REFLECTIONS ON 2024

As the year 2024 comes to an end I was just thinking about what has happened over the year and I must say that in my case it has ben quite a roller coaster! I lost four relatives who were all very dear to me. At the beginning of the year Vinay’s Chachaji passed away… Anand Prakash Goenka. He was a gentle soul , always with a smile on his face and used to get extremely happy when we went to visit him. Then I lost my Satish Chacha. He is someone who as a family we all miss. He had his separate equation with all of us and I loved the fact that he got on with Vivek as much as he did with Vinay and myself. In fact, though I hate to admit it, I think he probably enjoyed himself with Vinay more than me! He was ever ready to come and visit us in Kolkata and even became super friendly with our friends also. After that the next sad news was my Sevita Massi. I used to talk to her pretty much every morning… just general conversation like ‘have you had your tea ‘ or ‘ what are you having for breakfast’ or even ‘how much do you pay for mangos’!!! All inane topics but how much I miss that daily alarm. She literally took over from my mother when she passed so her going left a real void in my life. Then if that wasn’t enough the eldest in our Ruia family Uncle Bhim bid farewell and even though he was very explicit that we should not mourn his going how can one not forget his lovely sense of humour, his unconditional love or his role as mentor in our family. I just hope and pray that wherever they are they are all at peace and reunited with their loved ones. 

Then onto my highs. So, as I have written in an earlier blog I managed to travel quite a lot… or I guess I should say… a hell of a lot … during the year 2024. I was literally like a nomad and I enjoyed every moment of it. I love visiting new places, seeing new cultures and trying new food. I am blessed that I have the freedom to fulfill my wishes and I look forward to many more such trips. 

A few more highlights:

My niece Priti Agarwalla’s son Anush represented India in the Olympics in Paris in the equestrian event which was an extremely proud moment for the whole family. 

My grandaughter Alia Kankaria became India no 1 in the under 11 squash category and has just today left to participate in the Scottish and British Squash Amateur Tournaments. She is my darling and has worked so hard and diligently on her game and I am sure she will learn a lot during this trip. 

Then of course the highlight of my year is always Christmas and this year was no exception. I started buying all the presents a few months ago and my grandchildren have given up all pretence of writing to Santa and just Whattsap me instead!! This year it was my intention to get everyone one “good” gift rather than a whole load of things… which I did but then of course I couldn’t resist buying them a few add ons which somehow steadily grew! After all you have to have presents under the Christmas Tree or how is it Christmas?? And I enjoy racking my brains trying to think of new things to surprise them with and seeing the expressions of delight on their faces lasts me for 6 months after which I start again!!! Of course my daughters also keep spoiling me so it was a happy time all around. 

I can’t finish without telling you a story about my grandson Vivaan. He had gone on a school trip to Kaziranga and both Vivek and Neha were travelling to a wedding on the day he returned so we had told him that we would send the driver for him and instructed him where to meet him etc. I suddenly decided to go and pick him up so I was waiting outside the arrivals hall and he came out and was looking up for the driver… this driver is tall so he was looking upwards!! Now I was jumping up and down trying to catch his eye and he spotted me and his face filled up with a huge smile of surprise. When we got into the car I took out a packet of food I had carried for him.. some pasta, milkshake, macarons and chocolate croissants and he was delighted and said “ this is why grandmas are so special”. I am still floating on cloud 9 after hearing this!!! 

So, as 2024 comes to an end I can’t wait to see what the new year has in store for me. I just hope it will be filled with love and happiness with my family around me. 

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! Buckle your seat belts guys… I’m sure we are in for a hell of a ride!!!