Returning to India, we faced a different kind of problem. Most of the houses in our locality were built in the 1970s. Over time, the road levels went up and up, and the number of buildings exponentially increased as houses were converted into flats. Drainage became an issue, and floodwater started entering our house. We decided to demolish and construct a new one. We found a good architect and had frequent meetings with him to draw up plans, select materials and fittings, and plan the layout of the kitchen, pooja room, bedrooms, etc. This interesting and fulfilling exercise took up a lot of well-spent time. I actively participated in this along with my wife and my sons, who joined us over video calls from the USA. Then the construction began.

We were staying in a flat a couple of houses away, so we would visit daily to supervise and enjoy watching the house slowly take shape. There were a lot of purchases to be made, which kept us constantly engaged.

It became a pet project for my wife, and we poured our heart and soul into it. She even planned for a ground-floor garden and a terrace garden. And just within a month of completion, we had to rush to the USA for the birth of our second grandson.

With this cutie boy around, both my wife and I were totally engaged. Kids are such a source of joy and energy. Shuttling between my elder son's and younger son's houses, playing with our elder grandson and the tiny tot, time simply flew by.

Upon our return to India, we faced another shock—I had a bleeding AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) episode that further affected my vision. Reading on the Kindle became more difficult, but we still managed to go out occasionally, see movies, and watch cricket. At our sons' insistence, we even managed a trip to Jaipur and Udaipur—a breezy, happy trip.

That was when my sons suggested an iPad, and ever since, I have been wedded to it. With further decline in vision, I have found new ways to draw out time. Walking around the house is a primary occupation. I also have a meditation session, although I have temporarily put a pause on it since my last health episode. I listen to YouTube channels that I find useful, tune in to podcasts, and, of course, enjoy cricket, which seems to be happening all year round.

Lately, having lost touch with friends after my sight loss, I felt the need to renew my friendships. Wasting no time, I gathered the phone numbers of my good friends and started calling each one in turn. We discuss general topics for one to two hours. All of them were happy that I had returned like a ghost from the past—but a benevolent one.

And then there’s writing this blog. I spend one to two hours writing, gathering thoughts, and saving my work. I get immense pleasure from this activity. I will keep writing.

Maybe when we seem to be down and out, we should not look in just one direction but in all. Many activities will reveal themselves to us, and we can pick and choose what we want. Efforts will definitely bring results.

And so, I keep myself busy, drawing out time to well beyond 24 hours.

To be continued... 41: Playing with the Grandchildren