Sara's surprise birthday party - My introduction

It was on December 29th 1980 when Ammini (Sara) and I reached Baltimore with three month old Jamie and Aimee. Our married life sprouted in New York but is deeply rooted in Baltimore. Many of you who are here today were at our wedding in Bronx. Two people who were at our wedding are not here today – Pappachayan (M.G.Abraham)and Demetrius Thirumeni (H.G.Yuhanon Mar Demetrius). Pappachayan was the witness at our wedding and was part of our life in Baltimore all these years until he was called home. Demetrius Thirumeni came to our wedding as a stranger but remains as a brother and spiritual father to this day.

I realized that I had married a special girl at the first party at Thankachayan and Ammama’s (Marykutty) apartment in New York. Ammini was everywhere talking to people and introducing me. Making sure others ate and ate well was her life ambition. We were also blessed with Ruby. Ammini and Ruby were inseparable. I knew then that Ammini would never have a problem bringing up children.

We spent our days immediately after the wedding in Baltimore with the Sebastian family- our Pappa and Ammachi in Baltimore. We have our longest running relationships in Baltimore. Ammini has always made sure we keep in touch with our St. Thomas Baltimore Church family and our family in Bombay, Kerala and all over the US - from TN, TX, CA, NY, NJ, PA, GA, IL, OH, CO, MA and MD. You all have given us so many wonderful memories.

Our life became complete with Gina. We are proud of our girls as much as you are of them. Ammini has taught them well.

Each of you know Ammini in her own unique ways. If I had to tell you her qualities you will tell me, you already know it. Let me do it anyway. She prays constantly. It is never a surprise when she says, “Namuku Prarthikam” (let us pray), be it in the car, home or in the plane. Helping others is a consistent habit. She has no problem asking her nieces and nephews for money to send to someone in need in India. Cooking is her passion. She has no clue how to cook for a family because she only knows how to cook for many. Her strength in cooking comes from Ammama, who has the same quality – only knows how to cook for many. She knows to suffer with a smile. She takes up more of the struggles than I do but you would never know.          She is a blessing to others. Be assured that each of you has been in her prayers one time or another and will continue to be in our family prayers. Finally, Ammini loves surprises. I hope this party was a surprise to her. Knowing Ammini I can tell you, even if she knew about this party, she will be the first one to be happy to see all of you here.

Wishing you all the best of God’s blessings. 

Bejoy (Abraham Joshua)

In support of habits and methodical approaches to ...

It was on Christmas day the girls (JAG) brought up the idea of giving Sara (wife, mother) a surprise party for her birthday.  The plan was in motion, the date was negotiated, the list was laundered to a point of acceptance, though we missed many.  JAG wrote a general idea of food that was acceptable - typical Kerala dinner, location was not an issue - our church.
My girls are methodical in their approach to issues - good or bad.  They are guided by habits they picked up growing up. Habits of punctuality, respecting elders and being a role model for those following them.

Tragedies abound.

Between the earthquakes and Tsunami, uprising in mid-east the world is reeling. Life goes on. Japan is desperately trying to contain a nuclear disaster. Thousands of Japanese are waiting for help to restart a devastated life. Gadaffi seem to have an upper hand against the uprising. Saudi Arabia is lending its army to Bahrain to put down another discontent. Charlie Sheen is out of the sitcom. The degree of suffering range from unbearable to 'ignore'.

