The NaBloPoMo June 2012 prompt for the day asks ‘What is something you jumped into recently?‘ I think of something to write about and then ask José to suggest something too. He comes up with exactly what I was thinking of – my recent experience of jumping back into the past.
I had the opportunity re-visit the past last month when we joined my family on a holiday to Wellington in the Niligiris mountains of South India. Thirty eight years ago our family – my Dad, Mum, two brothers and I had lived there for six months and they were a beautiful memory for me. Dad was in the Army and was posted there in 1974 and we went along. The rest of the family have re-visited in the last few years, but I haven’t been since June 1974. This time we were accompanied by my sister-in-law, niece, nephew and José. Dad keeps his Army contacts and we had a fantastic trip with visits to the establishment he commanded. Sheer nostalgia. I would have loved to have visited the house we stayed in too, but that would have meant imposing on the present occupants and we didn’t want to do that.
While it certainly is a beautiful place to re-visit, much of the charm for me was the memories of one of the happiest times in my life – a Dad who had just come back from the war, the whole family together, the sheer beauty of Nature, the pomp and splendor of the Army, road trips, fishing trips – it was a sheer delight for an eight year old girl.
Re-visiting with my family made it all the more special: “Do you remember this?” “Where is that?” “I don’t remember this from back then.” “How things have changed.” “How beautiful it all remains.”
Jumping back into the past resulted in another set of memories being made. I felt grateful for my family, for the shared memories, for everything we’ve enjoyed and continue to enjoy together.
What have you jumped into recently that brought you joy?
May you be inspired – every day!
Ahh…brings back old memories for me too!
Wellington is wonderful and so are my first memories when my dad was posted there too – ages back. I started my schooling there and have clear memories of sitting on the steps of my school- having my tiffin, when an eagle just came down and took off with my sandwich! Something that I can never forget!
But yes, we went there a few years back again just to visit the same school and the house we lived – something that I always love doing, especially taking my kids back there. :)Thanks for sharing and bringing back good old memories. 🙂
@Harleena Singh Was Dad in Staff College there, Harleena? It’s amazing what memories we have of each place despite being moved around so much. I’m wondering which school you studied in? You must make a visit back there sometime.
PS: Sorry it took me so long to respond. I do appreciate your lovely comment – I’ve been travelling again and trying to play catch up as well.
@CorinneRodrigues – Yes, he was there 🙂 I would need to ask him regarding the school, memory isn’t all that good now. And I do want to take my kids and show them those same old places some one. :)Not a problem. I too have just landed from my dads place, summertime vacation. 🙂
@Harleena Singh Dad was commanding the Madras Regimental Centre. Unfortunately, we stayed only for six months before he got posted out. I studied at Holy Innocents and my brothers studied at St Joseph’s.
Have a wonderful holiday, Harleena. My regards to your Dad. Passing through Mumbai? I’m wishing! 🙂
@CorinneRodrigues I would have to get back to my dad and ask him all the details I guess :)No, we came via Delhi and have just reached back home today, after spending Father’s Day – in advance with him. 🙂
@Harleena Singh Oh sorry I misread your earlier comment and thought you had just landed in India. Your Dad must have been so happy to have you all. Take care ♥
wow read something on the similar lines…
http://xs2rahulz.blogspot.in/2012/05/oops-i-got-tanned.html
@xs2rahulz I’m sorry I haven’t got down to reading your post yet. I hope to make amends soon. Hope you’ve been well.
@CorinneRodrigues its allright
Wonderful you finally got to go back and have a look around!
Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
@Tweetsmom Yes, I’m wondering why I took so long to do that, Kathy.
It’s nice to go back in time like that. When I went back to my old neighborhood a few years ago, things looked so different from the way I remembered. The house I thought was so big, now seemed small. I forgot some of the streets etc. But it was a good experience.
Glad you enjoyed your voyage to the past.
So glad that you had the opportunity to make this wonderful trip and make more beautiful memories with your family Corinne. Thanks for posting the lovely photographs also, they give an idea of the beautiful ambience there.
@Elizabeth Young Yes, it was a wonderful opportunity. The place was a summer resort for many Britishers – I’m sure it reminded them of the weather back home. I hope you noticed the tea tray – so fitted in with the ambience!
I jumped into horseback riding! I rode when I was a girl, but I haven’t in decades. I took my son to a riding lesson recently and on a whim asked the teacher if I could ride, too. So much fun to be back on a horse. I love being around them.
