No money can buy...

The news of the death of an acquaintance in a paragliding accident in Bulgaria recently triggered so many thoughts. Given the risky nature of his choice of sport, he had been in several accidents, the last of which, had immobilized him completely for nine months. His family had begged him to hang up his gliding sails that last time but he didn’t pay any heed. It seemed implausible that the wellbeing of his two young children never crossed his mind. Were his priorities so misplaced that wisdom couldn’t prevail? Was it incurable deep-rooted angst that led to the self-destruction? Was there really a line between risk-taking and inflicting self-harm? 

My head was already buzzing with all these contemplations when a friend phoned. She’d visited his family and while they deeply grieved his departure from their lives forever more, there was also a feeling of overwhelming gratitude for his provision for all of them even after his demise, she said. 

This must indicate that he had weighed the consequences of pursuing his passion after all. Was this what they called intelligent risk-taking? But did this calculation really soften the blow? Maybe, I'm so gauche that I still can't see any upside or gains like the risk pundits advise. While his family might never have to worry about mundane things  such as finance, his absence from their lives is such an irreparable loss that no money in the world can assuage.

Cold Nose, Warm Heart!

Somebody abandoned this tiny bundle of chocolate fur outside my gate, one day in March eight years ago.  I looked down at what seemed like a miniature bear with these incredibly amazing grey eyes, and melted instantly. I picked her up and while she didn’t mind at first, she began wriggling and eventually nipped me with her needle-sharp teeth until I put her down with a yelp. Toffee had just walked into my home and heart!

I agree her name is a bit of a misnomer but she was really the “sweetest” looking puppy that I’d ever seen and her coloring was rich and dark like...caramel, which, incidentally is her middle name.

Her highly assertive and willful personality was evident right from puppyhood. The certified trainer hired to make her more sociable wrung his hands in despair and finally fled when she insisted on acting in direct opposition to any of his commands!

She loathes dogs, cats, birds, and barely tolerates humans!  She's also very selective of the people she is “friends” with. Friendships, too, have their limitations and crossing of any boundary is treated with a hard-eyed stare, deep throated growl or punishing bite, depending on the offense committed. She does as she pleases all the time, every time. She rules the space and we’re just fortunate she deigns to share sometimes.

She is completely neurotic, endearing and incorrigible all at the same time, and I simply adore her!