We have always had a lot of guest at home, growing up. Every week there was someone or the other. It was either an official visit or sometimes a family visit. Since dad was with the church and we lived in a parsonage, official guests of the church usually stayed with us, from other priests to even bishops. On days when they were not around, we had some family visiting. Having grown up in this kind of environment, it's no surprise that even today, I love having guests over.
Being young, there was always some excitement about guests coming over. That would mean special food; something out of the ordinary. Being young, the guest would always bring something for this young boy. So after the excitement of seeing the visitor, my excitement would shift towards their baggage. From a piece of candy to a small toy, anything would do. I would eye their pockets and even scan their baggage without their knowledge for anything that might be meant for me. Rarely was I disappointed. Some uncles would hand me Rs 10 or 20 and if they came from abroad it as usually Rs 100. When the guest was official, I obviously had no interest for them, but only for what they might have for me. On the other hand, if the guest was an uncle or a few cousins, then it was all about them.
Apart from the guests, we have always had people over. Living in a campus, ours was something like an open house. The only time the doors were closed was when we were going to bed. It was always open and people would always walk in and out. We were the fortunate family to own a TV. Really; no one else had one initially. So for the weekly Sunday movies on TV we had a full house of kids and a few adults. If there was a cricket match, we had kids sneak away from the hostel to come and watch. "The World This Week" was another program when we had our house full.
Plus points aside, there are downsides to it as well. There are times when you just don't want anyone at home. You just wish it was just your own family and no one else. But we cant chase anyone away, can we? Sometimes the much loved guest might dig into my favorite piece of chicken that I usually have. Sometimes that guest might take the bed and I have had to hit the floor. Sometimes the guests have been in total control of the TV, that on more than one occasion, I have gone to the terrace and ripped of the wire from the antenna, hoping to interrupt their TV watching. Just my rotten luck, the Doordarshan TV tower was right next to our house and I learnt that the TV didn't really need an antenna for crystal clear pictures.
Many years have passed and I still love having people over. We visit a lot too. My wife too loves having people over and so between her friends/family and my friends/family, we have someone at home almost every week or at the most every other week. It's great and no complaints. It's great to stare at a different face once in a while, have a different kind of conversation and it's always nice to share your environment and make someone feel welcomed. When guests leave, I would want them to leave with the feeling that they would want to come back, and I really hope they do.
Being young, there was always some excitement about guests coming over. That would mean special food; something out of the ordinary. Being young, the guest would always bring something for this young boy. So after the excitement of seeing the visitor, my excitement would shift towards their baggage. From a piece of candy to a small toy, anything would do. I would eye their pockets and even scan their baggage without their knowledge for anything that might be meant for me. Rarely was I disappointed. Some uncles would hand me Rs 10 or 20 and if they came from abroad it as usually Rs 100. When the guest was official, I obviously had no interest for them, but only for what they might have for me. On the other hand, if the guest was an uncle or a few cousins, then it was all about them.
Apart from the guests, we have always had people over. Living in a campus, ours was something like an open house. The only time the doors were closed was when we were going to bed. It was always open and people would always walk in and out. We were the fortunate family to own a TV. Really; no one else had one initially. So for the weekly Sunday movies on TV we had a full house of kids and a few adults. If there was a cricket match, we had kids sneak away from the hostel to come and watch. "The World This Week" was another program when we had our house full.
Plus points aside, there are downsides to it as well. There are times when you just don't want anyone at home. You just wish it was just your own family and no one else. But we cant chase anyone away, can we? Sometimes the much loved guest might dig into my favorite piece of chicken that I usually have. Sometimes that guest might take the bed and I have had to hit the floor. Sometimes the guests have been in total control of the TV, that on more than one occasion, I have gone to the terrace and ripped of the wire from the antenna, hoping to interrupt their TV watching. Just my rotten luck, the Doordarshan TV tower was right next to our house and I learnt that the TV didn't really need an antenna for crystal clear pictures.
Many years have passed and I still love having people over. We visit a lot too. My wife too loves having people over and so between her friends/family and my friends/family, we have someone at home almost every week or at the most every other week. It's great and no complaints. It's great to stare at a different face once in a while, have a different kind of conversation and it's always nice to share your environment and make someone feel welcomed. When guests leave, I would want them to leave with the feeling that they would want to come back, and I really hope they do.
I loved it Div. Great and honest writing. I felt a deju vu myself. Remember Im going through the same phase, living in an open house.
ReplyDeleteKeep it coming brother!
i was one of that guest coming to your home in st.thomas residential compound.i never felt alone with manna aunty and you being around.thanx div, this was,ya,a tale taking me back to my memory lane..
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