My Slice of Heaven

Growing up, as I did, in the lap of luxurious nature, you cannot blame me for nurturing a dream that one day I too would have my own sprawling house nestled amidst vast expanses of various vegetation – all kinds of trees laden with fruits, flower beds and vegetable patch – that was our home in a small town. The house was large, it accommodated seven of us siblings, our doting parents, grandfather and uncle and a host of animals and birds as well. That I lived on a farm was an understatement! And no, no brownie points for guessing if I loved growing up in such environs! It sure was heaven to us all.

The years have a knack of flying past – Usain Bolt-like – and I find myself enjoying being married to my best friend, role playing the “monster-mother” (when needed) to our two adorable children, and rejoicing in my career Calling. But, never for a moment did I give up on my dream home. The wise man that he is, my best friend would tease me saying that we could definitely possess such a home only if we went back to my hometown. And so continued our saga of rented homes that were near my workplace and the children’s school. 

We strongly believed that when the time was right, Numen (Latin – divine will) would provide us with a home to call our own; and so it happened! We were able to acquire our house with a compound, but yes, one that was a far cry from what I had imagined! The changes we made to our house brought in a happy, wholesome atmosphere. This God-given gift became our Home, my slice of heaven and a haven to everyone who entered it. Our little patch of garden abounding in flower plants and a couple of fruit trees beckoned birds, squirrels, even stray cats and dogs, all adding an aura of beauty and blessing. Friends, Flowers, Feathers and Furs, all are welcome at “Blessing”.

Want to know how I came to accept and love our home? Oh no, it certainly wasn’t a case of “sour grapes”, it is the realization that hit me hard, when the still small voice inside of me told me loud and clear that I am “blessed with a house that is large enough for my growing family and yet small enough to be able to manage when we grow old.” 

(Betty D’Couto is the former Head, PG & Research Centre of English, Lady Doak College. She taught there for 35 years.)