So November is almost on its way out and the last month of the year is knocking on our doorsteps. It sometimes feels where did the months go though each one had its own trials and tribulations? So, it is time to take stock of November in another one of my gratitude posts.
November is a special month for me as it is my birthday month. 🙂 And the month did start off with a bang. After Diwali celebrations, the family pulled out all stops to make the day beautiful. What would we be without our families? Always, always grateful for them. A special mention of my mother-in-law who went and bought me a wonderful cake and tried her best to make the day lovely for me. The kids managed to pull off a surprise by buying me a gift. The message said, “To the best mom in the world!” Always heartening to hear that especially when one of them is a teen. 😉
The husband and I went out for dinner just the two of us much to the chagrin of the kids. Overall a beautiful day spent amid lovely wishes, phone calls and love.
It was a month when we were hit by a hugely impactful decision — demonetization. Suddenly money is the only topic we discuss followed by queues. Of course, Trump also became US President which came as quite a shocker. But let me not dwell too much on that. It was a decision of the American people. God bless them.
Demonetization, well we will continue to see what its impact is as time goes by. Grateful that I live in a big city where I can get by with minimal cash. Also grateful for the little gestures, I saw among people to help each other out. Never give up on the power of good and community.
November was also a month when I had many niggles healthwise. Two strong allergy and fever attacks one after another. That took the wind out of my sails. The family rallied around to help me get better and so did the colleagues. I also had a nasty fall in the bathroom and I gratefully thanked all the strength training I do for preventing any major injuries. I had another episode of minor food poisoning. But grateful to my body for bouncing back each time. My exercise routine has been irregular due to all the illnesses and I am hoping that it will be totally back on track in December.
Had long chats with a few close friends. Always such a lifter of spirits. Also unfollowed/unfriended a few people on my social media profiles. My happiness first is the philosophy I follow these days. That bring me to the question — Do you believe in outgrowing people? I do. Sometimes, we start off with different expectations which don’t materialize along the way. It’s best to move on without remorse. Not all relationships are meant to be. I am grateful for the experience and wisdom to handle this well and not fret over change.
I am grateful for all the lovely vegetables that the husband grows. There is something therapeutic about greenery. I am by no means a gardener. But I do love flowers especially of the heady perfume kinds. So this month, I picked up the shovel (damn it is heavy!) and planted a few seeds. Eagerly watering the pots and waiting for them to flower. I am grateful to have a small patch of land and space to indulge in creating some green.
Finally, I am grateful for my Coco. Every month. Always. There is not a stress in the world that does not go away when he is near me. Always ready with a comforting hug and eager ears to listen to whatever I rant about. His bright eyes and wagging tail never fail to bring a smile to my face. How fortunate and eternally grateful I am to have him as my son.
On that emotional note, here’s wishing everyone a happy December.
How was your November?
Do join on Vidya’s blog for November’s Gratitude Circle blog hop
Also linking to #Thankful Thursday with Amrita & Tina
Pics courtesy: Dragana Jokmanovic on Shutterstock
This year seems to have zipped by way too fast! But then i realise that I find myself saying that about every year past:)
Your Birthday month was truly eventful, what with the American and Indian governments chipping in to make it so too!:))
Glad you had a fun birthday and doubly glad you did the dinner with hubby:)
We realise the value of being fit only when our body absorbs the shocks and helps us heal faster.
Wishing you a great December!:)
Yeah, it always feels that way, doesn’t it? Looks like the Universe conspired to make the month very eventful. 😉
Wish you a wonderful December as well, Mayuri.
I so love reading your posts, Rachna!
November has been trying my emotional strength as I face the difficulties faced by my son, Chikoo. As he battles old age and his illness, I feel helpless and sad that nothing much can be done to reverse the condition. But, when I look at him facing it so bravely, I wonder why I couldn’t learn that from him – to be brave in the face of every trial life puts us through!
My writing has increased in November – I am grateful for that, for the ideas that strike me when I am thinking about something else. 🙂
I agree with you about un-friending people from social media and giving your happiness much more importance. We are going to be living with ourselves, and not with those people who couldn’t care less about us/our feelings. So, we are really better off without them.
