A bird upon the wing today,
took flight to distant skies.
Said not a word, Oh lovely bird.
But silently she flew.

Past clouds, and memories,
free to Be.

Hearing a song
sung just for her,
that cheerful welcoming tune.
The only one he could warble.
The one just for her.

A bird upon the wing today
took flight to distant skies...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Rahul,
Blessings to you, and sharing your love and memories of your grandmother.
United forever with your grandfather.
Now.
What Joy!

with love,
Kate

Grandmothers, ah! Across the world, they evoke nothing but love. Their frailty, delicateness and the way they're usually doing nothing but spreading love just fills one's heart with love. Is it age that makes them so? That they lose everything else and become pure love. Children are like that too.

Anyway, enjoyed reading.. Take care.

It's always tough to reconcile with the passing away of a loved one but then each one of us have to devise our own little way to deal with it, as you have.
It's only apt that you have chosen to store it as a happy memory, focussing on the travel of the soul into happier territories beyond.
Thanks anyways for sharing such a personal incident of your life.

The memories of childhood!

If you are fortunate enough to have loving, caring and gentle parents, it will manifest itself in your own, personal life many times over.

Peace!

Rahul - Sounds like your grandmother had a great life, and an equally great death. Hang in there. I lost my grandma in the early 80's. At first it didn't make too much of an impact on me. But in the last 5 years or so, I find myself thinking of my grandma a lot, appreciating more and more how remarkable a woman whe was. I'm so curious about her world now and wish I had spent more time finding out about her life instead of just wanting to hear stories.

Dear Rahul,

It is indeed an irreparable loss to lose one's grandmother. One has to often deal with innumerable memories (with both, pain and fondness in the heart)of her showering her love on her grandchildren, cooking special delicacies for them, and above all, BEING there for them. The memories constantly remind us of what we had (that we remember with fondness) and what we've now lost...forever(that causes deep pain).

But I am glad to see you celebrating her well-lived life and respecting her peaceful transition to another life...of togetherness with her dear husband. Afterall, that's what true, eternal love is all about, isn't it?

May your grandparents' souls rest in peace, tranquility and love!
Amen.

Shilpa

"In my mind’s eye I see them as two beams of white light racing towards each other against the deep indigo backdrop of the universe, barely able to contain the joy of reuniting after a decade. And then intertwining and spinning in a cosmic dance before disappearing into the distance together."

As Mallika said, that really is a beautiful image. All of my grandparents passed on years ago and I still miss them terribly.

My condolences to you and your family.

Love, Sheba

My grandmother passed away on a Friday, 13th of September, back in the year 1991 (superstitious people regarded that year as a spooky one because it could also be read back front). To me, it is just a number easy to remember and difficult to forget.

She was born and grew up near Izmir in Asia Minor, a homeland she had to abandon forever in 1922, when thousands of Greek families were driven away violently by the Turkish military. Unscathed but with no property at all she and her 5 siblings were bound to a refugee´s fate for many years in the Northern parts of Greece. She went through very hard times, whenever she thought she had finally found a home the winds of war blasted away all hopes (Balkan wars, I and II World War). She got married very young to a doctor who adored her, gave birth to five kids but she lost two of them due to hardship or illnesses and, some years later, her husband - as if destiny wanted to remind her that long-lasting joy was something she had no right upon.

I had a tender, very special relationship to her. She used to spend every weekend at our place, cook traditional dishes of Constantinopolis (now Istanbul) full of spices and fill the kitchen with the scent of coriander and cinnamon. She did smile easily but that changed when I ran to her for a hug or when she took to revealing stories of the past, well-kept secrets coated in oriental colors. I remember sitting next to her fascinated by her long life, full of miracles, strong emotions and separations. God put her to test so many times but she held on, I would have be squeezed under the burden ...

I was preparing myself for the university studies when she left her last breath. I remember how guilt invaded my heart, guilt for not having spent more time with her, so many things had been left unsaid ... I sat down that Friday of the year 1991 and wrote her a long letter which I put secretely in her hand the morning I saw her empty body for the last time.

The memory of her face, her wrinkles, details of her expressions have faded a lot since then. I see her in my dreams very rarely and I am not quite sure if this is her spirit visiting me or just electrodes in my head going crazy.

