Saying goodbye to my city
Leaving it’s twinkling lights
As the plane takes off, I look down
And wipe a tear from my cheeks
Goodbye my beloved city- till we meet again!
➰➰➰
In response to; MLMM- Photo Challenge # 531, hosted by Sarah
#Keepitalive
#MLMM
#PhotoChallenge
1• Packing up to leave, what is the clutter you leave behind, empty bags, packaging, wrapping- sundry things? Perhaps food you got and couldn’t consume is in the pile too, or clothes discarded, pamphlets unwanted! In a pile you leave, because it’s excess baggage.
2• Now imagine a room left tidy, all things replaced where they belonged, neatly and nicely. Excess of anything disposed of properly and in its right place.
For the traveler, the net result may be the same, but for those coming afterward, there is a lot of difference.
Now apply this logic to our ultimate departure- death.
In life, we carry a lot of excess baggage that we leave behind. Death never announces itself. It is mostly unexpected and sudden. If we leave our affairs in order, our possessions tidied up, and a written will to make the task of our loved ones easy, they will be grateful for it.
But if we don’t tidy up as we go along in life- have too many things scattered around and die without leaving any clear instructions regarding our possessions behind, how difficult will be the task of our family after our departure.
Carrying forward from last week’s post, where Dr Tanya advised us to declutter as we go along, this action will also make our own lives easier and that of those who will be handling our affairs after we have departed.
Making a will; In my religion, Islam, a will is not necessary because Allah has declared the shares of all family members. Wife, husband, children, siblings (in case of having no spouse or children), and parents will receive a predetermined portion of the property upon the demise of a person. Some people give away their property or assets in their lifetime which makes it easier for those left behind.
But whatever your religion or way of thinking, do try to keep your affairs in order.
It is nice to leave behind a tidy room when we leave!
This post is a part of the “ Life Lessons” series hosted jointly by Sadje and Dr Tanya of Salted Caramel
#Keepitalive
#SaltedCaramel
#LifeLessons
Gentle I coaxed her to wear her warm clothes
It winter baby and you may fall sick clad only
Like the Tarzan in the jungle- only in the undies
But a stark no is her answer- Mama, she says stubbornly, “ off with the clothes”
➰➰➰
My granddaughter doesn’t likes wearing clothes, though it is getting cold these days- it our constant struggle to clothe her warmly!
Today our prompt is- Coax!
In response to; dVerse -Quadrille # 236, hosted by Lisa/ Li this week
#Keepitalive
#dVerse
1. What was the last book you read?
I think I have started many books but have finished- Reclaim Your Heart by Yasmin Mugahid. I’ve recently started Dan Brown’s latest book- Secret of secrets, only a few chapters I’ve read. Reading and writing blogs, I get little time to read books.
2. Do you think movies are better or worse than the books they are based on?
I’ve seen many movies, who are based on books. Some are good, others are so- so. The ones I really liked were Tolkien’s Lord of the rings movies. They were exceptionally well made and well cast too. But I’m an easy person to please so I even liked the Harry Potter movies!!!
3. What is the most memorable movie soundtrack or theme to you?
I love the mission impossible soundtrack. It is I think my favorite.
4. Did you enjoy the old musicals (Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Howard Keel, Doris Day etc)
I think I’ve only watched the sound of music. Otherwise, not a fan of musicals.
Finally- it’s almost winter here. I’ve put the blankets on the bed and am thinking about getting the quilts out too.
Some pictures from our visit to Islamabad last week, and of course the moon, and my little garden.
In response to; Di’s Share Your World
#Keepitalive
#SYW
These quotes about changing seasons and life circumstances struck me as very relevant today. I hope that you too benefit from these.
In response to; Linda’s One Liner Wednesday
#Keepitalive
#1LinerWeds
Respond to this Friday Faithfuls challenge by writing anything about storytelling.
➰➰➰
From my childhood, “once upon a time” was the start of a magical tale. It meant adventures were going to unfold, new characters would be introduced and I would go with the characters of the story on an adventure of a lifetime.
I inherited the love of reading from my grandfather and father. Books were an escape route to new worlds and every spare moment was dedicated to reading. By the time I had finished high school, I had read the extensive library at home and that which was in my grandfather’s home. Furthermore, we were members of the British Council library and of course that of my school and later my college.
Reading introduced me to the culture of other lands, and it also improved my language and understanding of the nuances of expression in different languages.
I was a great fan of Urdu poetry, especially that of Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, our national poet, and Mirza Ghalib. But I was also guilty of not paying attention to the spellings of the words I read. I didn’t even know the proper pronunciation of many English words because I learned to understand and recognize them by looking at them. That’s why to date I need to spell-check my writing.
I’m glad that through my blog, I am using all that I’ve learned from reading!
➰➰➰
In response to; MLMM-Friday Faithfuls, hosted by Jim
#Keepitalive
#MLMM
#FridayFaithfuls
The photographer presents us with a snowy mountain scene, featuring the treeline in the background and the white landscape in the foreground. Outside lights illuminate the small cabin, highlighting a trail that leads to it.
Please create one senryu and one haiku to accompany this image prompt. Remember that a traditional haiku describes nature or a season, while a senryu focuses on human nature and emotions.
➰➰➰
Lonely cottage stands
Buried deep in cold winter
Windows shine like eyes
***
Alone- not lonely
Cozy in my comfort I’m
Enjoying the cold
➰➰➰
In response to; SenHai # 26, hosted by Susi
#Keepitalive
#SenHai
The lights were reflecting in the high vaulted ceiling of the old building, each refracted at a different angle and it glittered like the jewels it was meant to depict.
We were visiting an ancient historical palace in our beloved city of Lahore, the palace was in a fort built by the Mogul emperor Akbar in mid 16th century, with our daughters and their children.
The guide had his cell phone in his hand and he held it over his head, the torch of the phone generating so much light as it hit and reflected from the tiny mirror fragments arranged at angles.
He told us that this place was lit by candles and oil lamps in olden times, which had the same effect as his tiny phone torch had, a magnifying of light reflected so many times, and the kings sat there and enjoyed the evening entertainment, probably ladies dancing to amuse them!
Even though we think ourselves so much advanced technologically, we haven’t created anything so marvelous in these times.
With gratitude, we saw this epic marvel of ancient architecture and the fact that it remains in good repair despite so many centuries that have passed since its construction.
➰➰➰
Written in response to; Weekly Prompts – Epic, hosted by Sue W and GC
#Keepitalive
#WeeklyPrompts
What is behind the bend in the road?
Should I just go blindly around the curve
Or slowly and cautiously- peeking ahead
Looking to see if there is danger ahead
I was quite reckless when I was younger
But now I’ve learned to be careful, cautious
It doesn’t pays to act in a hurry and then
Later repent at leisure- so be careful
➰➰➰
In response to; CCC # 60, hosted by Crispina
#Keepitalive
#CCC
My cup is full— not brimming with riches, nor spilling with praise, but steady with the quiet weight of enough. Warm hands cradle it, feeling the …
My cup is full
Only for You like the Sahara desertcaught in its swirling sandstorms,my love still thirstsfor the water of your being—for the tenderness, the warm …
Only for You
Keep it alive 
You must be logged in to post a comment.