Saturday, February 28, 2015

NaBloPoMo: Make...Another Friend Online!


Today there is no NaBloPoMo prompt as it is a weekend though on the theme of the word "make" I would presume. It is also the last day of NaBloPoMo challenge for this month. Woohoo! I survived!!

I say that because it's not only a matter of writing and posting, but also of reading and commenting on other bloggers' posts, preferably those part of the challenge. And I am already actively involved in one blogging community, another I let go in part due to time commitments.

Having just met with blogger and author Carol Graham for the second time this past weekend after having read her book Battered Hope, I followed with another blogger's book. And I did this in between the schedule of my full-time work and the busyness of my life, primarily while travelling to and from work. And thus the fate for today's post came to be.

Usha Menon's book

This particular blogger I met online and then indirectly in person. I will explain that below.

I just finished reading this blogger's book where I got to come to know and understand more of this remarkable woman. She is, I believe, one of the first bloggers I met online in a blogging community I am involved with (as mentioned above). I met her on what is currently known as the Blog-A-Rhythm (BAR) blog site.

This blog site is comprised primarily of Indian bloggers, I would say at least 80% though I think it may be more like 90% or even 95%.

What I immediately admired about this blogger's posts was her ability to write Japanese haiku which is a short three-lined, structured poem. I think she is a natural at it, meaning brilliant! At least I see it that way. Along with the poems, she would feature delightful or interesting photos, some taken by her.

I say that in part as I have attempted to write some haiku in past with extreme difficulty. It is due to the number of words per line along with the last line standing in sharp contrast from the first two.

Additionally, I have read quite a number of her other posts which are mainly non-fiction and primarily related to the topics of education, society, and family - hers of course - in India. These themes also comprise her book which I finished reading today.

Furthermore, she is rather adept at technology blowing me away with her knowledge and skill. I am more like a dinosaur in comparison! ;)

Usha Menon is an avid blogger and part of the BAR (Blog-A-Rhythm) community, though I initially met her by one of this blog's previous names: see photo of Usha in front of her desk with her laptop; photo courtesy of Usha herself.

And how did I meet her indirectly you may wonder? This is a two-fold question:

Most recently Usha actually phoned me long distance, not once but twice. The first time was earlier in the week. She tells me she hung up thinking it was midnight. It was actually only 10 pm my time and not late for her to call me.

I first thought it was a misdialled number - occasionally I get calls from Malaysia and elsewhere - and then I wondered if it might have been Usha; however, she had hung up after one ring possibly two.

The second time she asked if she could phone me and I knew intuitively I couldn't stop her as I knew she wanted to and would sooner or later. She explained to me that she "wanted to hear my voice."

According to Usha, I sounded just like she imagined; however, on my end I heard a voice that belied her age, sounding much younger woman than her almost 80 years! And I loved her laugh too! ;)

We even texted on our mobile phones, the latter for a few minutes at one point about a week prior to that. And before that, we would communicate via social media (Facebook). I had asked her some questions including that of her book. This is what she 'told' me: "I want people to know that I did my best for everyone i knew, whether professionally or in a family."

Isn't that sweet? Isn't she a dear? Though she terms herself 'eccentricgrandmum' on her blog, I find her so endearing that I too think of her as 'Nani' which is my affectionate term for her meaning 'maternal grandmother.' She has that quality, that sense, that feel about her...at least for me! ;)

How would I describe Usha? In no particular order: intelligent, compassionate, kind, polite, sweet, firm but loving (via her book), humorous, delightful! ...

I affectionally nickname her 'grandma' (short for 'grandmother') after she nominated me for a blogging award. And I later read an online communication between us where she informs me that she has "a motherly affection for me." ;)

Elly with Usha's son

Only two weeks ago, I met Usha's son Deepak and also met Rajeev upon her son's visit to Canada. (*According to Deepti, Rajeev's wife, she herself is Usha's grandniece so that makes Rajeev, Usha's .... [fill in the blank as I'm not great at figuring out the family tree!].

Usha had messaged me stating she had "a small gift" for me as a token of her friendship which Deepak had bestowed upon me. (I normally don't speak so formally but that is the word that came to me!)

Upon meeting these two men downstairs in the atrium near my workplace, I was greeted with a relatively large and soft package. I immediately thought "Punjabi suit?! How does she know what size I am?" ;)

After heading back to my office upstairs, I opened the package in shock and surprise to discover not one, not two, not three, but four gifts! That's "small?!" [An aside here to Usha: I knew you had a sense of humour! ;)]

Elly with warm beige shawl over beige warm down coat

The gifts are (1) a beautiful hand-embroidered beige shawl which is almost the same colour - matches - my long beige down coat (2) a necklace made of tiny shells (3) multi-coloured glass earrings and (4) her book that she had written entitled, Reverse gear. (For some reason, I keep thinking it's called Shifting Gears which would have been just as appropriate!)

Elly wearing earrings and necklace (with a pic I took)

I felt extremely humbled and touched by Usha's sweet and kind gesture.