But whenever I do something I know she would have been proud of I can see her smiling at me from her corner. And I am grateful to be alive, for as long as I walk this earth I can carry her along with me and show her the world through my eyes - it is finally me telling her my own story.

Chryssoula

correction, I missed a word: "She did NOT smile easily"

Rahul,

I also missed to express my condolences; I feel with you and share your joy, equally.

Beautiful story.

I loved your description of their souls meeting. My mother was not fortunate to be able to spend her life with her soul mate - but I know they are together now.

I'm very sure your grandparents are together once again.
****
I have read everyone of your posts, Rahul. I look forward to them. I'm sure I speak for many of your fans when I say, perhaps Rahul, the writer should publish outside the blog world.

What do you all think?

Dear Rahul,
When I went to enter your blog in my favorites I saw you had written either before or after dinner
yesterday.
I loved your piece. She, you, it all are very beautiful.

I was close to my paternal grandparents, who have passed away. I see them as being part of my GAG (Guardian Angel Group) and looking down at me with their ever loving eyes.

What would children do without their grandparents?:)

Rahul, I am sorry for you. I am happy for your grandmother. That is a beautiful eulogy to a very special lady.I do believe we should celebrate death as it means meeting all our loved ones on the other side, and of course going home.May God bless you.Geeta.

"it’s a rare gift to be able to celebrate a soul so blessed."

...joining you in prayer and celebration.

Thank you for sharing Rahul, may you and your family be comforted in peace.

Om shanti shanti shanti,

Cinda

Rahul,

May your grandmum's soul always rest in peace!
and may you always cherish her sweet memories..

Shrutii.

Rahul,
I really look forward for your blog over here coz i feel a sense of familarity in your write ups. The Angel image of my grand mom ran through my eyes when i read about your grand ma, I just say,
Whatever happens, never forget how amazing your grand Mom was!Just remebering her Great persona, will surely have soothing effect On you,

Majeed Mirza

grandmothers are pure love.

they're soft and cuddly and hugable.

i love how honest u are.

u're actually right when u say that its a time of joy and sorrow together because for her it was a time of reunion n for u ppl it was sad coz she was and will be a part of your life forever.i have seen her picture once and i clearly remember her face. she was all glowing and happy even at this age.she was cute.we'll pray for her n may her soul rest in peace.

Hi Rahul
I saw you on a TV show last evening in Toronto, Canada and you mentioned about this website you writing for and here I log in to read your 1st article on your loss.
Only thing I can say is inspite of your loss you sound positive in life.Kudos to you for that.
I infact made a remark yesterday, is it that bad to lose a person? I lost a close friend back in India recently and I watched helplessly from here.It was heart wrenching but positive thing is I remember that friend always with a smile cos he was such a witty and loving person
I hope you also will remember your granny with same affection and smile on your lips

Hi Rahul,
Just wanted to say sorry about your grandmother. she is in a happier place and that makes all the difference. I identified with your tears of happiness and sorrow. i lost both my maternal grandparents within a few short months of each other and yet i was sad and happy at the same time. Say a prayer in your heart whenever you think of her and you'll feel quite peaceful.

Years ago in Delhi they attended a wedding and that was the last night my grandparents were together. We got a call in the middle of the night with the news of my grandfather’s demise, his heart had gone into failure and he passed away in the state of semi-consciousness. He died very gracefully and his time had come. That day a part of my grandmother died and she lost the will to fight, 11 months later she followed him. Her life was devoted to him. With his passing she felt her purpose to be on earth had been fulfilled, but I always felt that if she’d fought back she would have been amongst us longer. I was still a child and very judgmental, now more aware and with the understanding of how much a couple can mean too each other I’ve stop judging my grandmother and I remember her for the incredible woman she was and the love she gave so freely.

isha

Dear Rahul:

Every so often, I enter this site with the anticipation of a new blog from you. Each prior blog has enticed my intellect in an amorphous, yet vivid, manner. I have silently browsed through your fan mail, never quite collecting enough courage to translate my inner gratitude into rhetoric.

