Nach Punjaban Nach!

Is it that day of the year again? – Wow! – 2022 has just flown by like the F 18 Super hornet flown by Tom Cruise in Top Gun -2 and in this alternate universe Sethi Sahib is still procrastinating on the very last day of Dec trying to pen down the images from the year gone by.

Well, this year too, K got her weekly reminders started in December itself with V also joining her in the chorus in the very last week to ensure, I am not getting away this year, without updating this little bit of our digital space.  

K thank you for being your persistent self and more importantly for being you always. Sometimes it's just not easy to express in words what I feel but I know you just always hear my unsaid. Thank You for everything you and everything you add to my life every day.

I think as the time flies by, you tend to reflect upon the passing years not just from facts alone, but then you also tend to see it through the prism of many floating images and then finally conclude with just the essence of the year as captured in your thoughts through the senses, words, smells and sounds of people & places that you’ve experienced and felt.

So, as I once again jog the memory lane right from the start, this was the year which slowly unfurled from the shadows of being confined at home, to getting back to the normal routine.

It started with the trip to Jaipur where Chantu, Bantu had some amazing time at Trident and brought in endless smiles to all of us. The joy of seeing them jump with Joy as they mercilessly hop, skip and jump on hotel’s mattresses is always priceless. This was doubled and trebled as they both zip lined together at the Rangmanch and Rocksport farms and enjoyed every ride to the fullest. The boys were finally getting to go out again.

And by then the Offices too opened up, school became fully offline, teams’ classes became part of history books, cabs, traffic and traffic cops got busy once again on roads. And as we touched August, the life in India reflected its true normal self as we experienced in Vrindavan where we all swam and hussled in sea of humanity for evening and morning darshan’s of the god. Final family trip from this year concluded in Hyderabad – where Chantu and Bantu, the Bahubali's of our lives had some real good fun clicking away happy times at Ramoji while we all eagerly waited for the long trek to conclude and hit the hotel beds by the time the evening breeze flew in.  Well as you add up numbers to your age, your smiles are reflected in the naughtiness of your little ones and by god's grace these two never let those smiles go every day.

Also, for some rare astronomical and planetary alignments, I had my own share of additional official wanderlust – to Jaipur (again), Hyderabad (again) and Philippines (not again but for first time) this year. But as Sethi Sahib clocks in years and wisdom toots, you just realize it’s the people that make the place. That feeling of smile, warmth laughter and eating together with your loved ones can make any place come alive.

Speaking of loved ones around me, I just wanted to wish S and V never-ending happy times together and the best of everything the world has to offer and also say the biggest heartfelt thanks for holding each one of us together. But S and V as you both read this, just wanted to say do take care of your own-self too as we all see this life unfurl together and let it go through its smiles, surprises & Hussle every day.

And finally, to Mom and Dad, tones of gratitude for your presence, for being there and blessings & guidance that protects and safeguards all of us every second. Wishing for all the happiness and tones of good health for years to come. Your presence alone drives this engine of life every-day crossing over every speed breaker and red signals on the way.

Also, a big thank you to folks at work, friends from over the years and everyone who touched our lives and shared in a smile, sent some happy wishes, shared a good laughter, forwarded a funny meme and dropped in good vibes in our lives. Moments your shared with us are always treasured.

And as I wrap up the year – playlist that buzzes in my head for 2022 includes Burna Boy (gbona), Pakistan (Mankrit Aulakh), Excuses & Insane (AP Dhillon) , Put Jatt da, vibe  (Daljit Dosanjh), Paris trip ( honey singh) , Nain Ta here ( Jugg Jugg Jiyo) , Himesh playlist on loop ( spcly when ur alone in Hyd and PHL) Gypsy and concluding with the Last song syndrome is White brown and black by Karan Aujla ( I know everyone gonna kill sethisahib for this last two 😊 )

And as Sethi Sahib steps into next year adding more grey hairs and inches to his handsome self– I just have one wish for the universe – Bestow good heath to everyone. Let 2023 be the happiest, healthiest and the most smiling years of our lives. So, here’s wishing everyone a very happy, smiling new year full of good health and wellbeing. Just eat, love, pray, enjoy life and do a smiling Nach Punjaban Nach on some cool bhangra beats!