbow of Experiences', that helps us 'Learn and Grow' everyday.🌦🌈

Grateful for the 'Gift of Life', with all its ups and downs.✨️✍️

JOY OF LITTLE THINGS 🎶

- When Chai Met Toast 

(Picture from the Internet and Videos from different pages on YT.)

YOU CAN'T MAKE OLD FRIENDS 😊💕

 

(An old post, originally written on 22nd October '2017.)

It's easy to forget the people, that we don't interact with everyday. As the saying goes, 'Out of sight. Out of mind.' 

Once we stop interacting with someone on a regular basis, our mind gradually stops reminding us about them frequently; and over a period of time, they become nothing but a hazy, distant memory, sadly.😞

However, there is also a saying that says, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' 

I think, when it comes to some 'Friends and Loved Ones', the amount of 'Time' we haven't met, or the 'Distance' that separates us, makes absolutely no difference. 

We constantly look forward, to meeting them again some day, and to re-living the 'Happy Memories' from the years gone by. 

I guess that's what you call, 'Friendships that Last Forever'.💞 

Time and Distance makes 'No Difference Whatsoever', when there is genuine 'Fondness and Love in our Hearts'.

I thank God for the 'Gift of all the Friends in my Life'. Near or far, each of you is 'Always Remembered' with Lots of Love.✨️❤️

YOU CAN'T MAKE OLD FRIENDS 🎶

-Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

(Video shared from a page on YT.)

DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE 😊🎶

(This was the second JJ session, I was reminded of today. These 'FB Memories' constantly make sure, that I don't forget those 'Happy Times'.😊 

I got two JJ reminders today, from different years, which I had shared on this day. This one is from 22rd October '2021.)🎶

'Just Carlton' singing around 30 songs in one session, including so many special ones, for two and a half hours. This is my favourite kind of JJ show for sure.❤❤❤ 

Thanks to Paola Ravishankar, who just kept requesting one song after another non-stop;😊 all of us in the 'JJ Family' had a real treat, of close to an hour extra of 'Last Songs', after Carlton first said 'This will be the last song'.😂 Glad Lionel De Nazareth decided to reach late too. Waiting for him, gave us lots more songs to listen to as well.😊

A show from the banks of the Mandovi River in Goa, with the boats sailing by in the background; and the Mandovi bridge, all lit up in the night. What a beautiful setting, to listen to so much lovely music.😍 

Thanks Carlton Braganza for a really wonderful evening. You really didn't hasten to bid us adieu last night, and we all loved that.💕 JJ # 205 was a lot of fun.🎶🎤😊

JUKEBOX JAMMIES # 205 

(22nd October '2021)

Sunset on the Mandovi, Goa

(Video shared from Carlton's YT page.)

THROUGH THEIR EYES ✨️🎶

 

(These FB Memories just keep reminding me of old JJ sessions, all the time. I got two reminders today, of JJ sessions that happened in different years. This is one of them, from this day last year, 23rd October '2023.)🎶

'Out of the Box' Carlton Braganza is known for often doing very unique and different things.😊 This was a beautiful event that Carlton did in Oslo, Norway, last year.

An exhibition and panel discussion about Alzheimer's and Dementia, together with some very real 'slice of life' poems by Astri Ghosh, who has also been a regular listener of Jukebox Jammies.🎶💕 

According to me, the title chosen for this event 'Through Their Eyes', could actually refer to the world and experiences, of both the 'Patient' and the 'Caregiver'. A lot of people who are or have been 'Caregivers', may actually identify with the thoughts and feelings expressed in these poems too.✨️ 

Watch this everyone. It's really lovely.❤️

THROUGH THEIR EYES ✨️🎶

(Also sharing 'the description of the event' from the OPUS post.)

Through Their Eyes - An Exhibition on Dementia and Alzheimer's, Melahuset Oslo, Norway.

The exhibition 'Through Their Eyes', depicts life with Dementia and Alzheimer's in Norway and India, and the pain experienced by the relatives. The exhibition was first shown at the 'India International Centre' in Delhi, in January 2022. It is now being exhibited, in several places in India; and on September 19th, it will be shown for the first time in Norway.

