bliss

today was the most satisfying day i have experienced in a very long time. today marked the 7th death anniversary of my dad, and instead of the sadness usually (and always) prevalent on this date, i felt joy, i felt good, because instead of performing the routine nonsensical pooja calling them monotonous verse-chanting pandits home, create a brick stove in the middle of the house and burn cowdung, and fuel it with ghee, and accomplishing nothing but holes burnt through the pocket and itcy watery eyes, i instead decided to head to monginis, purchase 300 muffins and distribute it among the orphans at the mankhurd children's home.
watching their peering inquisitive eyes as i entered the gate in the car, some were engaged in cricket, others in simple tomfoolery, making faces, playing catch-n-cook, etc.. the pure unadulterated joy blatant in their eyes.

as i entered, i felt like an alien, invading their space.. after the matron managed to make them assemble into single file, my sister n i began distributing the muffins in exchange for meek "thank you"s and the occasional "thank you uncle"!.. seeing their (mostly)-toothy smiles and glee, others were too shy, receiving the muffin, thanking the ground and scooting away.
i haven't felt this satisfied, such a fulfilling experience, in quite a while.. and i remembered my dad and knew that he'd prefer the smiles on the faces of these innocent kids than the traditional inconsequential, nonsensical poojas that only appeases the pandits.. another victory of the human spirit against religion.

today, i can say.. i am happy.. and mean it.