Sara's surprise birthday party - introduction

It was on December 29th 1980 when Ammini (Sara) and I reached Baltimore with three month old Jamie and Aimee. Our married life sprouted in New York but is deeply rooted in Baltimore. Many of you who are here today were at our wedding in Bronx. Two people who were at our wedding are not here today – Pappachayan (M.G.Abraham)and Demetrius Thirumeni (H.G.Yuhanon Mar Demetrius). Pappachayan was the witness at our wedding and was part of our life in Baltimore all these years until he was called home. Demetrius Thirumeni came to our wedding as a stranger but remains as a brother and spiritual father to this day.
I realized that I had married a special girl at the first party at Thankachayan and Ammama’s (Marykutty) apartment in New York. Ammini was everywhere talking to people and introducing me. Making sure others ate and ate well was her life ambition. We were also blessed with Ruby. Ammini and Ruby were inseparable. I knew then that Ammini would never have a problem bringing up children.
We spent our days immediately after the wedding in Baltimore with the Sebastian family- our Pappa and Ammachi in Baltimore. We have our longest running relationships in Baltimore. Ammini has always made sure we keep in touch with our St. Thomas Baltimore Church family and our family in Bombay, Kerala and all over the US - from TN, TX, CA, NY, NJ, PA, GA, IL, OH, CO, MA and MD. You all have given us so many wonderful memories.
Our life became complete with Gina. We are proud of our girls as much as you are of them. Ammini has taught them well.
Each of you know Ammini in her own unique ways. If I had to tell you her qualities you will tell me, you already know it. Let me do it anyway. She prays constantly. It is never a surprise when she says, “Namuku Prarthikam” (let us pray), be it in the car, home or in the plane. Helping others is a consistent habit. She has no problem asking her nieces and nephews for money to send to someone in need in India. Cooking is her passion. She has no clue how to cook for a family because she only knows how to cook for many. Her strength in cooking comes from Ammama, who has the same quality – only knows how to cook for many. She knows to suffer with a smile. She takes up more of the struggles than I do but you would never know. She is a blessing to others. Be assured that each of you has been in her prayers one time or another and will continue to be in our family prayers. Finally, Ammini loves surprises. I hope this party was a surprise to her. Knowing Ammini I can tell you, even if she knew about this party, she will be the first one to be happy to see all of you here.
Wishing you all the best of God’s blessings.
Bejoy (Abraham Joshua)

1st Monday in 2011

Back in Baltimore after attending a New Year day wedding in Miami.  It was a satisfying trip mentally and emotionally.  It is now time to regroup and execute the plan for 2011- Real Estate, Public Speaking and Family.

 It was an awesome church, unfortunately the sound system was challenging.  The scenery made up for the sound.  The reception site was on the waterfront and the view was beautiful. 
Overall, an auspicious beginning to 2011.

Still Closing out 2010

Spending my last few days of 2010 in St. Louis was never in my dreams; still, it is a reality.  I am here in St. Louis to attend a funeral.  God chose this time to recall another soul.  Suddenly the children have to grow up to handle responsibilities they had hoped to keep at arms length for quite sometime.  The wake was what it was meant to be - a time to look back.  I did some soul searching as well.

I will be looking to complete another milestone in 2011.  I would like to complete one major achievement before facing the inevitable, if God allows.  Over the years I am not sure if I have competed any major projects that I can call "complete."  I have many "it is complete for now" in my repertoire.

As I look over the horizon I would like to add 'public speaking' to my credentials.  I would like to say on December 31, 2011 that I have truly completed my desire to be a Public Speaker.

I have taken the first step in talking to Dr. Dilip Abayasekara, past President of Toastmasters International.  I look forward to the Champions Edge conference in Las Vegas on February 2011.

Quotable quotes!

I am jaded by the infinite quotes posted as facebook status.  It has come to a point where it is impossible to certify its authenticity.  If a statement is in quotes it is often incorrect.  Most don't seem to have any attribution.  But, it seems we are still enthralled by them.  If we could carve our life by the quotes we read on facebook I will start hitting the 'like' button for all the quotes and put together a plan to use them.

Yet quoting, misquoting and simply changing someone's words etched in history does not make most of us smart. 

Though this is a general trend, I am impressed by some quotes which leave an impression. 

Abraham

Is this really Christmas?

We had a calm and enjoyable Christmas service on the 24th evening.  This Christmas morning I read all the news headlines on google sites only to read about tragedies, failures and a general fear in most parts of the world.  Any good news hidden in between tragedies were nothing more than exhortations for peace from religious and political leaders.  Another Christmas with wishes floating yet ever close to reality.

Even with splintered hopes, dreams and wishes the world continues in to uncharted times.  All we can pray for is leaders with morals and visions, capable of articulating and directing a group of people through these difficult times. 
I hope for a new year with such leaders who will not apologize, but accept their personal failures and move on with their life and leave the leadership role to others waiting in their footsteps.
I hope for a new year where people will not blindly follow leaders whose only dream is personal.
I hope for a new year where people will not blindly follow religious leaders who keep interpreting their religious tenets to fulfill their ambitions.

I hope for a new year where people will find connections amongst their friends and families and strengthen the connection for a stronger relationship.
I hope for a new year where we find more in common with others and may the difference we find in each other help us grow.

I hope for a new year of growth in diversity.


Happy New Year World.