(Was reminded of this old post today, written on this day, two years ago, on 28th August' 2023.)
I try not to miss a Stop-Gaps concert, because Alfred D'Souza has almost made it a habit, to bring together the 'Best of the Best' performers, choose the most wonderful songs, sing lovely harmonies and showcase every concert so well; that everyone sitting in the audience, enjoys every moment of the show, to their heart's content.😊
Yesterday's concert combined two genres that I really enjoy, Gospel and Broadway.❤️ So, it goes without saying; I was singing along, all evening; along with everyone at the Tata Theatre, NCPA.🎶
The song selection by the choirs and the individual performers, had a whole bunch of my favourite songs in it; and listening to so many of the artists, that I love and admire greatly, singing those songs so beautifully, was just 'Musical Magic'.✨️
Seeing so many familiar faces in the audience and meeting old friends, is also one reason why I love going for the Stop-Gaps shows. It always makes me happy.😊
Thank You Alfred D'Souza, the Stop-Gaps and every performer and musician, who kept us absolutely spell-bound with their melodious voices and amazing performances. Together, you all made last night's concert so special.👏👏👏
...and Happy 71st Birthday dear Alfred. What a way to celebrate your birthday!🎶❤️
I read a post last night, which shared an unbelievable experience, of a person who had to recently undergo a heart surgery, due to serious blocks, even though he had always been doing all the right things, to stay healthy, whether it was fitness, food or habits.
Thankfully, he discovered that something was wrong, in time; and could take corrective medical action immediately...and hopefully, he will now recover and get better slowly.🙏
But this is not the first time, that I have heard about a person, experiencing a 'completely unexpected thunderbolt' or 'health scare' like this, in their lives. One, that seemed to have appeared suddenly, out of nowhere.
A little less than 2 years ago, another friend, who was also just 50 years old, and was just as conscious about his health and fitness, had an almost similar experience.
Sadly, he wasn't as lucky; and passed away, just a few days, after tests revealed the blocks in his arteries. His condition couldn't be reversed, even after a medical procedure; to the complete shock and disbelief, of everyone who knew him.
He was another person, who had always been conscious about health and fitness; and yet, he couldn't prevent this from happening.
At times like these, when even doctors and heart surgeons, find it difficult to offer explanations, as to what could have caused such extreme health conditions, in people who actually seemed to consciously look after their health; it becomes difficult to understand, how these things could happen to anyone, without any warning.🤔
In my many years, of looking after sick parents; I have done extensive reading and research, about health related issues, food, nutrition and other similar topics. In the process, I have become more aware and learned a lot, about how lifestyle, stress, sleep, emotions, food, nutrition, gut health, and numerous other factors, are just as important as fitness and exercise, when we talk about overall health and well-being.
It's true that 'Death', can never be predicted, and it often comes without a warning. I've experienced that enough of times in my own life, to know that anything can happen to anyone, at anytime. Unexpected sicknesses and unforseen incidents, can cause people to just disappear from our lives forever, in a moment.😔
Very often, even when we think we are doing all the right things, we still experience 'health scares', even among young and healthy people. We try our best to take care of everything, that we think we know; but there is always so much, that we are not really aware of, that could be happening silently, on the inside, causing irreversible damage to our health.
Making little conscious and long term 'Lifestyle Changes', and focusing on our 'Emotional Well-Being', does make a difference to our health, to a large extent. I have discovered that for myself, over the last 10 or 15 years.
But at the same time, when you have watched so many people in your family die, you also become aware of the fact, that 'Death' is one thing, that we can never really predict. It could happen to any of us, at any time; and no one or nothing could stop it, even if we tried.
So, 'One Day at a Time.
One Moment at a Time.'
The only way to live this uncertain, unpredictable 'Life'. That's what my own experiences, have always taught me. This Life that we've been blessed with, is a Gift to us anyway. We just don't know, how long it will last.🤷🏻♀️✍️
A friend has been posting these old Ad films, over the last few days. I think, almost everyone in India used to watch these on Doordarshan, back when we were younger.
It was quite nostalgic to see these again. So, I thought I would share them here also.
FREEDOM RUN 🎶
With India's Sports men and women
MILE SUR MERA TUMHARA 🎶
Unity in Diversity
THE CADBURY DAIRY MILK AD 🎶
When Independence Day and Gokulashtami happen at the same time
(Videos uploaded by various people, on different YT pages.)
During the years when I was a student, I remember learning different 'Patriotic Songs' in school, in this month, for the 'Group Singing Competition' every year.
Besides that, we would also learn a few songs, from really old black and white films, for the flag hoisting function, held in our building.