This recent blog, however, overshadowed all my uncertainties of inadequately responding to your eloquent writing style. It compelled me to crawl out into your blogosphere. I am profoundly sorry for your loss. With the passing of each grandparent, I have tried desperately to establish collateral means of reinforcing my identity. You have rendered this effort futile. Often we pray for the prolongation of another's life for the satisfaction of our own selfish needs -- be it to touch this person, or laugh with her or be defined by her. Needless to say, I was extremely impressed by how you were able to transcend your personal sorrow and channel in the ecstasy of your grandparents' union. My favorite image was that of the two white beams dancing; I actually could imagine two small white fairies engaged in an elegant waltz. You captured the purity of life in the horror and confusion of death. And isn't this continuation of our being exactly what makes the relationship with our grandparents, and consequently our existence, eternal?

I sincerely wish that your grandparents continue their journey of love in the cosmos that they now bless....

Affectionately,
Madhu

What are the requirements to contribute to this site?

Thanks

Rahul:

I'm sorry. But I'm glad she's led a fulfilling life here on earth, and is now reunited with your grandfather.

All the best,
Simika

Hi Rahul;
Sorry to hear about ur grandma.I know what it is like 2 loose a grandma ,coz i`ve already lost one. My prayers r for her. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Shama.

Rahul: I feel like your fabulous sense of humor will cause you to hear the chuckles of those reunited soulmates you've so richly honored with this one.

Thank you for this one Rahul--it is my "one" grandmother that is my mother's adoptive parent that I miss so much--more than any other I've known in this life--even to this day!

She went 11 years after my grandad--who sent her a two-carat diamond ring he "won" gambling in Boston--on his way to WWI, in 1917!

They past their 50th anniversary together--but I think it was never quite real to my grandmother, that any force of man or God, could have actually caused my grandad to "die," and she got tired of waiting for him to "rematerialize" and decided it was time to go and find him in this universal game of hide-and-seek! Dave

Thank you all... :-)

Dear Rahul,

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story. The way you describe the vision of your grandmother reuniting with your grandfather is so awesome.

Love,
Sharon

sorry about ur grandmother's passing. it's tough to lose a loved one, but time heals all wounds and aches (my mom's saying).

p.s. i should have wrote this, but i'm usually "uncomfortable" with the issue of death. i lost my grandmother over a decade ago. she was considered the matriarch of the family (14 children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren), and was the symbol of spiritual strength. she had been sick for a long time, and even today, i'm still joyous that she is enjoying a new life in heaven. the way u wrote about ur grandparents' reunion was very, very beautiful. my condolences to u and ur family.

with love,
jenna

this reminds me of the time when my grandfather passed away... i remeber complaining that he should have lived 5 more years for me! (how selfish!) but that is really what i felt. I felt lucky to be associated with him. He was a man of few words,always kept a very low profile and the most amazing person i have ever met. My grandmother is drastically different from him. I always wondered about their compatibility. I dont think they did! I think we have diluted ourselves to a great extent over a period of time...even though we do the excat same things that our ancestors have done really....when they got married they exchanged pieces of information on papers called horoscope and now we exchange information verbally/physically and scrutinize each other.....it makes me wonder if i will ever be blessed!

Rahul,

It's funny how we think about people when they are no longer with us. As a child, my mom would never allow me to go to funerals (I'm glad she did this) as I find it very difficult to sit through them. It's something about the moment, knowing you will never interact with that person again...Especially when you've loved them.
That's it...there gone.

My thought though, is that death is like birth. One doesn't recall being born, but poof they arrive! When that same person dies, I feel that- they just go. As you said...your grandma went peacefully. I believe that at the actual moment of passing, one doesn't have the awareness. It's not like, o.k..Iam going soon, and now Iam gone. No, its a passing (quick and soft) that shows us that we are always alive. Our soul is constant. You are right, blessed is a great way to view the life of a loved one
peace.

hi again,
very recently i came to know that my mother has cancer n in its last stage.its growth is so fast that it has reached the last one.i go visit her daily ,i am seeing her dying but m so helpless that i can't do anything....a very difficult phase but i know i;ve to b strong,i know she'll not survive and m all prepared to face everything in advance.life does change but it doesn;t stop...so keep going...wen r u cming back to india????????

Rahul,

Many have expressed their condolences and I will add my voice to this chorus of strangers. Your post gave me pause, but not only because of the beautiful way in which you write of the passing of your grandmother. It is rather because of the sense of kinship I felt, as others seem to have, from a shared life experience. Despite our different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Despite the divide between public figures and "ordinary" citizens. When it comes to family, love, life, and death we are linked.

