Once upon a time long awaited day; now any other day except for the fact that it brings a lot more wishes & memories.

AND you need to “Take care of your memories, for you cannot relive them.”

With the wife away to Tirupati, all celebrations in abeyance, though the day, nay night started with a text from a gentleman whom I respect extremely for his business acumen & the way he has lived his life Mr. Mahesh Sarda.

And then the flood began, birthday bumps.

Curiously, Mehul called early, Naren followed up with a personal visit; whilst Hemant just sent a message. Of all Prithviraj(cookie) did not call, text wish on FB also; thoughts swirling in my head, but do not expect everyone to drop what they have on their plates to wish at my time.

The afternoon, lunch, a simple affair, with my daughter, parents & in laws! Soon the wife called & all was right with my world.

Come evening, waiting for Mehul, who surprisingly had been insistent on picking me up for couple of drinks, bachelor style. My daughter had gone off for a friends treat, so that was it.

Started for the club, with plans to visit the Bar, which is done up in old British style, a personal favorite. Closer to the place, knowing my aversion to Chinese food, I was guided to their restaurant.

AND the penny dropped ~~~ People who matter to me had made time; my daughter had grown up, using her Mehul uncle, Dharti had organized a small party. Nivedita & AD (anjali) were already seated there, with Naren & Meena expected to join. However, the biggest surprise was Hemant the Gajjer, all the way from Ahmedabad, who had been unable to keep his promise to come for the anniversary, had come the previous day & stayed back on Mehul’s insistence!

Now it did not matter, whether chinese, bar or wherever — favorite scotch was ordered; bottles of wine opened with the food ~~Wine Bottle 1Wine Bottle 2

Starters
Dim Sums (Chicken & Vegetarian - need to do something about the veg)
Chilly potato (surprisingly different than the one at holiday inn)
Lamb fry (good)

Soup
Mon chow - universally good

Main Course

Assortment of Noodles; Fried Rice; Veg Manchurian; Hunan Chicken

By the time Prithvi, Naren, Meena joined, everyone was enjoying themselves so much, that no photographs were taken further.

Gave dessert a mis in favor of a last one for the road along with the lovely cake, that my daughter had organized! She has certainly grown up.

What more could one want in life??? of course the wife, but there is always a next year….. And for friends Thank you: two small words to convey the infinite feeling in my heart & for all the memories past, present & future. God Bless!!