Most of those songs, were written during the freedom struggle. So, the sentiments conveyed through the lyrics, really instill a feeling of patriotism for 'Mother India', whenever you sing them or hear them, even today.
In recent decades, there have been many songs in various movies and non-film albums, that have been dedicated to the nation. I like these two, most of all.
The first one is from Aamir Khan's TV show 'Satyameva Jayate'. Ram Sampath had composed many meaningful original songs, that were sung by different singers each week. I love it, because it truly evokes that patriotic feeling, whenever you listen to it.
BHARAT BHAGYA VIDHATA 🇮🇳 🎶
- Composed by Ram Sampath and sung by Shankar Mahadevan
The next song is one of my all-time favourite patriotic songs, by A.R. Rehman.
I remember, that back in college, when this song would play over the loudspeakers during 'Malhar' in Xavier's, which happened during this week; it just made you feel completely energised.
The entire campus would resound with this amazing tune, and there really was something so wonderful about this song, that I would love hearing it repeatedly, in those days.
(An old post, that I wrote on FB, 9 years ago on this day.
It's nice to read these 'Reflections about Life', that I had written a long time ago, once again, after a gap of many years.)
11th August '2016 ✍️
Life is full of many twists and turns along the way. Some of those, we are prepared for; but some crop up so unexpectedly, that they sometimes take us completely by surprise.
When these sudden turn of events are happy ones, they absolutely make our day; and we can't help but Smile, from ear to ear.
However occasionally, these unexpected twists, could result in a lot of sadness, hurt and pain.
Overcoming these hurdles, that come our way in life though, just takes a little bit of Acceptance, Forgiveness and the ability to Smile; even though we know, that it would have been better, if life had turned out differently.
Here's hoping, we are always prepared, to 'Expect the Unexpected' and are blest with the Gift of Acceptance, no matter how difficult the situation may be. ✍️
(These are a couple of quotes, that I had found online, during the pandemic. I posted them, 6 years ago on this day.
I had shared these, just as 'Motivational Thoughts' for myself, and for anyone else who may have needed it, at that very strange time, which everyone struggled to get through.
I guess, it's always thought-provoking to read quotes like these again, whenever you're reminded of them.) 🤔
(Was reminded of this old post today. I found this song on this day, two years ago, and wrote this post, on the 10th of August '2023.
I loved it, because I identified with all the experiences, that people spoke about, in this video.)
These little sharings, interspersed with this lovely song, from those who have experienced how Cancer invades the lives, of not just the person, but their entire family; are what make this song, so much more meaningful.
It was very special to hear different people, speaking about their 'Support System' and the 'Care-Givers', who were always there, and who loved them through it all.✨️💖
I'M GONNA LOVE YOU THROUGH IT 🎶
- Martina McBride
I'm also sharing another song, which I discoved some time ago. It is composed by a musician, who writes scripture based Biblical songs, mostly for children. I like many of her songs; and this one, has such beautiful and comforting lyrics.
It somehow, also matches the previous song; as there is strength in knowing, that through every struggle in life, 'God Knows' what we are experiencing. 'He Knows exactly how we feel'; and He constantly accompanies us, on our journey.🙏🌈
HE KNOWS 🎶
- Shawna Edwards
(Videos shared from the YT pages of the singer and musician.)
(Olivia Newton John left this world on the 8th of August '2022. She was one of my favourites; and on the day she died, I found this song.
I have shared it before, here also; but I read these two old FB Memories today, written on this day, back in 2022 and 2023.
So, I'm sharing the song again, with those old posts today.)
9th August '2022 ✍️
'Love is all we leave when we are gone,
Shining like the words of this song.
In every heart of those we touch,
In every dream that means so much.
Live on'.💕
Hadn't heard this song by oLIVia newtON john before.
It has such beautiful, beautiful words🙂(which I have shared below, for anyone who wants to read them.)
I know how going through or being around, a person with an illness like Cancer, takes you through experiences and teaches you 'Lessons for Life', which you can never, ever forget. So, I can identify with every word of this song so much; and I know, many others will too.
What a lovely and special song to leave behind!
I think she will 'LIV ON' in many memories and in many hearts.❤❤️❤️
Cancer takes people through many highs and lows. I think this song was created, at one of the good stages of her journey.
It's a heart-breaking, yet uplifting song, both at once.💔🌈
LIV ON ✨️💖🎶
- Olivia Newton John, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Amy Sky
9th August '2023 ✍️
I found this song last year, on the day Olivia Newton-John passed away, and thought it was such an uplifting song for her to have recorded; during all the struggles she had been through.🎶️
People respond and react to pain, emotional losses and long struggles with sickness, in different ways.
