(There are times in life, when we look up to the heavens above, for answers, for solace, for comfort; because in some situations, 'Only God Knows', what's really going on.)
When I can't understand anything that's been happening...
When I just don't know, the reasons 'Why'...
When I'm completely 'Clueless' about what I did wrong, to deserve all of this...
When I really don't know what to do...
When I'm weighed down by hurt and sadness, and being totally 'Lost'...
I discovered this singer named JJ Heller, at some point, during the pandemic. She composes the simplest, sweetest and most meaningful 'Original Songs', together with her husband.
This is one of her very real songs, that lots of people would connect with.
A short chat that I had, a little while back, reminded me of this one.
(Originally written on FB, two years ago, on this day, 10th March '23.)
The Mirrors in our Eyes;
Clear Visions to See,
Piercing, Discerning,
Reflections of the Deepest Soul.
The Mirrors in our Minds;
On Constant Re-play,
Pondering, Wondering,
Reflections of Honest Truth.
The Mirrors in our Hearts;
Forever Aimlessly Lost,
Yearning, Longing,
Reflections of Devoted Love.
The Mirrors in our History;
Strolling Down Memory-Lane,
Unearthing, Discovering,
Reflections of a Forgotten Time.
The Mirrors in our Dreams;
A Walk into the Unknown,
Waking, Sleeping,
Reflections of Unfulfilled Desire.
The Mirrors in our Lives;
Like a Friend, Always There,
Accompanying, Guiding,
Reflections of Untampered Reality.
(I only ever had 'ONE REAL MIRROR' in my Life; and I see more and more of 'Her Reflection' staring back at me, every single day, each time I look into one.✨️❤️
I guess, that was the starting point of these reflective verses, when I wrote it two years ago.)
(A FB Memory from 3 years ago. This was originally written on the 5th of March '2022. It was a Women's Day concert, which had some of Mumbai's best Women singers on stage.)
I think I chose a really awesome show, for my first time back at the NCPA, after a gap of two long years, due to the pandemic. The Tata Theatre truly is one of my favourite places in Mumbai; and it has been so difficult, to stay away from it for such a long time.
Samantha Noella, Shazneen Arethna, Suzanne D'Mello Misquitta and Eden Alexander were just so amazing, singing together; backed by a really good band too. They picked some fabulous songs, that have been sung by many awesome women; and it goes without saying, they did full justice to every song.😍
It was great to hear Faustin Missier, playing in the band also.😊 I was very proud, to finally be there to hear one of my old students from DB, Vivian D'Souza on Bass Guitar, playing 'Live' at a concert at the NCPA.💕
The other musicians were amazing too. I especially loved all those varied percussion instruments. They added so much to every song.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
What a feeling to hear a 'Live Performance' again, after two long years. Enjoying the entire show with friends and a couple of students too, that I happened to meet at the NCPA; and realising that we had all booked tickets so close to one another, was an added bonus.😊🎶
Was also happy to meet some fabulous singers, that I have enjoyed listening to over the last two years - Shanelle Ferreira, little Kaydeynce Mendonca and one of my favourites Eshaan Shaikh.❤
Travelling by Mumbai's lifeline again, after a very long gap, and discovering that nothing has changed at all in two years, was fun too.
Catching a glimpse of the sea again, at Marine Drive, and watching the sun set over the waters, is also something I haven't done, in such a long time.
(An old FB Memory, from this day 5 years ago. Written on 8th March '2020. It was one of the very last shows I went for, before everything shut down, due to the Lockdown.)
Music has the ability to make you happy and to lift your spirits, like nothing else can.😊
It had to be a completely uplifting and joyful afternoon, when you've spent it listening to some of the best Rock n' Roll hits, performed 'Live' in the award winning Musical, 'Million Dollar Quartet'.🎶
This 'International Cast', of exceptionally talented singers and musicians, had the audience swaying and tapping their feet, to the beat of every song; and it was fun, to see so many get up and dance too.💃🕺
The fact that I got a chance to watch and enjoy this Broadway and West End Musical, right here in Mumbai, at the Jamshed Bhabha, NCPA, was so great. Thanks to the team that brought this Production to India, once again.😊
I usually only post things that I have written myself, on my blog.✍️
But a few days ago, I came across this Forward, on someone's page.
Pooh and Piglet have always been 'My Favourites'. So, I had to share this, because it was so sweet. 😊
“It’s a quiet night tonight, isn’t it, Piglet?” said Pooh, gazing up at the stars.
“It certainly is,” said Piglet, his little paw resting on his Friend’s.
“What do you think the stars talk about?” asked Pooh. “When we’re not listening, I mean.”
Piglet thought for a moment. “I think they talk about Light,” he said. “About how even in the darkest skies, they shine as best as they can, no matter how small they are. Because they know someone, somewhere, is looking up and needs to see them.”
