One might think that once a plan is drawn, the construction would proceed smoothly, but that’s far from reality. As soon as the columns were being erected, ideas started pouring in—from everyone and everywhere, thanks to the internet. Living nearby did help with supervision, but we also became a bit too involved, like typical nosey parkers.

Materials initially chosen were changed, and as the building’s elevation was being finalized, one son suggested adding a grand pergola. The other son, upon visiting India, had a slew of suggestions, including recessed spaces, entrance designs, and main door styles. Daughters-in-law offered their inputs too—partially covering the backyard, designing the kitchen, ensuring uniformity in cupboards, and so on. My wife had her firm ideas about the kitchen’s layout and functionality, while I focused on planning the ‘puja’ room.

All these contributions led to one inevitable outcome—increased construction costs. But this was a dream project, a blend of each family member’s vision, so all suggestions were carefully weighed. This collaborative effort, with the positive meeting of minds, happy contributions, consolidation of ideas, a unified goal, and above all, mutual trust, resulted in a beautiful, modern, utilitarian home filled with positive energy.

A lot of thought went into the design, keeping my diminishing eyesight in mind. The house was planned with ample natural light, strategically placed lamps and lights, and easy movement pathways. Kudos to the architect, who, along with his team, became an extended part of our family. One of the beautiful aspects of India is that personal relationships often take precedence over commercial interests, making it a relationship-oriented rather than a purely task-oriented society.

We had a looming deadline: our second grandson had been born, and we needed to be in the USA by a specific date. The final stages of construction, including getting water, drainage, and electricity connections, and even the housewarming ceremony, happened at lightning speed. After basking in our newly built home, with its fresh garden and the joy of a just-bloomed rose, we left for the USA after only a month and a half.

Special credit goes to my wife for raising a beautiful garden, including a terrace garden. Her dedication, love, and care keep the garden vibrant and lovable. By nature, we are not the kind to hoard old, unwanted items. We made a firm decision to avoid clutter, which drains positive energy. We committed to donating, sharing, or discarding things we no longer needed. Sentiments are essential and fuel nostalgic memories, but it’s crucial to know when to draw the line. When we buy new clothes, we make it a point to discard or donate old ones, ensuring no clutter accumulates. Our home should be clean and presentable, exuding positive energy for anyone who enters, but it should primarily serve our comfort and happiness.

To address the flooding issue, we used the highest point in the locality as our base level, further raising the floor level. Now, our home sits comfortably about 5 to 6 feet above the road, allowing us to sleep peacefully without flooding worries. When our sons first saw the house, they remarked, “You’ve built the house starting from the first-floor level!” Following our lead, many others in the locality reconstructing their homes have started elevating their floor levels similarly.

So, before building a new house, consider aspects such as the highest points, gradients, stormwater flow, the possibility of road level rises, and potential flooding. A well-thought-out foundation will allow you to live peacefully for decades.

To be continued...67. My Test with Cricket - Limited Days Exploits Part 1