Thank you for sharing this very personal experience. Take care.

Hi Rahul,
You are totally lost. I hope you are okay and please come back. I would love to chat some more with you or alternatively email me @ shinashivji@gmail.com and next time you are in Toronto, gimme a shout.
Love,
Shina

Hey Rahul can u teach some of ur etiquettes to another Rahul(Bose) , he to drop a word of thanks for his admirers.

Admirer

Why did you make a blog entry of something so personal as the passing away of your grand mother? But as I ask this question I already know the answer. I think this was the start of a healing process, one word for every memory until finally you attain that which at this point seems elusive, Closure.

Grandparents are our first inspirations.. Telling us about all the good things in the fairy land..I lost mine when I was 14 ..still love her jus the way I did ...Im sure U will too...

hey,
where r u........no new entries.i don;t know bout others but add a spice to life.long time no blogging.can i suggest u smthing.......why don;t u blog on ur interesting exprience of ppl u meet as u travel a lot,or ur childhood.like ur mischivious acts,

Hi Rahul,

It's strange how I thought of you today as a classmate in st.xaviers college & then chanced upon this site....& somewhere connected with the way you described the passing away of your grandmother as a moment of joy as well as sorrow.When my grandmother passed away I too felt the same,sad that she would no longer be with us but happy that she could finally be with her husband who she lost in her prime.

Cherish the moments when you love & our loved as they are the most precious moments of our lives.........

Hi Rahul,

It's strange how I thought of you today as a classmate in st.xaviers college & then chanced upon this site....& somewhere connected with the way you described the passing away of your grandmother as a moment of joy as well as sorrow.When my grandmother passed away I too felt the same,sad that she would no longer be with us but happy that she could finally be with her husband who she lost in her prime.

Cherish the moments when you love & our loved as they are the most precious moments of our lives.........
neelu542@hotmail.com

Strange that I should read this at this point in time. My grandmother is 76 and losing health rapidly. I know it's just a matter of time before she passes away. She has always showered us grandkids with unconditional love, yet instils in us, discipline. The thought of losing her has been haunting me for a while now and I hide it under layers of bravado.

Rahul, your posting helped me accept the inevitability of losing her. Although I can't do much about her failing health, I'll be sure to speak to or meet her more often.

Rahul, after a long search I finally found a place to chat and share opinion with you....but unfortunately, the 1st news i've got is about your grandmother's demise. Sorry to hear that...and glad to know she's back with her soulmate.

I wonder how much my father must be missing my mother since he passed away last August.....

You won't believe how happy I am to get in touch with you....have been dying to get your e-mail add.

well.. finally, I've reached here...hope to meet you in person(just once)someday.

hi rahul,
grandparents are always priceless treasure chests of memories....but none last forever..btw , ur mom was a colleague of mine at CRY ...a wonderful persona..have lost touch..say hi to her from me..
take care...

Grandparents are always the ones you think it's normal that they are there. But when they're gone, you suddenly know how much they ment for you and how special they were.
Rahul, take care.

I really enjoy your blogs and its been a long time since your last post. Admitted you lead a busy life.. well, what I want to know is when are you going to resume writing on Intent? :-)

Hi Rahul...I've not read a better description of passing on into the great cosmos....Could actually visualize what u wrote about the white light....my grandparents passed away many years ago....miss them even today, but ur post brought a kinda closure to that incident & its effect on me.....I feel at peace with my world now.....Thank u v much! :)

That's a very beautiful text, it made me feel better to read it so thank you.

hey.......where have you eloped?????????
oct.22 and its 28 dec......
i guess you have good plans to celebrate your new year in new york or u know where....but have pity on us......THE READERS. plz........
its so disappointing that we ppl check every single day but no new blog or response from your side.
its very rude to say but its true that we read a very few blogs of our interest....hope you understand.
any ways....have a great new year and plzzzzzzzzz do blog soonnnnnnnnnn.
lots of love and best wishes.
we really want to know bout ur new year resolution.

