Magic!

Srama · Mar 24, 2017

Dear JS ma'm,

Thank you for your words. I am all smiles. Appreciate it so much!

Cheeniya · Mar 24, 2017

My dear Srama,
I was listening to Nat King Cole's 'Rambling rose' this afternoon. Then it struck me that if I am a Senile Rambler, you are a Rambling Rose! I sit and masticate, like a cow, my senile thoughts of over 50 years. At my age, senile ramblings are more palatable than my present ones. People tend to show more interest about the long distance that I have traversed. I may have miles to go before I sleep but the scenic beauty of those miles does not seem as attractive to my myopic eyes as they did when I started my journey.
This is what the dictionary says about rambling of the young and old:
"walk for pleasure in the countryside." - Young rambler
"talk or write at length in a confused or inconsequential way." -Senile Rambler

You load your camera ready to shoot at anything that appeals to your senses. Roses start blooming when they see you around with your camera. Everything around you puts on a special sheen because they know that any of them would figure in your youthful quest for beauty. 'A typical Srama production' says Satchi. I would have said the same if I had been younger and crisper like her!
Sri

Scorpio707 · Mar 25, 2017

Hi Sabitha,

You don't fail to spin ''Magic' yourself, do you . I enjoyed reading this one as well. The experience of the 81 year old speaks volumes.

I love it when people don't give up on life but continue to strive forward however tough their battles might be. One can experience 'Magic' in life only if they believe in it. I loved this post, thank you

Srama · Mar 25, 2017

Dear Cheeniya sir,

How do I respond to thee? I am all smiles, blushing even and at a loss for words. So all I did since yesterday was take that camera up again and take pictures. Taking pictures reminded me of you and Satchi again- the conundrum that she has raised you see and the praise you have heaped on me! Are the roses really this beautiful or do they look beautiful because of my picture ? I gave up finally and watched some glorious sun pictures and called it a day.

On a serious note sir, you sure know how much your senile ramblings mean to all of us. Why else would I listen to my photography teacher even with such rapt attention - the same long distance both of you have traversed. I find it all fascinating and you know it well.

Thank you for your words sir.

Srama · Mar 25, 2017

Dear Meenu,

Truth be told, my last class was a repetition of what I have been learning, so I had a good two hours o sit and ruminate and the result is this snippet. This man is so simple, so grounded that it is not even funny - heart in the right place, wonderful attitude and not at all proud. I am glad I get to learn from him.

Thank you for your feedback.

LakshmiKMBhat · Mar 25, 2017

Srama said: ↑

Having rushed around the whole day, finally dropping my DS to his class for the day, I pause taking a quick picture or two at the parking lot, checking on the battery of my camera, heaving a sigh of relief. As soon as I enter, he asks "So do you have 10 pictures for me?" I sheepishly answer that I only have five, hiding the fact that two of them were taken at a parking lot minutes before I entered the class. One picture from the parking lot gets a nod and one another from sometime during the past week gets a "This could be your best shot for the week. Next time I hope to see all 10 good pictures." I heave a sigh of relief.

The guilty and the relief bring the chatty side of me out and I say "I don't know how the week flies by. I am always wondering week after week as to how quickly these weekly classes come by!" He smiles broad with his perfect teeth and only says "Oh wait till you get to my age, the days go by even quicker. It feels like you are having 30 breakfasts in a day". I laugh heartily at that and can only stare at him in admiration. No kidding. He is all of 81 years old and is getting ready for another photography show in a month or so. He sees the look on my face and says "Honey, when you are enjoying what you are doing days feel like a breeze." This is not the first time he has told me that. How many times has not assured me that the best way to keep oneself happy is to develop a passion for something, always adding "Now don't get me wrong! Making money is different. While you work at making money, you must have a passion to keep you happy! Oh I have worked for 30 years at the same job and figured out other ways of making money. I went to work everyday at 4 in the morning to sell 600 cups of coffee, then do my actual job and come home after 12 hour days. I knew making money was important and I made money the honest way so that I can retire early to enjoy my life. Now I am retired for 26 years ." He pauses and asks "Now what is enjoyment?" and continues with a "For me, it is photography! I have been teaching, taking pictures for the last 30 years after taking an early retirement and oh those exhibitions!" I let the words sink in. There is no doubt he is happy. I can see the joy when he shows off his photos-- his wife's, his pictures from younger days, the skyline of various cities, the fireworks, the natural wonders, and discusses how he did them - film, black and white and now the SD card ones, not to speak of all the software that he has taught himself to use. Oh how much of transition he has seen and been through and he tops it all off with a "And oh I have been to all the 50 states and been to the four corners of our country with in the same year. I tell ya!"

As I browse through his pictures, I mention my possible travel to India. India always brings in questions about family, if I miss my home, if I like living here etc. I let in the fact that sometimes I miss my parents deeply and he looks at me quietly for a minute or so and offers "Continue learning this photography and I promise you when you know what you are doing, you will never feel lonely again!" Knowing his story I know he knows what he is talking about. After all, hasn't he told me his story already so many times? He had to leave home at the age of fourteen to take care of his family after his dad passed away. I believe he hitch hiked his way working random jobs. After finding somewhat a stable job at the age of 24, he stayed put there for a good thirty years and retired early so that he can enjoy his life. And he always proudly concludes with a "tell you what! I am only 8th grade pass!"

It is no formal class and any picture that interests me can be the topic for that day. So I am always looking at piles and piles of pictures wondering about many but this one picture, I am drawn to it in a way I cannot explain. Definitely not my kind of subject. That I am sure of but it did draw my attention and makes me wonder. It is a picture that my teacher had taken some 20 years ago using film, Plexiglas, marbles, and vases! Many questions race through my mind as I hear the description of how it was taken. My teacher just sees the look in my eyes and finally says "I believe in magic - both in seeing it and in creating it". How did he know? Just last week as I teased my host gently with a "If you were to talk of ageing in any other context, you will not be spared. Thank goodness it is all about wine!", I hear another elderly guest pop a question to the table - "If you believe in one thing now, what would it be?" I am unaware of the silence that question has brought in but without thinking, I turn towards that guest and offer "Magic" much to the amusement of many at that table except to that of the person who had asked the question. He instinctively seemed to have known what I meant as he smiles broadly and winks at me. Now looking at the glint in my teacher's eyes, I know I am right in believing in magic. Tell me, how else did the Sabrinas and the Supergirls of the world come about? Suddenly I have an intense urge to listen to ABBA's "I have a dream, a song to sing".
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Thank you for sharing. Yes , our own magic takes us to a different world. Regards, Lakshmi

Srama · Mar 25, 2017

Thank you Lakshmi! @LakshmiKMBhat

girvani · Mar 25, 2017

Dear Srama
Another wonderful narration. I felt that your teacher was I front of me. Life is magic and each moment is magical. But, there are times it doesn't feel like that though.
Years ago, I had a colleague who was learning reflexology. At that time I was pregnant with my first son. He will give me free reflexology sessions during lunch break. I felt that he is different than most and he told me that once you stop asking, desiring and chattering then you will hear the real answer within you. I really thought that was a magical moment as I never realised that. Seven years down the line I haven't improved much but I am getting there.
your art teacher brought me my reflexologist' memory and kindness.
Thanks Srama
Vani

gauravnarang · Mar 26, 2017

Beautiful!

Srama · Mar 26, 2017

Dear Vani,

Thank you! I think we all meet people like your reflexology friend or my photography teacher from time to time and as much as we understand, it is not easy to live in that state all the time. I think the best we can do is to learn to live in the present and that will show us the magic! And you are right, it is a learning process as long as we care to remember.