In addition to the exhibition of photographs by Andy Malhan, there will be a Poetry Reading by Astri Ghosh and Carlton Braganza, and a panel discussion with Dr. Abdullah Mohammed, Neurologist and senior consultant at Rikshospitalet, and Carsten Strobel, neuro- and elderly Psychologist at Lovisenberg Diakonale Sykehus. The topic of the conversation, is how Dementia and Alzheimer's disease affect the immigrant community in Norway.

The poems will be performed in English, Norwegian and Hindi, while the panel discussion will be in Norwegian.

The photographs in the exhibition were taken by Andy Malhan. He has lived, studied and worked on five continents; and this has led to a passion for communication, storytelling, bridge building and bringing people together. He is a caregiver and the son of an Alzheimer's patient.

Astri Ghosh is a poet and translator, based in both Oslo and Panjim and Mussoorie in India. She is currently translating South Asian mystical poetry, Dalit writers and feminist poems into Norwegian. She is the daughter of an Alzheimer's patient, has portrayed an Alzheimer's patient in the movie "Life Flows On".

Carlton Braganza is a Singer, Photographer and Writer. He started out as a Sailor, but went ashore to establish the Restaurant and Music Club 'Opus' in Bengaluru. During the pandemic, he took requests from listeners around the world and sang on 'Jukebox Jammies' on Facebook and YouTube every night. With more than 250 episodes and 10 million views, he received rave reviews from the renowned Rolling Stone magazine.

(Video shared from Carlton's YT page.)

'TEARS OF JOY' MOMENTS 😊💕

 

(A FB Memory from 22nd October '2022. This was a tiny little moment, that absolutely made my day, two years ago.)

When you've been away from School for an entire term, and a child in the X Std. (that you speak to, after almost 6 months) says this to you, "Miss, every time it's our English period, I still wish you would walk into class."❤

...That really feels even better, than winning a 'Gold Medal'.😊😊😊

My Teacher Friends will identify with this 'Feeling'.😍

The little 'Unexpected Things' that children say everyday, that just make you 'Smile'. I think all Teachers will have a long list of 'Special Moments' like these, to 'Treasure Forever'.💞

...But that 'Joy' didn't end there, on that day.

Once I wrote this short post, another ex-student from an older batch, who is now all grown up and married too; wrote this, in response to what another friend commented on my post. 

It almost made me cry, because that student had passed out of school, more than 12 or 13 years before I wrote this, in 2022. 

To still be 'Remembered and Cherished' by students that you've taught years ago, in that way, is 'Magic'.✨️❤️

Truly, our Real Treasures in Life, are 'People and Moments' that make us 'Smile'.😊 

(The pictures are from different places on the Internet.)

LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART 🎶

 

Listened to a Piano Instrumental album today, once again after many years. The album has 18 beautiful old songs, played by my pianist friend Ben Fernandez. It was released in New Zealand, a few years ago.😊🎶

I liked this one song in it and went looking for other versions of the song. Found these two. One sung by Bing Crosby and another acapella version posted by a singer on YT. Sharing all of them in this post and the link to Ben's lovely album of 18 songs too.💕

LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART 🎶

- Ben Fernandez (Piano Instrumental)

- Bing Crosby 🎶

- Acapella Version (Julien Neel) 🎶

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS 🎶

- Ben Fernandez (Piano Instrumental Album)

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nscWiH1Z6nzp19pHFzex4mzNY3CNfElC0&feature=shared

(Videos and Playlist from various YT pages.)

CELINE LEARNS TO ROCK 😊🎶

 

(This post was originally shared last year, on this day, 21st October '23.

Quite a coincidence that this FB Memory came up today, almost exactly a year after I watched this young Musician Rameses Fernandes, play at the NCPA, with 'Dr.J and Kelly'.❤️

Only a couple of days ago, I heard him accompany 'The Salvation Singers' in their Concert, once again at the NCPA. 'So Happy and Proud', to watch this talented boy, growing as a Musician.)😊

What a lovely evening of very 'nostalgic songs', (that we used to listen to when we were younger); at this wonderful show called 'Celine Learns To Rock'.😊

Performed by the very talented Dr.Jarvis Pereira (Dr.J) and the fabulous Kelly D'Lima, together with some wonderful musicians; Russell Fernandes, Leonard Jordan; and this real bundle of talent from IC, that we are all so proud of, Rameses Fernandes.❤️

Everyone around me, at the NCPA Experimental Theatre, was singing along with almost every song;🎶 and you know the audience is really enjoying a concert, when people spontaneously come forward and start dancing,🕺💃 (which is quite rare at the NCPA).