I guess through these songs, that she recorded in the last few years of her life, it was as if she was consciously leaving lots of positive messages behind, for everyone to listen to, after she was gone.✨️
I shared this song on that day too; and exactly a year later, I thought of it again. I think it's a beautiful song.❤️
(Song Lyrics) ✍️🎶
oLIVia newtON john❤
I'm wakin' up this morning
Grateful for the gift of one more day,
The light of hope is dawning,
It fills my heart and lifts my fears away.
Sometimes there's a 'miracle', just beyond the pain;
You can see the 'rainbow' in the rain.
Live on!
Live on!
Brighter skies will come again,
Cry the tears you cry,
And then LIVE ON.
Live on!
Love is all we leave, when we are gone
LIVE ON.
We've shared so much together,
Think of all the mountains we have climbed.
Sorrow, joy and laughter,
Woven thru' the tapestry of time.
Even as we're letting go,
We will not lose faith;
All the precious memories we've made.
Live on!
Live on!
In the hearts of those we touch,
All the dreams inside of us,
LIVE ON.
Live on!
Love is all we leave, when we are gone;
LIVE ON.
You've got to LIVE
You've got to LIVE ON.
Live on!
Live on!
More than just survive, my friend,
Or learning how to drive,
And then LIVE ON.
Live on!
Shining like the words inside this song.
LIVE ON.
Live on!
LOVE is all we leave when we are gone;
LIVE ON.
In every heart of those we touch,
In every dream, that means so much.
LIVE ON
Yes I believe that all of us,
LIVE ON.✨️💖
If there is one thing, that I have wished for most of all, right through my life, it has always been, 'I wish my Brother was still here with me'.💔
It is 'Raksha Bandhan' tomorrow, and everywhere you look, there are ads and reminders about the beauty and wonder of 'Sibling relationships'.
I lost my own brother, when I was only 10 years old, in a sudden and completely unexpected road accident. So, for close to four decades since then, I have longed for him to still be a part of my life, almost every single day.😪
I guess, in some way, he has always been around; because I constantly remind everyone who knows me, about him all the time, whenever I get a chance. Sharing old photographs of him, is just my way of making sure, that the people in my life, never forget him.✨️💖
When I was growing up, there was this one song, from an old Hindi movie, that always reminded me of my brother, and always made me cry, every time I heard it somewhere...It still does, even now.😔
It is an evergreen Hindi song, that a brother sings to his sister. So, someone or the other, always shares it again, during this time. I found one of those newer videos today.
EK HAZAARON MEIN, MERI BEHNA HAIN 😪💔🎶
...and this is another song that I love. Probably, if my brother and my parents were still around, they would say things like this to me, to encourage me and to make me feel supported, whenever I needed it.
Since they aren't around anymore, I can only listen to a song like this; and while I imagine them singing it to me, I just encourage myself.
I guess, that's what people, who weren't given much of a choice, in the way their life turned out, do.🤷🏻♀️
It was good to spend an evening at the Tata Theatre, NCPA, on the 3rd of August; listening to an orchestra and a choir, blending together in harmony, to play and sing a selection from various Operas.🎶
Music is always enjoyable, especially when you recognise a few of the songs; but the highlight of the day for me, was watching the 5 young boys in the 'Percussion section', trained by my friend Winston Fernandes.😊 Everyone in the audience, was very appreciative of how focussed they were, and how they did such a great job, even though playing in an Orchestra, was a first-time experience for them.👏👏👏
The informal way in which the Conductor, interacted with the audience, right through the concert, was also something that deserves to be mentioned. He introduced every song, with some interesting background information, adding a lot of humour right through, which is rare to see at a concert like this. I thought that was amazing.
I also liked how he told us about many of the instruments, being played in the Orchestra, all through the evening; right before the songs, where we would get a chance to hear that instrument prominently.👍
The 'Bombay Chamber Orchestra' was conducted by Guest Conductor, Tobias Drewelius, for this Concert. They were accompanied by 'The Cathedral Choir', which is directed by Mario Nazareth.
Farah Ghadiali (Soprano) and Kersi Gazdar (Tenor) were the Soloists for the evening and sang so beautifully.
Concerts like these usually have songs, sung primarily in Italian, which an audience in Mumbai, would not understand. However, they had actually picked a varied selection of songs, many of which were popular and well-known; and they sang many of the English versions, which was great. 🎶
Besides that, since the Conductor literally turned the Concert into a 'Workshop on Operas and Orchestras', introducing both the songs and the instruments to us, with lots and lots of background information; I was so glad I decided to go for it. The evening turned out to be a wonderful learning experience for me, and for every single person in that 'Full House' audience.