Pooh smiled. “That’s a lovely thought, Piglet. Do you think we’re like that too? Little Stars, shining for each other?”
Piglet nodded. “Yes, Pooh. I think that’s what we’re meant to do. To be a Little Light for someone, even when the night feels very big and very dark.”
Pooh sat quietly for a moment, then said, “If that’s true, Piglet, then I think you’re the 'Brightest Star' I know. Even on my gloomiest days, you make me feel like everything will be alright.”
“And you’re mine, Pooh,” said Piglet, softly. “Because with you, I always feel safe, even when the woods seem scary, or the path isn’t clear.”
The two Friends sat together under the stars, wrapped in the kind of quiet Love, that doesn’t need grand gestures or fancy words. Just Presence. Just Care. Just two Lights, shining for each other in the great big world.
“What do you think we should do tomorrow?” asked Pooh after a while.
“I think we should just Keep Shining,” said Piglet.✨️💖
...and then, reading that Forward, made me think of this song. It matches what Pooh and Piglet were talking about, perfectly.❤️
THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR 🎶 (Song Lyrics)
- Dionne Warwick ft. Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder
And I never thought I'd feel this way,
And as far as I'm concerned,
I'm glad I got the chance to say,
That I do believe I Love You.
And if I should ever go away,
Well, then close your eyes and try,
To feel the way we do today,
And then, if you can remember.
Keep Smiling, Keep Shining,
Knowing you can always 'Count on Me', for sure,
That's what Friends are for.
For good times and bad times,
I'll be on your side, forever more,
That's what Friends are for.
Well, you came and opened me,
And now there's so much more I see,
And so by the way I Thank You.
Oh and then, for the times when we're apart,
Well, then close your eyes and know,
These words are coming from my heart.
And then if you can remember.
Oh, Keep Smiling and Keep Shining,
Knowing you can always 'Count on Me', for sure,
That's what Friends are for.
In good times and bad times,
I'll be on your side forever more,
Oh, that's what Friends are for.
Keep Smiling, Keep Shining,
Knowing you can always 'Count on Me', for sure,
That's what Friends are for.
For good times and bad times,
I'll be on your side forever more,
That's what Friends are for.
Keep Smiling, Keep Shining,
Knowing you can always 'Count on Me', for sure,
'Cause I tell you, That's what Friends are for.
For good times and for bad times,
I'll be on your side forever more,
That's what Friends are for
(That's what friends are for, ya)
On me for sure,
(Count on me for sure,
Count on me for sure.)
That's what Friends are for.
Keep Smiling, Keep Shining. ✨️💖
(Video shared from another YT page and the lovely picture and Forward, I just found on the Internet.)
(FB Memories from different years, written on this day.)
2nd March '2020 ✍️
30 years today, since the day your life came to a sudden and abrupt end, in an unexpected way.
30 years today, of longing and wishing and hoping, that you were still here, almost every single day.
30 years, since I first learned what it means to lose a loved one, my little brother Nathan, when I was only a 10 year old child.
30 years seems like a long time, and as time goes by, I have learned how to cope and smile, like you smiled.
The one thing that has lived on though, even 30 years since the 2nd of March'1990, are the memories of this day.
And even though, I know you won't be reading this today, I guess it's just my way of remembering you on this day, even 30 years later.✨️💖
2nd March '2022 ✍️
32 years today, since I couldn't even say Goodbye;
32 years of wondering and constantly asking 'Why'?🤔
Over three decades of wishing you were still here,
So that I could be your bossy old 'big sister' dear.😊
But 'Life is a puzzle' that I don't even try to comprehend,
A mystery, so complex, with unexpected twists at every bend.
So, every moment I think of you and miss you more,
And hope someday we meet again, on some heavenly shore.✨️💖
2nd March '2024 ✍️
34 years today, since that untimely and unexpected sudden farewell, on the 2nd of March 1990.
In an age of taking countless digital pics, where we constantly save more moments in photographs and videos, than we ever have the time to go back and look through again; there is something extra-special about old photo albums and the few pictures we have, of precious memories, with those that aren't with us anymore.
I never stop wishing, I could have had more pics and more memories; but life didn't exactly give me a choice. Of course, I do treasure and cherish the photographs that I still have from back then, even though they may be only a few.
You are always remembered Nathan and forever missed.✨️💖
2nd March '2025 ✍️
2nd of March' 1990.❤️
35 years later...
I still remember each moment of that unforgettable day, like it was yesterday.😪
I often wonder, 'What if that day had turned out differently'?🤔
People often tell you to 'Forget and to Move On' with your Life; but I strongly disagree. I Love to Remember, because what are we without 'Special Happy Memories'.💞
I never understand the logic of 'Moving On'.