Looking forward to December and some chilly wintery days in Mumbai.
I hope your December goes by smoothly and peacefully. I am glad you could fight off all those ails and pains. Take care, my dear!
Awww Thanks so much, Shilpa. I know what you are going through and you are in my prayers. It is the toughest thing to see your pet old and suffering. It feels so unfair that they have such short lives. But always focus on what he brings to you every single moment.
I am happy that you are writing more and sketching more too. Thanks for validating that it is okay to grow out people.
Yes, it is chilly here already and so much dryness in the air.
Quite an eventful month this has been! I love the cherry tomatoes from your vegetable garden. They looked so perfect and beautiful.
Yes, we do outgrow certain relationships and moving on is the best way forward. No point in hanging on to it when your heart isn’t in it.
It’s wonderful you had a fab birthday. I am smiling at ‘much to the chagrin of the kids’. Hope you are feeling fit and fine and here’s to a wonderful December!
Thanks, Shilpa. Hope you have a great December as well.
Love your post, Rachna! Hope you’re feeling much better now! Glad you had a wonderful birthday.
Outgrowing people? Of course. That’s the law of nature, I think. And your happiness first is a wonderful policy. As for the demonetization, I am sure it will all work out! Hugs!
Thanks for joining the Gratitude Circle bloghop. I love having you in it! ♥
(Is that your handwriting? Nice!)
Thanks, Vidya. Yes, doing well now. I am grateful to your Gratitude Circle for these reflective posts every month. Love doing them.
If each month gives birth to such a rich post, I wonder what your Christmas letter would be like 😉 But honestly, I enjoy zooming in and out on life – yours as well, thanks a lot for sharing! I recently voice-chatted with a friend who I only met in person briefly – for may be a minute, but things happened and we have been on-line friends for 5+ years. It was interesting hearing her voice after all that time, and finding out that speaking with her was just as enjoyable as e-messaging. May be it’s time to do the same with you 🙂 I would love it!
That’s a lovely thought. Yes, we must speak soon. Skype?
So it has been an eventful month. And hoping the following month has more interesting things in store. The cherry tomatoes from your garden seemed awesome, red plump and juicy. Its a lovely thing to have your own garden produce. The demonetization thing did take a lot of us off gaurd. Hoping it would settle down sooner.
Thanks, Ramya. Yep, quite of bounty of cherry tomatoes this season.
Loved to see your post Rachna. Glad you are back to good health. Your husband is doing a pretty awesome job at growing the organic vegetables. Loved the cherry tomatoes on insta! Thanks for Linking up with #ThankfulThursdays
Thanks, Tina, for dropping by.
“Especially when one of them is a teen”- I can so relate to this as I also have a teen and a tween at home. 🙂 Small moments like these make us feel special and grateful for all the love around.
Hope you are feeling better now and getting back to routine. So glad to get in touch with you through these wonderful posts. Would love to meet you too. Wish you a belated happy bday. 🙂
True, Deepa. And it helps to focus on these small, beautiful moments instead of only concentrating on all the things that went bad.
Yes, feeling much better now. Thanks for your warm words. Would love to connect with you as well, Deepa.
I simply love reading gratitude posts 🙂 They make us reflect on everything good that’s happened to us all month long. It’s certainly been an eventful month, hasn’t it? Hoping the demonetisation strain eases quickly. I can already see many small vendors who have begun to use PayTM and PayUmoney, so these are good steps.
As for Coco, he is a darling 🙂 So unconditional, the love of an animal. You are so blessed. Continue to have an amazing December and round off the year with joy.
I know. Me too. Fills you with a kind of warmth. It has been an eventful month. And yes, a month of change for all of us.
I am blessed to have him. He is not aware of how much joy and love he brings to everyone around him. 🙂
Wish you a happy December as well, Shy.
Happy December Rachna. *sniff*
I’m grateful to know accomplished bloggers like you 🙂
Happy December to you too, Vishal.