Seeing familiar faces and meeting friends is always the added bonus, when you go for these concerts. It really was a very enjoyable evening.😊 

The memorable songs of Celine Dion and Michael Learns to Rock (MLTR), performed so, so well, truly made it a 'Musical Treat'.👏👏👏

A RHYTHMIC LAUGH RIOT! 😄🎶💕

 

Once in a way, you go for a Concert, which makes you feel like you have 'so much to say about it'; and yet, it leaves you feeling 'Absolutely Speechless' too - both at the same time.

I went for one such, truly amazing Choir Concert yesterday. It was 'SO, SO CREATIVE CREATIVE',😆 in a hundred different ways, from the first song to the last one. It most definitely was, (like the cover of their brochure said) 'A Choral Experience Like No Other'.👏👏👏 

I always say that 'The Salvation Singers' Choir is 'My Favourite', because not only is their Singing 'Beautiful', every single time; but the 'Innovative Ideas' and the truly 'Out of the Box Thinking' that their Conductor Dylan D'Souza and his entire Team come up with, are all absolutely 'Fantastic'. 

The 'Creativity Quotient' of 'The Salvation Singers' is just 'Super'.👍

 ...and I think, each person who was at the 'Tata Theatre' - National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA, Mumbai) last night, (which included lots and lots of friends and familiar faces from the city), will agree with me.😊 

In fact, the loud resounding applause after every single song, from the entire auditorium; and the way everyone in the audience responded to the fun lyrics of every song, says it all.❤️

There was not a single dull moment, right through the evening, which is 'A Real Achievement', for a Concert that was almost three hours long. It shows how much careful and minute 'Thought and Planning' had gone into thinking of every little detail. 

The show was amazing in various ways. Right from the 'Month-long Social Media Promotions', to the very awesome 'Choice of Songs' and a purposely created, very tricky 'Programme', that kept everyone guessing right through the show.😄🎶💕

The fabulous Mash-ups and Arrangements of songs (including some old Ad Jingles, some very meaningful and thought- provoking songs, and also songs in various Indian and Foreign languages),👍 the way they presented the songs on stage, the Sets and Lights, the Super-Talented Musicians and Amazing Soloists, and even the way the Compere's wonderful Script, tied the entire show together.

...and also, the 50 other things that I have still missed out mentioning here 😄 - Each aspect of the evening, was just 'Outstanding'.👏👏👏

Of course, the 'Super-Energetic and Very Interactive Conductor' deserves the loudest clap and the biggest cheer. I can bet you have never seen a more lively Conductor than Dylan D'Souza. His energy on stage, is Infectious and is a treat to watch.💞

Music is 'A Happy Place' for many of us.✨️ 'The Salvation Singers' made our world,  'A much Happier Place' last night.😊 

Heartfelt Gratitude to Dylan and to every single person in the Choir (and those who worked behind the scenes too), for the Rhythmic Music, the Uncontrollable Laugh Riot, the Non-Stop Smiles and the Warm Embrace, that each member of the Choir shared with us yesterday. We felt all of it, through every song they sang.🤗❤️

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE 🎶

THE CHOIR 🎶

THE MUSICIANS AND SOLOISTS 🎶

THE CONDUCTOR 🎶

LOVE, LIGHT AND GRATITUDE ✨️💖

 

I heard a new song posted by Shawna Edwards last night. She writes very meaningful Gospel based songs. Many of her songs are written for children and sung by children too. I like many of them, but am sharing just two of them today.

GRATEFUL ANYWAY 😊🎶

- Shawna Edwards

BE A LIGHT ✨️🎶

- Shawna Edwards

...and a couple of days ago, I heard this fun 'Gospel Song' on the Gaither Music page. These singers from the Gaither Galaxy of Stars, make even Gospel Music, sound like a Party.😄

LOVE IS LIKE A RIVER 💖🎶

- Gaither Vocal Band, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

(Videos shared from various YT pages.)

LET THE MUSIC PLAY 😊🎶

 

Two of my Favourite Children's Choirs, that I really like, recently shared these two songs.

The first one is a new and different version of an old song, by 'The Doobie Brothers'. 