I came across "Blessed" a couple of months ago, and since then I have been repeatedly reading it to find the same courage in myself, to deal with situations like this, that you have talked about. Though, a regular reader, I have always shied away from posting a comment... Here I am making an exception.
I was 18, when a close family member expired... I am 23 now... I have gone through 5 Long years of fear, pain, and search... search for peace and solace. There has never been a single moment in my life, that I have not thought about what I lost in life and what I might lose in future. A constant fear of losing my near and dear ones has engulfed me.
I try not to think about it, but everytime I close my eyes, my deepest fears are slammed hard onto my face.
Here comes night again... Darkness all around... and while I type all this, I am left wondering... Why is this Night so Lonely

I have an important message for you, call me @303-332-8103

Keep knocking, and the joy inside
will eventually open a window
and look to see who's there.
-Rumi

Rahul,
I have just recently stumbled upon your blogs, and I have become an instant fan!! I think you are a great writer and I love reading what you have to say. Please keep "blogging". I think that you should write a book!
-take care,
neeti

Hi Rahul,
I have just begun to read your blogs. I think that you are a great writer and that you are very witty!! I look forward to reading more of your blogs. You should consider writing a book about...something! I think YOU could write about ANYTHING and it would be entertaining!!

take care,
Neeti

Hi Rahul,
This is the best tribute you could pay to your Grandma.
No, I'm not talking about you posting an article on her death.
I'm talking about the meaning that you have associated with it- the true purpose of her death. This very belief makes us use the term "soulmates".
By the way, do visit my blog:
mustread.blogsource.com
Convey my regards to Akshay.I adore him a lot
Love,
Om

hi,
i guess u no more love ur readers....tht's why u don;t reply and u haven't blogged for such a long time....please get new business cards made for ur self with rahul khanna....night out and day out regular written on it....u r in bombay these days and we know it...
u must b busy with some thing...i guesss
all the best for what ever u'r doing..
take care
love
sonam

Hey!

I hope your doing ok .Just wondering why there are no updates :S Come on ...we wait for the return of the Jedi :)

hi,
have a nice time abroad..................

I lost my maternal grandmother about 2 years ago. I was never as close to her as I would have liked to have been-she was intensely private. She had been sick for a long while before her passing away. The thing that makes me most sad about that time in my life is I have never in my entire life seen my mother so overcome with emotion. I'd never seen my mom cry. That touched me then and it still touches me when I think about it.

hi, b'day boy....a very happy b'day to u...god bless u and may u achieve what ever u wish for...m sending u this poem and i hope u'll like it and even if u don't then also its ok..
well i 've written it after all t he info. i cud gather from the net and reading what ever i cud bout u..i don't know how far its true but forgive me if u don't like any thing..plzzzzzzzz.

Here it goes:

SPEECHLESS!!!!
a handsome hunk with a front tooth chipped
a product of xaviers who never cribs.

techo sav vy, animal lover has a close group of
frnds and
newyork is the place where his destination ends

intelligent and witty but look at akshoo and u'l
feel pity(sorry no offences)

a gifted cartoonist with a dazzling smile
can leave u mesmerised 4 a while
a sushi freak but not a geek.

rich and strong like coffee beans
whose pic can make ur eyes gleam.
always spotted wearing a red and i
wanders whether other colours r dead.

a wine lover but a fitness freak,
keeps shuttling between bombay and NY streets.
genuine,vulnerable,subtle and sweet,
meeting u one day will definitely b a treat.

dynamic and dashing-a kiahl user
but don't u dare call him a boozer.

a true gemini yet single
double faced not ready to mingle.

all brawns and lots of brains
for his image he's not to b blamed.

a party animal but not a brat
no defection and that is d attraction.

picasso,madonna & louis armstrong
great choice and a taste so strong.

an ideal and a star miles away
but his charisma will for ever lay.

well i jus hope u like it....any ways wish u again a great b'day and a great day ahead...
with lots of good wishes and love
sonam

Dear Rahul, I revive this thread, to wish you the best of Birthday's today!! I chose this blog, because of the loving tribute to your beloved grandmother; to me, it is one of your most "blessed" of articles.

Much love to you Rahul, and may this year find you always well, always with love.

A Birthday Card I made for you, from all of us here, at Intentblog; from around the world, HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!(((Hug, pat pat)))

http://xs102.xs.to/xs102/06252/r.khanna.bday2.jpg

Love, North

sweet and touching
brought a smile to my lips :)