@galenpearl You never cease to amaze me with all you do. I would love to see a picture of you on a horse 🙂
I would have to say that it would be writing. I used to write pages and pages in my journals and notebooks – observations of Nature’s beauty, “talks” with myself, first attempts at poetry, my thoughts, dreams and wishes. I stopped that when I went back to graduate school a few years ago. I just didn’t have the time and energy to do it. I gradually felt some part of me dying. I lost touch with my inner-self. Then the babies came and although I hungered for the writing I still couldn’t do it. When I started keeping baby book stories, that’s when I felt the desire to write come alive again. It turns out that the embers were still warm. I’m slowly fanning it back to life through blogging. The act of putting a part of myself on paper (well to be correct, now I use both paper and the electronic forms) brings me joy.
I am glad I listened to the Voice telling me to jump back in.
Loved your post!
Warmest regards,
@Mary
@roxasmh I’m so glad that you decided to fan the embers again, Mary. I’m sure in time you’ll write a lot more and get back to your first love.
It’s always nice to go back to the place where we lived our childhood. The memories can be bad or nice, but always worth remembering 🙂
@nikky44 That’s very true.
Every time I go to Bangalore I feel the same, cos it is changing constantly.
@Janaki Nagaraj Bangalore sadly seems to always change for the worse.
Oh, how wonderful to be able to share such lovely memories with your family, Corinne! I guess what I’ve jumped into recently is seriously editing the novel in preparation for future publication.
Blessings to you!
@marthaorlando It was truly a special time. I’m sending lots of love and prayer your way for your project which I know will be a blessing to many.
I’m jumping into my first love ~ drawing. My heart has been a bit passive lately. I want to feel that ‘rush’ of blood again 😉 My intimate friends know that I feel alive when I draw 🙂 I love what you shared BS. You’re blest to have been filled with such good memories of your family 🙂
@MelissaTandoc I’m looking forward to lots of beautiful images coming from you, Melissa. You’re so talented. Yes, I know I am truly blessed.
Nice to hear corinne, reliving memories are beautiful moment of life, I had a good time when i took my daughter and my niece to the museum, I had visited so many times with my mother, cousins and also with groups, I felt very happy !
@G Angela I saw the lovely photographs, Janet and am so glad the three of you had a good time. I’m not sure about you, but the older I get the more vivid childhood memories seem to become.
sounds so wonderful… you are blessed with such fond memories! I can relate “jumping back into the past”, me too! I’m finally finding myself on the healing side… lots of work to do, but I’m feeling encouraged to keep pushing my way through the past. Recently, I’ve felt more apart of the here and now, more so than ever before… the present isn’t such a bad place to be!
Fabulous pictures, by the way!
I’m not sure if I posted correctly; I think I posted as a guest… hmm
Yes you, did! 🙂
Thank you, Amy. I have been doing ‘past-work’ for some years now and a lot of issues have been sorted out. But just when you think it’s over something comes and bites you from behind! However, like you say there’s nothing like the present, is there? 🙂
It looks so beautiful! I cam from a military family, too, and it’s always fun and kind of strange to go back to places we’ve lived.
femmefrugality so we have a ‘military background’ in common! Always a pleasure to re-visit, isn’t it?
Did the same thing while on vacation in Goa…while visiting the family house and the beaches on which i have spent many a summer.
Thanks, Divi. Sadly I never went to Goa in my childhood but I can see how that could happen. When did you last visit?
Have done all my summers till the 12th in Goa this time was after 4 years…my little Damita will remember it only this time…will post the pics sooon….It really is so special to jump back as you put it and also share it with the special people in your life who are there only now…
What a beautiful re-visitation to your past, Corinne! And thank you for the “tour” 🙂
I am currently at a point where I am contemplating whether I’ll jump into this opportunity knocking at my door (I just wrote about it on my blog). But I haven’t made a decision yet. Your post is very timely… it had me thinking about that opportunity once again.
Take care and God bless, Corinne <3 🙂
@Irene9583 Thank you for your comment. Co-incidentally I read your post today. I’m hoping that you have since made a decision and are moving towards what’s best for you, Irene. ♥
Wow, Divina. When you talk of Goa I remember the lovely sweets your aunts brought/made for Damie’s engagement. My first taste of real Goan sweets. We had quite a few at our wedding too. Would love to see your pictures. Yes, it is special to have people to share with and make new memories!