I didn’t see any blogging accomplishments in this post, Vishal. But thanks anyway. 🙂
Hey, feel better! I didn’t realise you had been sick. Hope things are on the mend.
Thanks, Rickie. Yeah a pretty rough month on the health front. Getting there slowly.
Will remember next time , but pl. accept my belated wishes of your birthday . wish you a very Happy Birthday .
Thank you so much, Yogi ji.
Nice Read. Till date November is turning out to be pretty good. Both my kids were born in November, hence it was celebration time. My daughter who is currently in a boarding school was at home for a couple of days and that was again celebrations. At the work place unusually schedules were a bit relaxed so managed some free time. Overall November appears to be a nice month.
Thanks, Sunil. Good to hear that the month has been so good for you and your family.
OMG,a fall and then poisoning:(.So happy that you have bounced back Rachna.And yes,where would we be without our families–very well said.
Thanks, Indu. Much better now.
good to know about the you and November, i have lots of memories with this months, most close and painful those are.
Sorry to hear about the painful memories. Hope December is better.
Honestly November has not really been all that great. The highlight for me has been the TataLitLive which was a life changing experience for me. But since the month has ended with my minor accident just proves that the health problems going on in the family are not over yet.
As far as the world issues goes, Trump is going to be like a game of chance. I hope he wins the game, now that it is what it is, though I am really not very hopeful. Demonetization – Good plan bad execution and rest only time will tell.
Your posts are such a joy to read. Coco, S and I talk of often along with Snoopy, Cutlet, Tinkle, Pepper, Snowy and the gang. Its like they are ours too. S keeps asking me about them and their stories 🙂
Sorry to hear that you had a rough month as well especially healthwise. I hope things get better in the last month for both of us.
We talk about S too. Both the boys ask about him. And I know exactly what you mean about our pets belonging to all. There is a bunch of kids who come home to play with Coco. They love him like their own and well he has a lot of love to give and some more. I see the purest form of love between a child and a pet. I have seen both my kids become better people due to Coco. So blessed we are to have him and he has no idea. Give a hug to S from me and the kids.
This was an uplifting read. November was overall a good month for me… 🙂
“There is something therapeutic about greenery”- I wholeheartedly agree to this….
Thanks, Maniparna. Yes greenery is beautiful.
It must be lovely to spend time with each other… just the two of you.
Gosh… I hope you doing better now… that’s a lot to deal with. I am sure you will be back on track 🙂
It’s good to see your garden produce. I am eagerly waiting for mine.
Coco is so adorable… saw an update on Instagram. Give him a tight hug from me 😀
I will, Raj. Coco is a joy. Instagram is fun. And l just love your Yoga pics. Your flexibility is enviable. I will pass on the hug.
Oh, hope you feel better now…because of changing weather even we have been on and off (not severe though).
Have a Happy December and enjoy year-end.
Wish you a great December as well, Alok.
November surprisingly turned out to be very challenging. First was the deadly delhi smog which held me indoors. Then ofcourse the notes ban which resulted in a very tough time. Great to know that it is your birthday month. Guess one should try to remain in a happy mood, come what may, in this entire birthday month. Later it will become habit. 🙂
Wish many more candlelight dinners for both of you!
Didn’t know you lived in Delhi, Sabyasachi. Oh yes, one more thing to be grateful for in Bangalore. No smog. It was quite terrible from what l saw in the news reports.
Thanks for all the warm words. Hope December is good.
Missed catching up on a lot of posts of yours. I didn’t know you were sick that long and fell too. So sorry about that. Glad to hear you are bouncing back 🙂 You almost know how my November has been. Sis had a baby boy on the 23rd. Just today, my aunt’s FIL passed away without troubling the family much. But we all will be missing him. Glad I could meet him this summer. The family went on a road trip after a long time. December is going to be more challenging with Christmas holidays round the corner.
Thanks, Latha. Yes, l am doing well now. Hope December good well for you.
Too much of health hurdles all at the same time. Glad you handled all of it strongly. I admire how you speak through your writing. Happy blogging through the rest of the year!