Left Philly….Back in New York with My Parents

This morning we had a brunch in Pennsylvania with a lot of my family to celebrate my Grandfather’s 90th birthday. He is an amazing person full of joy, smiles and happiness. He lives so simply and is always there for us. He is 90 years old and still working away. He does construction work for fun. Renovating and beautifying houses and then selling them. It’s pretty cool seeing someone his age full of energy. It’s inspiring.

During the brunch he came up to me and said that he wanted to share his secret to happiness. He said that it was nice seeing my bright joyful smile and not some fake one (My grand father is never short of a smile, so it must run in the family!). He said that always smiling and giving that joy is what keeps him going. Not letting the negative or hard things get a hold in him (just letting it go).

It was really nice seeing the family, and I know it meant a lot for us to be there with them. When you get older I’m sure having your family near you means a lot. Nowadays most families live so far apart and do not interact very much. I’m sure it can be lonely when you are older.

Well… we drove for about 3 hours and am now back in Brooklyn, New York where my parents live. We’ll be here for a couple days just relaxing and then back to New Mexico Tuesday night. I wasn’t feeling very good today and yesterday so will be taking it easy. Better get to sleep so I can get some rest.

6 Responses to “Left Philly….Back in New York with My Parents”

1. Mark says:

   July 10, 2005 at 11:57 pm

   I had pancakes for breakfast this morning.

2. GURMIT K AUR says:

   July 11, 2005 at 1:35 am

   I had pranthas filled with methi and mooli and dipped in home made yogurt. can u beat that!

3. uk singh says:

   July 11, 2005 at 5:29 am

   whats it like for your parents in new york as visible sikhs post 911

   here in uk post tube attacks i hear a sikh bus driver got beaten up in denmark

4. hk bedi says:

   July 11, 2005 at 8:46 am

   GUrmit Kaur ji..nothing can beat punjabi Pranthas that too with yummm yumm homemade yogurt and white butter on it.Can you pls make some for me.since i come in here i miss my Mom make pranthas or teach me how to.

5. GURMIT K AUR says:

   July 11, 2005 at 10:37 am

   When you were writing about your gdad’s smile it made me think about this blurb which i’ll share with you.

   A Smile

   A smile costs nothing but gives much.It encircles those who recieve it, without making poorer those who give it. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it lasts for ever.
   None is so rich and mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it.
   It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and it is natures best antidote for trouble.Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is something that is of no value till it is given away.
   some people are too tired to give you a smile.Give them one of yours as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.

   Anon

6. Mark says:

   July 13, 2005 at 11:34 pm

   Pancakes #1! With maple seerup.