It Feels Like All Play And No Work
This brief post is a reply to a wonderful comment left on my blog a couple of hours ago by Utah-based Deborah Gamble who said: ``How do you score such great jobs - like writing novels and photographing Quebec City? Yours is a dream life!''
Yes, I have a dream life. I have been happily married to the girl of my dreams for 20 years - and we have been together since she was in pigtails. We have three loving children who bring us joy, pride and happiness. If that's not a dream life, then I don't know what is.
Yes, I write novels. And yes, I am lucky enough to use my cameras in some incredible places around the world. And yes, I enjoy my full-time job as a newspaper journalist. But I'd like to point out that I also had a really happy, secure childhood in Calcutta, surrounded by people who showered me with love, respect and affection in equal measures. And if you'd like to find out about that wonderful chapter in my life, check out Calcutta Revisited and you'll see how life is really one big circle.
6 comments:
It was so fun to read about Calcutta (Kolakta). Great story! Thanks!
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for taking the trouble to check out the link.
As you can see, it was a wonderful experience being able to take our kids back to the place of my own childhood.
Not everyone gets that sort of privilege.
Cheers
David
Ah David, don't make us too jealous! I also envy your opportunity to work in a field that is clearly so natural to you. Composing board minutes pales by comparison@
Still, it's all about counting one's blessings and I think men might be better at that! On a good day, which is most of the time, I have to remember that I had an idyllic childhood too, in India, with Dad a 'burrah sahib' and the good fortune we had, growing up as the children of an Officer on the Railways, and a mother who left no stone unturned, albeit in a firm but gentle manner! In fact, till I came to the U.S., I won't tell you at what age but it was 20 years ago, life seemed to be charmed and with hardly a hitch.
However, despite some 'growing' pains in this country (because, eventually, we all do have to grow up, before OR after 40!!), we have been very fortunate here as well. And as I am deeply moved by the recent tragedy on a university campus, I am aware that my three children who have graced the halls of no less than 8 campuses (and one still has four weeks to go), they have been safe and successful, and generally happy. My eldest has just landed another great job with a very large Texas law firm, so I can see we will have a Texan on our hands, whether we like that or not! and our son also was just handed his second position as a global portfolio manager, continuing his career as a financial analyst in Southern California, a dude we can't resist! My dear little granddaughter Eva Arianna, almost 5, continues to thrive, despite her mother's late and early hours studying law in Boston. And despite their harried existence (and this mother's many - 12+? - red-eye flights back and forth), they are healthy and safe and soon to experience the climes of Florida, where Anna hopes to be admitted to the bar.
Yes, we do have much to be thankful for, and thank you for always being a reminder of the many positives in life!
Dear Carol,
I always enjoy hearing from you. As someone who knew me when I was ``knee-high to a grasshopper'', you have been so supportive of my writing at every level.
Do we really have to grow up before 40? I haven't. And my kids tell me I've left my run a bit late!
It's always interesting reading about your family, and I can feel the closeness you and Neil exude in so many ways, even when you couch it in light-hearted prose.
Take care and thank you, as always, for dropping by.
Much love
David
Dave,
You say the nicest things and always bring out the best - you are a tribute to your family.
I will say something I don't say often, Neil is pure gold. I have been fortunate to have some wonderful friends through life, but he's been a dear and patient partner and we share much - as post-colonials, there are many in-jokes, tea (I've introduced him to Darjeeling, that tea of teas), and classics, plus the odd Agatha Christie and all the other British series - Peter Wimsey and more! Could only enjoy these with someone who also once belonged to the Commonwealth, with all its foibles!
But I do hanker for my India and Anglo-India, esp. these days, since we're tucked away in the Pacific NW...and do enjoy your blog and your 'take' - we both do.
When's that next novel coming out, and did you find your 'railway' person?
Carol M>
Thank you most sincerely, Carol,
My parents would have been delighted to hear that comment.
Yes, from my contact with Neil, I can see the pure gold. I know what you mean.
And neil, as a Darjeling boy, let me tell you there is nothing as good as Darjeeling tea!
I'm so glad you both enjoy the blog. The novel has to be handed over to Penguin in October, but I'm sure I'll have it wrapped it before the deadline.
Haven;t tracked down an engine driver yet, but I'm working on it.
Cheers
David
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