I remember this tune from a Jingle that used to play on AIR FM Radio 'All the Time', in between songs, when I was younger. I wonder if they still use that Jingle now.🤔

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC 😊🎶

- One Voice Children's Choir 

(The Doobie Brothers)

This next song is from Andy Grammer's new album. Whenever he teams up with the 'PS 22 Chorus', to do one of his songs, it always sounds good. Their 'Music Teacher' Gregg Breinberg, writes some nice harmonies, for the kids to sing, every time.💕

MAGIC ✨️🎶

- Andy Grammer and the PS 22 Chorus

(Videos shared from different YT pages.)

YOU ARE MY CHOSEN FAMILY 😊💞

 

(Today seems to be a day for re-posting multiple old FB Memories, on my blog.

This one is from last year, 18th October '2023.)

October was a 'Birthday Month', for both my Mum and me. One thing that Birthdays help me realise over and over again, year after year, is that I really have been 'Blessed', with lots and lots and lots of 'Special People' in my life.😊

In addition to my extended Family, (who I know will always be there, whenever I need them); there are so many countless Friends, who have crossed my path over the years. Most of them, I haven't seen in years; but that 'One Birthday Wish' every year, 'whether near or far away', keeps us 'Connected' still.💞

Although some people remain a 'Constant' for most of our lives, like our Cousins, Uncles and Aunts and very close Childhood Friends; a lot of the Friends we make in life, are a part of our world for just a few years, before we all journey on, in different directions. It's actually so amazing, how at various stages and phases in our lives, we become 'Closely Connected' to different groups of people.

For me, that list ranges from old Neighbours, that I've grown up with, (who've now moved away), to MIG, Xavier's, SXIE, Univ classmates, to DB colleagues and Teachers from our various DB schools, to Friends from Choirs I've sung with, and other friends I've always known in IC, to Dear Friends that Music and the Pandemic brought into my life, over the last few years.💕️

...The list of people who we meet and become Friends with over the years, is just endless, if we really sit down and think about it.

Most of these Friends and Family, we may not even meet, as often as we used to, or talk to anymore, other than a couple of times a year, only on Birthdays and Occasions; (and a lot of times, just because FB or one person on a whatsapp group reminds us.)

But even that 'One Line' from a loved one, literally from all corners of the globe, always makes me 'Smile'.😊 

It also makes me feel immensely 'Grateful for every single person who Cares', (despite the fact that I have pretty much turned into a 'hermit crab' and been very distant, and have preferred to keep to myself, in recent years). 

Thank You everyone, for 'Always Being There', even from afar.🤗❤️

To every single one of you, and most especially to 'Friends who are a Part of my World, in this present phase of Life', 'Thank You for being my Chosen Family'.✨️

Just wanted to let you know, that 'I'm Grateful for You'.💖

This meaningful song, really conveys the thoughts in this post, in the Best possible way.😊

CHOSEN FAMILY 🎶

- One Voice Children's Choir

'We don't have to be related to relate,

We don't have to share genes or a surname,

You Are, You Are...My Chosen Family.'💞

(...and I just love 'Winnie the Pooh'. It's one of my Favourite Cartoon Characters. So, I'm always saving these pics, whenever I find them anywhere.)😄

YOU'LL BE IN MY HEART, ALWAYS 💞

 

(Some of these old FB Memories are 'Special'. This one is another old post from two years ago, 18th October, 2022. I wrote this when I received a copy of my 'School Magazine', 6 months after leaving DB.)💞

 

After close to two decades of working on so many, many issues of the School Magazine at DB, year after year (which was one of my Favourite things to do),😊 and putting together countless Tributes like these for other people; it was a very emotional feeling to read this today, in this year's First Term (October '2022) issue of the 'Bosco Flash'.❤️ Such simple and sweet messages, but filled with so much 'Love', absolutely made my day.😊 

DB will always remain 'Close to my Heart'. I have made so many 'Lifelong Memories', both in and out of the classroom, not just teaching children my subjects; but also helping them discover their innumerable Talents in Writing, Singing, Acting, Performing and so much more, through the various school activities. 

