Leaving early and coming back late had become the norm.

My wife was in total charge of the garden. The coconut trees yielded very well, though every time we had to locate the proper person to harvest them. All were managed by my wife. I started paying scant attention to the garden or gardening.

Our house was known for the tasty guavas and delicious sapotas. Often, we have distributed whatever we had to neighbors. The garden was not well planned due to a lack of extra cash to tend to it. In spite of that, all the plants and trees grew well. Scores of squirrels could be seen scurrying around. Birds were always welcome guests. But my time watching them dwindled.

We always keep recalling these fruit trees. And there was a lemon tree that gave bountiful lemons. How many people would have taken those lemons? My wife was particular that she would always give them free and wholeheartedly.

Construction of a new house meant uprooting all the plants and trees. The coconut trees were tough ones to be cut, and the architect made arrangements for puja before cutting them. They had, however, stopped yielding. But it was sad to see them go. And the fruit trees, including the lemon tree? With a heavy heart, we had to say bye-bye.

After demolition, the barren ground seemed to cry out to us. By this time, my eyesight had become very poor. I could not even see the plants and trees as clearly as I used to. My wife took me around the house before demolition as I touched and felt the trees and plants.

It had been ten years since I had taken retirement and two since I lost my eyesight. Now I wonder why I did not pay as much attention as I could have to the garden. I had lots of time. I had lost out. I feel sad and regret it. Will those days of my ability to see come again?

Continued in 232. Lost Kaleidoscope - Part 3