How can we 'Move On', from the 'Loved Ones', who once made up our entire world? 🤔
How can we 'Just Forget' them, simply because many, many years or decades have gone by? 🤔
What if I was the one who had gone first, and I was just forgotten, as the years passed by? 🤔
I don't think I would like being replaced by someone else, so easily, and completely forgotten by my Family.
So, I 'Choose to Remember', every single day.
And, I 'Choose to Hold On', at every step of the way. ✨️💖
Days like today, make me think of songs like these. 🎶❤️
Some days are just more difficult to get through than others, even 35 years later...and when you have to multiply those days by three, you have a lot of those days, all year round.😪
But Thanks to those who always remind me, that a lot of my friends and loved ones still care. Each Like, Hug and Comment on a FB post that I share, on a day like today, (that may be 'Just Another Day' to everyone else; but one, that is 'Significant and Important' to me), means so much.
What if we could write a letter to our loved ones, who have journeyed on?
What if they could reply?
What if there was some way or someone, who could deliver those letters back and forth, between heaven and earth?🤔
These imaginary situations and scenarios, have been very creatively woven into the Storyline, of the play called 'The Far Post', which is set in a 'Post-Office', at a Border. A play by 'Dur Se Brothers', that is Written, Directed and Performed by Yuki Ellias, together with the Choreographer and Co-Performer of the show, Tapas Boro, and the innovative use of masks and puppetry.🎭
Yuki is a well-known name in the world of Theatre - Acting, Directing and Teaching too, but she is also an old college batchmate and friend from Xavier's; and I was just 'So Proud' from beginning to end, as I watched her in action, performing on that stage at the Prithvi Theatre, on the 26th of February '25.🤗❤️
The Play is a story of two enemy soldiers, killed in battle; who embark on a journey into the after-life, with the help of an endearing 'Postman Aunty' and her pet Goldfish.🐟
It is a 75 minute play, which kind of reminded me, of a Charlie Chaplin 'Silent Film', because there are very few dialogues in it. But despite that, the audience was completely engrossed and focussed right through, because of so many fascinating things, happening on stage.👏👏👏
The wonderful acting by Yuki and Tapas, was supported by a great backstage and technical crew. The smooth and seamless transitions by the two actors, with the masks and puppets and the switching of characters, the choreographed movements, the effects created by the Sets, Props, the perfectly synced Sound and Lights,(including a little shadow-play also); and most of all, the lovely background Music and Singing too, all collectively added so much to the performance.🎶
I loved that the Folk Fusion Band 'SOFIYUM' from Gangtok, Sikkim, played some soft and melodious music and songs in this play, 'LIVE', while the two actors (playing various characters), took the story forward. All the songs are in the Lepcha language, with English sub-titles. It was lovely to hear the multi-talented Yuki, joining the band, in singing a couple of songs also.😊
I was fascinated by a lot of things in this play; and I could see, that the rest of the audience was, as well. This very 'Unique and Different' play, in a Language that we do not know or speak, had the audience reacting in many ways, right through, with smiles, laughter and even a few tears.
When Performers use their Talent and Creativity, to think 'Out of the Box' and do something, which is so 'Unusual and Innovative', the result is always a very 'Interesting Experience'.😊✨️❤️
Have been listening to different Goan Musicians, Tammy and Roy, Jonathan and Nashvin (Music Fever Co). and Xanisha and Croydon (XaniCroy), singing 'Live' in Goa, over this past week.💕
Apart from the Konkani and Portuguese songs, which I enjoyed listening to, all of them also had a few lovely English songs, in their respective set-lists.😊
These are three of the songs which they sang, that I really liked.
We live in a 'Pretend, Make Believe World', where nothing is Real, and 'Truly' what it seems to be, anyway.🤷🏻♀️
Thankfully, we don't have to actually be in Love, to listen to a 'Love Song'.🎶 We can still enjoy the beautiful 'Songs about Love', even in the midst of, all the crazy and stupid 'Games People Play', all around us.
L-O-V-E 💕🎶
- Nat King Cole
TRULY 💕🎶
- Sonial Saigal and Beven Fonseca (Lionel Richie)
REST YOUR LOVE ON ME 💕🎶
- Bee Gees (Andy Gibb and Olivia Newton John duet)
When the only people who really 'Loved' us Unconditionally, who truly 'Cared' and who were 'Always There' for us, are all now 'Somewhere Out There', beyond the blue; songs with lyrics like these, make a lot of sense to us.✍️🎶
Whether we sit quietly by the ocean, staring out at the 'Horizon', to where the 'Blue Skies' appear to meet the waves; or whether we're just looking up at the Moon, on a dark starlit night. Songs like these, just make us feel like 'Our Loved Ones' up there, still communicate with us, from 'Far Beyond the Stars'.✨️
Even if, it is only our over-active 'Imagination', at work; sometimes, it is these silly 'Illusions', which we create for ourselves, that actually get us through each moment of 'Our Solitary Journey', through this 'Life', and take us, from one day to the next.🤷🏻♀️
(An old FB Memory...I wrote this 6 years ago, on this day, 11th February, 2019.