I think I loved the Extra-Curricular Activities in school, a lot more than actually teaching Subjects, because the 'Creative and Performing Arts', have always been something I love and enjoy. Hopefully, I was able to transfer some of that Love for it, to my children too.🎶💕

The unforgettable 'School Trips' all over the country and beyond, are 'Lifetime Memories' and I'm really going to miss this year's Diwali trips with all the children and my friends at DB. Travelling together with 100 and more kids on every trip, was always so enjoyable.😊

Reading these lovely messages today, just brought all the memories made at DB, flooding back.😊💕 I'm so glad, that in my 18 years as a School Teacher, I made a 'Small Difference' and was able to make a place in a lot of hearts. 

Even after being away for half a term now, it really makes me feel so blessed and loved; and I am immensely 'Grateful' for it all.❤️❤️❤️

Reading this old post and those lovely messages again, two and a half years after being away from DB, I'm just so 'Grateful to have been a Teacher'.✨️❤️

A FRIENDLY NUDGE 🤗❤️

 

(A FB Memory from two years ago on this day, 18th October '2022.)

Some things in Life, just seem to be

Part and parcel of who you are;😊

And even if, many years may have gone by,

From its lure, you can't really stray too far.

A 'Friendly Nudge', is all it takes ❤️

To remind you of the Joy it brings;

Like riding a bicycle, it all comes back,

When a Choir, in Harmony Sings.🎶

Thank You to my old college friend Neuman Pinto, for that 'Friendly Nudge' and a little bit of coaxing, two years ago in 2022, to get back to Singing in a Choir, after almost 7 to 8 years of being away, from just about 'Everything'. (In the first few of those years, I stayed away, because I just didn't have the time; and in the next few years, because I just didn't feel like it anymore.) 😢 It might have taken me, a few more years to decide to get back, if not for him.❤️

Was a fun couple of months, singing with him as the 'Conductor'. 🎶 Sometimes, people don't even realise how they help someone else, by just getting them to 'Remember', what they once Loved to do.🤗

I haven't gone back to Singing regularly often, after that happy experience. Only briefly, now and then, when Friends ask me to join them for a specific event, which only involves a few practice sessions...I prefer Listening to others sing, rather than singing myself, most of the time now.

But those few months of singing in a Choir again, after a very long break, was an 'Important and Significant Time in my Life', simply because it brought me out of my 'Self-Imposed Solitude', at least for a little while.😊

(I just found those musical cliparts are from various places on the Internet.)

SWEET SWEET SMILE 😊🎶

 

I just listened to these two beautiful songs, again this morning, because I was reminded of them yesterday.

Was watching one of Tammy and Roy's 'Live Sessions', at Kismoor last night, in which they sang a whole bunch of really lovely old songs, on a very rainy night in Goa. This was one that I liked.

HEY 😊🎶

- Julio Iglesias

Another singing duo from Goa, Jonathan and Nashvin from 'Music Fever Co.' also went 'Live' from one of their sessions at 'The Village Bistro'. They were joined by the very sweet Alacoque Morenas, from the Goan Band 'Raagas2Riches', for a couple of songs. 

'The Carpenters' have always been 'My Favourite Sibling Duo'. So, I loved hearing this song yesterday, once more.

SWEET SWEET SMILE 😊🎶

- The Carpenters

(Videos uploaded by different people on YT.)

YOU ARE LIKE AN ANGEL TO ME ✨️💖

 

Earlier today, six Goan Musicians got together, to do an 'Online Session' of songs, that could be specifically used for Line-Dancing. 

Many of these songs were new to me, and some of them were really beautiful.💕

This was one of those lovely songs.😊

When I went to look for the song, I found only a couple of videos of the song sung by Bouke, but so many, many different 'Line-Dance videos' of this song. 

I guess, even though I hadn't heard it before, in the 'Line-Dancing' world, this song is quite popular.🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Like Tammy and Roy mentioned during the session today, apparently Line-Dancing is quite professional around the globe, and they dance not just to 'Country Songs', but also to songs meant for different styles of 'Ballroom Dancing'. Also, just like Musicians have a Music Score Sheet, Line-Dancers have a 'Step-Sheet', for them to remember the Choreography...We learn something new every day.🕺💃

So, instead of sharing the song by the singer, I decided to share two of those Line-Dance videos, that some people have posted on their YT pages.

YOU ARE LIKE AN ANGEL TO ME 🎶

- Bouke

ALWAYS AND FOREVER ✨️💖

 

Seven Birthdays...An Ocean of Unforgettable Memories.💖

14th October '2024 ✍️

While 'new memories' can always be made,

'Precious Old Memories' can never be erased.