Seeing known people on stage, both in the Choir and the Orchestra, always makes the concert more enjoyable. It was also nice to meet quite a few friends in the audience, at the event.💕
BCO concerts are generally not very long, and get over earlier than most events. This one though, ended up becoming one of their longest concerts, because of all the additional information shared. Despite that, almost every person in the auditorium sat through, till the end, which means it was enjoyed by everyone there.👏👏👏
I often see pictures shared on friend's pages, that I identify with, because they are very close to what I think and feel.
These are a few, that I have saved, just because I like reading them again occasionally.
Coping and dealing with 'Grief', and the multiple emotions and feelings of emptiness, loneliness, being completely overwhelmed by life, and everything else that comes with it, is extremely challenging, for anybody.
Each person finds their own unique ways, to cope and keep going, despite the pain.
For most people, it becomes a 'One day at a time' kind of situation, forever, after the death of someone in their family, who they loved dearly.
...and there really is no time-frame, when it comes to coping with 'grief and pain'.😔
I think, that the world would be a better place, if everyone simply tried to help one another, to get through each day, in little ways everyday.🤍🌈
(Pictures shared from various pages on the Internet.)
The 31st of July is the Feast of St.Ignatius of Loyola, and every year on this day, I am always reminded of my days at St.Xavier's College and St.Xavier's Institute of Education (SXIE). They will forever remain, the best 6 years of my life as a student.
Some of my most talented and successful friends in various fields today, have been the ones I met back in college. That 'Xavierite Connection' with old College friends, and with Xavierites anywhere, will always remain unique and special.😊💕
This new College Anthem was composed a few years after we left college, by Fr.Terrence Quadros and Fr.Roy Pereira.
This video from 'The Xavier's Special' on Jukebox Jammies #97, which happened on 11th July '2020, has the old College Anthem, that I remember. This one, was sung by Kim Cardoz. We used to enjoy singing this Anthem, back in SXC. 🎶
...And I also remember this fun song, sung in college, quite a few times; earlier by my Principal Fr.Emil D'Cruz and Fr.Terrence Quadros; and then later, by my Professor and Principal Fr.Frazer Mascarenhas, together with Fr. Terrence, who was the Counsellor of the College for many, many years. Fr.Roy Pereira would accompany them on the piano, even back then.
Over the years, Fr.T has modified these lyrics. But it was always enjoyable, to listen to them singing this song.
(A FB Memory from this day, 8 years ago, 29th July '2017.) 😔
'I touch the future - I teach'.
What a day this has been!
Earlier this morning,I heard that one of my teachers from St.Xavier's College, Ma'am Eunice de Souza passed away; and even before the day has drawn to a close, I received news that one of my teachers who taught me in Class X, Sir Devtosh Theckedath had also breathed his last today.
On one day, the world has lost two amazing and special teachers.
Both these teachers, touched my life during my years as a student; and even though, their passing away today, leaves me with a heavy heart, I thank God for blessing me with wonderful teachers like them, when I was a student. They have touched my life and the lives of countless others like me.
I celebrate the 'Gift of Teachers' like them, to this world. They will always be missed and thought of very fondly.✨️💖
(I wrote this three years ago on FB, on this day - 27th July '2022.
I guess 'Parents Day', like every other occasion or festive time of the year, always makes me miss my Family, so much more, than I do every single day.💔
Life continues, only because I'm still breathing; but the meaninglessness of it all, makes absolutely no sense to me.)😪
For my many 'Angels in Heaven', today on 'Parents Day'.✨️💖
These three songs, are especially for my Parents and Grandparents, as I think of them fondly on this day. ❤️
Also for my Uncles and Aunts who have passed away.❤️
...and of course, for my brother and cousin too.❤️
Thank you for everything, that each of you meant to me, when you were still here; and for now being like my eyes in those blue skies, constantly.
Though I wish you were all, still right here with me everyday, you will continue to 'Live On', in my heart and my memory. That's where I'm keeping you, and where you will stay, 'Forever and For Always'.🤗
Though days like these make me miss you, so much more than every other day, I'm glad I have so many 'Angels', praying for me from up there.🙏
I like to believe, that from somewhere out there, you are always watching over me, even from a distance.✨️
WIND BENEATH MY WINGS 💖🎶
- One Voice Children's Choir, Jim Brickman, Mat and Savanna