The years keep passing by, almost in the 'blink of an eye'. The Memories, they remain.✨️💖
'Family', and especially a 'Mother', can never be replaced. No one, can ever take her place, in our lives.😢)
For 5 months now, my mind has been on 'Re-play' mode. The smallest things trigger off a memory. A scene, a sound, an object, an event...Little things transport me back in time, in a matter of moments.
I keep re-living the last few days with you, the long struggle we went through together and I keep wondering 'What if?'🤔
If only I could actually turn back time...
If only things had turned out differently...
There is so much I miss about you Mama, every moment of every day.😢❤️
I just wish you were still here. ✨️💖
(The Pictures are from various places on the Internet.)
Two 'Uplifting Songs' to listen to, whenever anyone needs to hear words like these.😊
When the only people, who used to say words like these to us often, once upon a time, are far, far away, up in those 'blue skies' today;💖 and whenever there's no one else to say 'Comforting Words' like these to us anymore, just listen to songs like these on 'Repeat Mode'.🎶✍️
It's what I do, and it works like 'Magic';✨️ at least for a little while.🤷🏻♀️
I'LL BE HERE (Song Lyrics) 💕🎶
- Colbie Caillat and Sheryl Crow
Low, when you're feelin' low,
And you just don't know where to run to;
And broke, if your heart's been broke,
And you feel like you're all alone.
If you need something to Believe in,
If you're lookin' for,
A Light to Guide you Home,
Just look inside,
Your Light is shinin',
Brighter than you know,
You should know.
I'm never gonna let you down,
Always gonna build you up;
When you're feelin' lost,
I will always find you, Love.
Never gonna walk away,
Always gonna have your back,
And if nothin' else,
You can always count on that.
When you need me, I will be here,
I'll be here
I'll be here
I'll be here.
Laugh, I will make you laugh,
If you ever feel like cryin';
Close, I will hold you close,
You won't be alone anymore.
If you need someone to 'Believe' in,
If you're reachin' for a Hand,
To Guide you Home.
Just take my Hand,
And I won't let you go,
'Cause you should know.
I'm never gonna let you down,
Always gonna build you up,
When you're feelin' lost,
I will always find you, Love.
Never gonna walk away,
Always gonna have your back,
And if nothin' else,
You can always count on that.
When you need me, I will be here,
I'll be here
I'll be here
I'll be here.
If you need something to 'Believe' in,
If you feel you've reached the end of the road,
Don't be afraid, I'll always Guide you Home,
You should know.
I'm never gonna let you down,
I'm always gonna build you up,
When you're feelin' lost,
I will always find you, Love.
I'm never gonna walk away,
Always gonna have your back,
And if nothin' else,
You can always count on that.
When you need me, I will be here,
I'll be here
I'll be here
I'll be here.✨️💖
COUNT ON ME (Song Lyrics) 💕🎶
- Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans
Count on me, through thick and thin,
A 'Friendship' that will never end;
When you are weak, I will be strong,
Helping you to carry on,
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid,
Please 'Believe' me, when I say,
Count on me.
I can see, it's hurting you,
I can feel your pain,
It's hard to see the sunshine, through the rain;
I know sometimes it seems as if,
It's never gonna end,
But you'll get through it,
Just don't give in.
'cause you can,
Count on me, through thick and thin,
A 'Friendship' that will never end;
When you are weak, I will be strong,
Helping you to carry on;
Call on me, I will be there,
Don't be afraid;
Please 'Believe' me, when I say,
Count on me.
I know sometimes, it seems as if,
We're standing all alone;
But we'll get through it,
'Cause Love won't let us fall.
Count on me, through thick and thin,
A 'Friendship' that will never end;
When you are weak, I will be strong,
Helping you to carry on;
Call on me, I will be there,
Don't be afraid,
Please 'Believe' me, when I say,
Count on me.
There's a place, inside all of us,
Where our 'Faith in Love' begins;
You should reach to find the 'Truth in Love',
The answer is there within.
I know, that Life can make you feel,
It's much harder than it really is;
But we'll get through it,
Just don't give in.
Count on me, through thick and thin,
A 'Friendship' that will never end;
When you are weak, I will be strong,
Helping you to carry on;
Call on me, I will be there,
Don't be afraid.
Please 'Believe' me when I say
Count on me
Count on me
Count on me
Count on me
Count on me
Count on me
Oh yes you can
Oh I can
Sure you can
So glad I can count on me
Count on you girl.✨️💖