...They will linger on and on 'Forever'.💞

While 'things' can always be replaced,

'People Who Truly Matter' can never be forgotten.

...They continue to 'Live On In Our Hearts', every single day.✨️❤️

I often wonder if our 'Loved Ones' somewhere up there, can really hear us, when we talk to them.🤔

...I just talk anyway.

Who knows? 

Maybe they can.💖

14th October '2023 ✍️

It always made me happy to share a Birthday Month with my Mum. Her birthday was just 10 days after me; and even though we both preferred quiet birthdays, it was still a 'Special Feeling'.✨️

Every occasion comes with countless little Memories, that we shared together. How I wish I wasn't the only one left behind, to remember those moments though.😪

Happy Birthday in Heaven!❤️

14th October '2022 ✍️

One of the most 'Special' things in my life, is the fact that my Mum and I shared a birthday month. With both our birthdays being just 10 days apart, October was always a month we looked forward to.😊 We didn't really have any Celebrations on our Birthdays every year, because we both preferred it that way; but it still always felt 'Special', to be born in the same month as her.💕

Navigating one's way through the vast 'Ocean of Life', is not so easy when you don't have your 'North Star', your 'Compass', your 'Lighthouse', to Guide you in the right direction and to show you the way. For me, my Mum was all of that; and most of all my 'Best Friend'.❤️ There's no one I miss more; and not a day in the last 4 years has gone by, without wishing she was still around.😢 

Her name 'Felicia' means 'Joy' and 'Happiness'. It has been a struggle to find that, over these last few years; but I try a little more everyday, in my own unique ways, to look for the elusive 'Sunshine' amidst the dark clouds...Thankfully, whenever I do find those rays, it helps to brighten up at least some moments along the way. I am always so 'Grateful' for the warmth, love and cheer that comes with it. Maybe, that's my mum's way of watching over me from up there.😊

Happy 70th in Heaven dear Mama!🤗❤️

14th October '2021 ✍️

Apart from the fact that my mother was my closest friend, one of the things I loved most was that we also shared a Birthday Month. So October, was always a special month for us.😍

There are so many things that I miss about my Mum, every single day. 

- The sound of her calling my name, most of all.

- The taste of the food she cooked, the cakes and chocolates and Christmas sweets she made, year after year. (This is one quality of hers that I haven't inherited.)😂

- Coming home from school and telling her lots and lots of fun stories, about my day with the children everyday.

- Her reading every new script, poem, blog post or just about anything that I wrote or created, for an event or activity big or small, or her comments, on so many of my FB posts.

- The look of Pride on her face, every time she watched my writing and months of rehearsals and hard work, come alive on stage, at every Annual Day Musical; or when she read through every copy of a School Magazine, which I had worked on for months.

- Those warm hugs whenever I needed them most. (Don't get those too often anymore, from anyone; and I miss that.)

- Her constant Guidance and Words of Encouragement at every step of the way, through life.

- The fact that she always knew when something had gone wrong, before I could even say it.

And I could just go on and on and on...😢

The ones we Love, sometimes go away; but they leave behind 'Countless Precious Memories' and 'How those Memories Linger', long after the person has gone.❤

Today, is her 4th birthday for which my Mum is not around; but I never stop wishing that she was still here...because nothing or no one could ever take her place.😔💕 

Hope you're still singing up there too.🎶😍 I can bet a lot of the Angels come to you for 'Words of Advice', all the time, just as so many people did, down here.😊 

Happy Birthday in heaven.❤❤❤

14th October '2020 ✍️

'All kinds of everything, remind me of You'.🎶

Happy Birthday in Heaven, to the 'Best Friend' I ever had.🤗💕

14th October '2019 ✍️

You always were the 'Wind beneath my Wings', and in so many moments every single day, you still are, because I just continue being the person you moulded me into and shaped me to be. 

It would have been really great if you were still here with me; but I will always be glad to have been your Daughter. 

'Forever Loved and Fondly Remembered' at every step of Life's Journey, and especially today on your Birthday.💕😊

14th October '2018 ✍️

(This Birthday, was just a month after she passed away.)

(The pictures in each collage, are from different places on the Internet, that I found over the years.)