Last night, the celebrations continued back in Goa even as I settled back into the office-school routine with the kids in Gurgaon. There was a big party in honor of Ramukaka, who turns 75 next month. He shares a birthday with my dad, August 31st, and that makes him more special than he already is! The party was held a month in advance thanks to all the VIPs from all over the worlds being in town for Arnav’s big day.

Anyway, a few weeks before leaving for Goa, I was racking my brains for a gift idea. What could I possibly give someone who had no great fascination for things material and who pretty much has what he really needs and uses? I decided I would do something with an emotional twist. A gift of love, playing on nostalgia is what would be suitable, I thought.

This is what I came up with.

1- I found an old box that once held Makaibari green tea

2- I painted it in bright acrylic colors and here, Udai was my willing assistant

3- I culled through photo albums for pics that would bring a smile, a tear…tug at the heart

4- I enhanced these and got them printed

5- Then I created, using waste material from old wedding cards, square coaster-style cardboard squares, using the pictures and also painting on messages, phrases…strung together in a sort of poetic style

It read something like this:

You have given us so much

unconditional love

blessings

happy times together

laughter

inspiration

strength in times of need

support

a home in your heart

you are wonderful

we are blessed

Thank you!

6- I got the squares laminated

7- With a needle and nylon thread, I stitched them all together and used a beautiful string of pearls from someone’s super fancy wedding invite to tie it in together, as a finishing touch!

Here’s what it looks like. Needless to say, Ramukaka loved it. It now sits on his computer table. I hope they look at it again and again and are reminded of our love and respect.