Read more about Usha Menon on and in between the lines of her blog entitled, "Kuch Khatta Kuch Meetha." According to Usha it means as follows: "Khatta means 'sour' and Meetha means 'sweet.' Kuch means a little. And the title means some sour and some sweet."

Namaste nani Usha, my dear sweet blogging friend!

Have you ever connected with someone online not only because of what they had written but because of what you sensed about them?

29 comments:

  1. This is so heartwarming, Elly. Ushaji is an inspiration to all of us as she lives her life with such energy. All my interactions with her have been virtual so far and she is someone who is always so warm, welcoming and supportive. How beautiful the association and love that the two of you share. Those gifts are spectacular. Loved reading about this beautiful 'meeting'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rachna. I am glad you enjoyed reading my connection with Usha. She is indeed warm and loving. I am grateful to know and have 'met' her. :) <3

      Delete
  2. Wow...lucky you Elly! That was such a sweet surprise from Usha ma'am. I'm glad you have had the opportunity to interact with both Carol and her outside the blogging world. Usha ma'am does inspire all of us with all her positive energy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was indeed a pleasant, unexpected, and sweet surprise from Usha. She is very supportive. :) <3

      Delete
  3. This was the perfect Sunday morning read. Such a heart warming post, Elly. How nice of Usha ma'am to surprise you with such sweet gifts. Absolutely loved this post. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad to hear that I delighted your Sunday morning with this post Vinitha! :) <3

      Delete
  4. This is truly heart warming post. Such a sweet connection. Long may your friendship continue. Thanks for sharing. Oh so sweet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Suzy and I did my best to convey it from my heart as well. ;) Very sweet indeed! :) <3

      Delete
  5. Elly, thank you for writing so highly about me. I am overwhelmed. It is friends like you , who inspire me to write. Thank you dear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well my dear Usha, how can I not write 'so highly' about you?! You are an inspiration to us much younger bloggers with your health challenges and still writing, writing, writing! :) <3

      Delete
  6. Oh this is such a special post and why not when it is about a special lady! So nice to read about this

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Naba. I'm glad you find it a 'special' post as I did my best to convey that about Usha, a special lady. :) <3

      Delete
  7. This was so wonderful to read about, Elly. So heartwarming and touching. Usha does seem like such a sweet and caring soul. That's lovely how you have connected so well like this and she even delivered gifts to you via her relatives. That's so special! You are so lucky having these close connections. I think the Internet is wonderful the way it brings us together this way. I am enjoying my online friends and have recently befriended another BAR member, Shilpa in Mumbai. We share our love of sketching and other things. It's great fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Cathy. It is wonderful to have made such connections and blogging and the internet are great ways to do that, thus the term "worldwide web!" ;) I noticed your connection with Shilpa and I think it's great that you have sketching as a common medium you both enjoy. :) <3

      Delete
  8. Thank you for sharing that with us Elly. Usha is one of my favorite bloggers and her warmth and compassion and humor come through beautifully. How wonderful that you connected in more than one way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I can see why Usha is one of your favourite bloggers as is mine! ;) I too enjoy her sense of warmth and humour. :) <3

      Delete
  9. What a wonderful story. She is a master of haiku and a lovely lady! ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kathy. I am glad that you enjoyed reading this post. And ditto to your remark about Usha! :) <3

      Delete
  10. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is such a wonderful post!!
    Usha ji is my inspiration and she is a fabulous human being!!

    The blogging world has been kind to me - I have connected on a personal level with a lot of folks - met a few of them and the friendship is strong and true :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pixie: your 1st remark made me smile, big! ;) I can see why Usha is your inspiration - she is mine too - and she is 'fabulous' as well! :) How fun to have met with some bloggers Pixie. :) <3

      Delete
  12. Lovely heartwarming post Elly!! To see online relationships grow to this level is so humbling no? Wow! Loved the pics too and we all look up to Ushaji :) Thank you for sharing this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Aditi. (Sorry I missed your comment prior!) I am so grateful to have met, thus far, two wonderful bloggers - Usha is one - whom I have gotten to know and to cherish. :) <3

      Delete
  13. Woww!! isn't Usha ji absolutely adorable :D A beautiful post ... and while reading it I felt so much warmth and love in your words, distance doesn't matter, it is always the thought that counts :) And I am glad I know two beautiful souls :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes she certainly is Raj! ;) I am glad you enjoyed reading this post. I did my best to write from heart as Usha is a woman of heart also. Thanks for your sweet and lovely compliment! :) <3

      Delete
  14. This is really heartwarming and a perfect example of how enduring frendships can grow despite cultural and physical distances. Lovely post Elly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well said Tulika: how true! It is wonderful to experience as well! ;) <3

      Delete
  15. What a wonderful story of friendship! So heartwarming that you and Usha have connected in this way, Elly. The internet is such a great tool for building relationships all over the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Debbie. It was certainly a heartwarming experience to have gotten to know Usha and connect with her. Technology sure can be wonderful! :) <3

      Delete