Finest Post - May 2009 Winner!

Dear friends,

As children we have enjoyed listening and singing songs like “Nani teri morni ko mor legaye” or “Dadi amma, dadi amma maan jaao”. What really made those songs special was the image we had of the central character of the songs – the Nani or the Dadi – the granny or the grandma.

For most of us this granny or grandma was not just a person but a wonderful phase of our life that defined and re-defined many a things in for us. She was an era in our life that was surrounded with abundant love and affection, an era that was filled with priceless moments of sunshine and laughter. As we grew, these precious times with her became an indelible and the most beautiful part of our memory bank.
I know that by now you know who the winner this month is. It is of course, Paulina for her unforgettable story -
A Sense of Belonging

I have been a silent admirer of Paulina’s talents as a writer. I say silent not because I have ever tried to hide this but because I have never forced myself to express it in the form of an FB or a note. In this announcement I hereby come out of the closet to say a few things about her that I have always wanted to.

Her English is perfect as perfect can be -always rich but never out of reach. The English is something we can read. But there are a lot of things that she writes that we cannot not read but can only feel. The abundant warmth that her writings exude being one such. Probably, a reflection of her persona. There is an ethereal quality to her writings that make you want to read more and more from her.

When she wrote about grandma, she brought our grandma back to us. For the less fortunate ones who never experienced grandmas love (me included), she created a virtual grandma with whom we could relate to. In one seemingly simple story she weaved a beautiful web of relationships between people related in blood with the people who were not related in blood (the help at grandma’s home). The setting of a beautiful home in Kerala was as charming as the people living in it. The story left us with feelings that we had never experienced before and thoughts that we linger on in our mind for long.

Paulina, in this story you have given us a shade that we can come to and rest under whenever we feel tired of walking alone, or whenever we feel like the world has lost its old world charm, or whenever we want to experience the most wonderful time of our life again – our childhood.

THANK YOU Paulina for this unforgettable experience!

Click here for the Special Gift!
Lots of luv,
Kamla and SS

My dear Lali,

A zillion thanks to you for bringing this winning nomination to the FP.

You are a winner once again Lali!

Lotsa luv,
SS

Congrats paulina for winning the FP!!!

with love
pad

My dear friends,

I know you are going to say that I sound like a broken record repeating the same sentiments month after month. Yet, to tell you the truth, Kamla and I always feel that we haven't said enough to justify how blessed we feel by your presence in the FP - in the form of nominations and in the form of the wonderful writings that get nominated.

Thanks to all you wonderful writers whose posts got nominated in May - whose posts made the FP special and our job as judges difficult. Normally to thank someone for making their job difficult is unheard of. But in the FP, we have gotten used to this as the norm! I mean, we know that no matter how hard we try to escape it, you friend's are going to make this decision day a tough task for us because of your lovely writings. And I have to admit that we are only thankful for this "difficulty" that you bestow upon us.

The FP would not be what it is if not for your remarkable writings and enthusiatic nominations.

We look forward to more "difficult" times in June!

Lots of luv,
SS

My dear Paulina,

Congratulations!!

It is high time that your name belonged to the list of best writers of IL. I cannot even fathom as to how it took so long for you to get there?! After all, 'a sense of belonging' there was always loud and clear when you pen words!

This winning post of yours is a few months old. But when something is that charming and haunting, it will never leave our thoughts. Thanks to Lalitha for bringing this Lalitha's contribution and reviving the flame of interest.

The grandma in your post has found a special place in our hearts. Like SS has so rightfully said, it is always a pleasure to read anything you write, be it poems, prose, travelogues or genuine feedbacks. They all project the lovely person with a kind heart.

Looking forward to many more from you...

L, Kamla

Dear Paulina
My hearty congratulations to you! Honestly, it is my view that the coveted recognition has come rather late to you. Your threads are always a joy to read particularly for people like me who love the 'olde world' English. 'A sense of belonging' is a kind of thread that we don't see often. It's a kind that leaves a deep impression on the reader. I feel extremely bad that I missed the chance to nominate it.
Sri

Dear Soaring Spirit,

My, my, That was the mother of all eulogies and reading and re reading it makes me say 'my cup runneth over' !!

Thanks dear SS for all those compliments .....shall be cherished and treasured forever.

As for me, I am specially gratified that I was able to take many readers on one of those unforgettable trips on the Time Machine and allow them to relive those happy childhood days with grandma and grandpa which many kids have the good fortune to experience during summer vacations.

Writing this ,allowed me the joy of being a little kid( "those were the days!!") and a grandma ( the stage I've arrived at now !)simultaneously !

Thanks ever for honouring "A Sense of Belonging" , which I would love to dedicate to all grandmas who were little girls in pig tails once upon a time !!

Originally Posted by Padmini

Congrats paulina for winning the FP!!!

with love
pad

Dear Padmini,

Thank you dear for your message of congrats.

Originally Posted by Kamla

My dear Paulina,

Congratulations!!

It is high time that your name belonged to the list of best writers of IL. I cannot even fathom as to how it took so long for you to get there?! After all, 'a sense of belonging' there was always loud and clear when you pen words!

This winning post of yours is a few months old. But when something is that charming and haunting, it will never leave our thoughts. Thanks to Lalitha for bringing this Lalitha's contribution and reviving the flame of interest.

The grandma in your post has found a special place in our hearts. Like SS has so rightfully said, it is always a pleasure to read anything you write, be it poems, prose, travelogues or genuine feedbacks. They all project the lovely person with a kind heart.

Looking forward to many more from you...

L, Kamla

My dear Kamla,

Lovely to get your warm message of congrats.
I must thank my namesake who literally brought " A Sense of Belonging " out from the woodwork as it were and allowed it to cross the hallowed portals of FP to be enshrined there in glory for the month of May.Yes, as you rightly observed it took a long time ....that's because grandma's have long since given up on running marathon's and as fast movements are prohibhitive at this stage in life , she took a leisurely stroll and landed there were you all welcomed her!
BTW , just to refresh your memory, IL allowed me the honour of two other wins earlier , though not the prestigious FP as you say .Guess my grandma organised it finally !
Thanks once again for all your appreciation.

Dear Paulina,

It was not just an ordinary post. It was a full-length Director Fazil's movie. Something like the classic Poove Poochooda Va or the film in which Kushboo made her debut.. Varusham 16.

Writing flawless English is one thing. But weaving an intricate picture of emotions and feelings using the words as the colourful threads and the actual happenings as the needle.. well not all can do it.

It has been long since I read such beautiful English. Such a beautiful story. And had such wonderful narrations. Right from the labrador every one had a nice role to play in the story. I was jerked into tears when Tony decided to stop the car and hold you in his arms.

That scene got etched into my mind. And Paulina, please do not sue me for plagiarism if that scene appears in one of my published works. A very spontaneous gesture. I simply love the way you put it across.

You have made my day with your post. You have also made me feel heavy with guilt for having ignored such a wonder masterpiece all these months.

Hats off to you, Paulina. Congratulations. May you always be blessed by our Madurai Queen Meena Madam. May you bring forth many such posts.

While on this please convey my special pranams to Tony. And do give him a hug for what he did on the day you received the news about grandma's passing away.

love,
sridhar