This post is a continuation of the earlier posts (Being Grandparents & Being Grandparents – 2) as the previous posts were becoming a tad bit busy.
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Text : (Sunday 25 May 2008)
Yesterday (Saturday 24 May 2008) was an important day in the family. It was the day when we had organised an Engagement Ceremony (in the Indian and our family traditional way) for our son’s (Sunir’s) engagement to Shannon.
The Engagement ceremony was held at Mackay at Nina/Sunjay’s residence – a beautiful house right on the Ottawa River. The day was, thankfully, very bright and sunny. A day to savour for cheerfulness and greenery around. This was mercifully contrasting to the miserable week (the whole week !) we had with rain and cool/cold weather.
Note: Sunir did get engaged to Shannon a few months ago (October 2007) in the Canadian way by proposing to Shannon and Shannon accepting to marry him.
The Engagement festivities were attended by Shannon’s parents , her two sisters (Heather & Erica) and their boyfriends. Sunir’s friend John from Ottawa also attended the ceremony. They were joined in by some of our Indian friends from the Ottawa Valley (those who were here when Sunir was growing up).
Sitara was part of the ceremony. She was dressed in a beautiful dress and she sat in her “Bumbo” seat on the right side of Shannon & Sunir. Shannon’s both sisters sat on the left side of Shannon. Sitara wore the gold bangles in her both hands and together with her diamond studs in her ears – she was just magnificent and endearing – and as usual her smile (of course – mouth empty of any teeth) was just so heart winning.
Sitara kept her composure though she had cold a couple of days before the ceremony. Well, with a group of some 33 people in the house and a bit noisy and warm living room where the ceremony was held – Sitara got a bit cranky. She missed her afternoon nap also.
But she was attentive and somehow managed to participate well. She was the most important family member for this ceremony for her “mama’s (uncle’s) engagement.
Sitara enjoyed the music and dances. The ceremony was successful for “bonding” of two families along with the celebration of Sunir/Shannon engagement.
Thanks to Nina’s and Sunjay’s effort and keen observation to formalities and details, the whole celebration (along with food and refreshment ) was just flawless and went like clockwork. Everyone enjoyed the festivities. There are lots of photographs and a video clip for preserving the memories.
On Sunday (25 May 2008) – Sitara came to Deep River to her grandparents home with her parents. This was the day when we all gathered ( Sunir’s family and Shannon’s family) before Sunir and Shannon’s family members return back to their homes after the engagement ceremony. Sitara was all relaxed this day. She was playful and also smiled, crawled all over and made conversation with all of us in her baby way.
Once she returned back ( in the afternoon) to her home in Mackay we heard later (from her mom on phone) that she had sprouted a couple of lower teeth.
Wow, her first two teeth.
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On Thursday (05 June 2008) – Sitara was at her grandparents home after her FEN sessions. She was just fabulous. All hardy laughs (this is a new phenomenon) and she played with her toys which are being kept nicely arranged for her to play with when she visits grandparents. She also had her lunch and a snooze .
While she was sleeping, Sitara had a visit from Jordan , the 14-month granddaughter of our neighbour, Kathy. Jorden’s mom (Chelsea) and grandma also came as they wanted to play with Sitara too. For a while Sitara remained in sleep in her crib (in upstrairs room – previously her mamma’s (Sunir’s) room ) . After a while she was woken to come and play with Jorden. Sitara was all go go go. She was happy to see Jorden. Jorden was also very happy to see Sitara. However both initially played separately – both being shy girls – a new experience visiting each other. Jordan walks easily and is a very happy child. She was just fantastics playing with rubber balls and a plastic bracelet.
Sitara remained on the soft black sofa (with golden trim) and as usual just went (crawling) from one side of sofa to other and then standing up at the edge.
At the end just before Jordan (& her mom & grandma) were to take leave to go home, both girls exchanged handshakes (both carried by respective moms) and giggles.
It was a good visit. Mind you both Sitara and Jordan do meet each other at FEN sessions every week.
The big day for Sitara is tomorrow when she is flying to England. This is her second flying since she was born. The first visit was to Dominican Republic only a few weeks ago.
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On Friday 06 June 2008). – Grandparents visited Sitara at her home in Mackay. Well to give her mom some help in packing for England. Sitara was sleeping when they arrived. However, after a while Sitara woke up (may be due to noise and from talks) and she just as usual was in happy mood and was glad to see her grandparents. She played with them till noon – all hardy laughs , crawling all over, also sittng on her newly acquired pink sponge chair and playing with her pink teddy bear. Oh! she would not be sitting quietly – just go go go. She was talkative in her baby ways – most of it recorded by her grandpa. She was given food (lunch) at noon and after that she was sleepy. By that time her mom was ready for travel to Deep River and bring her luggage etc to Deep River and then join her dad who was taking them to Ottawa airport. Sitara just fell asleep once in her grandpa’s car (in which all came to Deep River).
This is momentous time for Sitara. She will present herself to many of her family uncles, aunts, cousins of all ages (from babies to teenagers) from both sides of her parents. She will definitely cherish this visit forever when she grows up to understand and recognise all those whom she would meet first time.
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On Saturday (07 June 2008). – Sitara arrived in London after a safe journey by Air Canada. We talked to Mayur, Mohanlal , Mina & Jinit apart from Nina. Nina said that Sitara is adjusting well to new surroundings and she is quite friendly to Bhavni & Mina. I am sure she is winning hearts of all of her mom’s (Nina’s) cousins and family from Nina’s mother’s side.
Afternoon Sitara joined her mom and Mohanlal family to go for lunch at Sanjiv/Palu’s home. We got call in the evening (Canada time) from Nina’s Manumammi and she was all excited to play with Sitara. She said that Sitara also met Saina & Minal (Nina’s mom’s nieces) and got on well with both Aunties apart from playing and taking well with Palu (Sanjiv’s wife) and Sakhi (pre-teen daughter of Sanjiv/Palu). Sakhi just adored her and played with Sitara all the time. Sitara just charmed Manumammi – she was like her grandma and gave her all kinds of kisses and smiles.
Sitara also got a visit to Wembley (the famous Indian shoping area in London) with her mom and her Auntie (Saina) and had a taste of Bajias (the famous Maru’s Bhajias).
Tomorrow Sitara is meeting her uncles, aunties and cousins (her maternal grandpa’s side of relatives) at a picnic in a park. That would be nice experience for a picnic and show herself to her relatives from her grandpa’s side.
On Sunday (08 June 2008).
I understand that Sitara accompanied her mom to a picnic at St Albans where she was coddled by all her uncles, aunts and cousins. Kanti/Kanchabhabhi & Kumudbhabhi were also there- who povided grandparental attention. Ranjan/Mahendra & Daxa/Dipek also provided similar attention.
Most of Pravin’s nephews & nieces (nina’s cousins ) were there who loved & coddled Sitara . young ones like Ruhi (& her baby sister) , Ruan, & Syan were there -all playful and Sitara did have handful of fun.
Her British vacation is to meet with all her cousins , uncles and aunts.
Pravin Shah