Merry Christmas everyone......Lobo Rebello Update for 2013

Dearest family and friends,

2013…another eventful, exciting year for the Lobo Rebello’s. We successfully completed a whole year of being a long distance family. We all learnt new things, had interesting experiences, survived the heartache that being away from someone you love brings, looked for silver linings and found out that no matter what life throws you, it still is a beautiful life.

The kids, especially the older three took to living in India like seasoned locals. We anticipated a lot of whining, eye rolling and complaining, but surprisingly that never really happened much. They went headlong and immersed themselves in school and their activities. They took every opportunity to try something new and as we look back we see that each of them have grown and blossomed because of their Indian experience and that’s make it all worth it!

Snapshots of the kids…

Arhantika(14)- Music is her life, photography her passion. In 2013 she has:

• Worked hard at creating a playlist that can compete with the top DJs
•   Grown TALLLLLL
• Spent a lot of time lamenting the fact that high school kids in India have to study too much (she isn’t convinced that really, that is the trend everywhere nowadays).
•   Lost A LOT of stuffJ
• Has played soccer, basketball, sung in a choir, given a ILed talk on adoption, continued with guitar lessons and has been a great strength and help to mama.

Ryeika(10)- Motto- Give, Share, Love. In 2013 she has:

• Become a French expert
• Retained her position as mama s secretary
• Got hired as her teachers personal assistant
• Not had even one tantrum
• Influenced everyone she comes in touch with so deeply with her endearing and   loving ways that we are
• nominating her for our very own Person of the year award (Modi and Miley – you don’t stand a chance)

Neeira(8)- Demure and gentle, yet strong in spirit. In 2013 she has

·         Made us laugh (like real Roll on the floor laughing kind of laughing) a lot

·         Held the world record for most knotted hair

·         Has boldly come out of her comfort zone and tried so many new things

·         Shown a flair for music and dance that is truly commendable

·         Become a voracious reader

Liraya (4)- Fashion is her passion. In 2013 she has

·         Given us the best hugs and close to a million kisses that we treasure

·         Had us all round her little finger, at her beck and call (and we gladly obliged)

·         Proven that she can be quite the Miss Perfect at school

·         Re enforced family reading time before bed quite strictly

·         Still not gotten used to not having her dada around and says that her heart is in Afghanistan

Gerard, as most of you know had an exciting year. Post his brush with the Taliban, there were no more untoward incidences, and thankfully the following months were relatively quiet. He survived the distance remarkably cheerfully by keeping himself busy with his music and playing a lot of snooker and tennis.

As for me, what can I say but ‘Thank you Bangalore ‘. I had one great year.  It’s hard to explain, but as hard as it was settling into life without Gerard, I just loved being back in Bangalore. It was great to spend quality time with family and seeing my parents as often as every month was a dream come true. Thanks to all my friends who welcomed me back with open arms, and who did all they could to ensure that the gang in Whitefield was never lonely. I also made some new friends and we proved that we could, over a cup of tea, find a solution to just about anything, laugh and giggle like teenagers and forge bonds of friendship destined to last a lifetime. This year is also special, in that I will always remember it as the year that I began to write in earnest. I was able to get started on a book and thanks to a dear friend who pulled me into the world of data analytics and big data, I also became a self proclaimed expert in the field and have written and published articles on probably everything there is to write on the subject.

As Christmas drew closer, the atmosphere at home was charged. The kids got busy decorating, writing letters to Santa, building the crib and singing carols. Our little chart that says ‘Presents for Jesus’ got quickly filled with stars (we add a star when someone at home does something nice for someone else). This is best part of Christmas. That feeling in our hearts, that feeling of hope, of sentiment. This year we have the pleasure of hosting the whole Lobo Rebello gang (This includes some of the Rebello in-laws too) and we know it will be one special Christmas.

To our friends who we will not get to personally wish this season, we send out our warmest wishes and love. It is always heartening to know that we have friends in far flung corners of the world, friends who despite the miles between us never seem truly distant. As we continue our separate journeys and find new adventures, we want you to know that we treasure and often relive the memories of our times together.

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and we hope the new year bring you much happiness. Continue to weave beautiful dreams. Laugh a lot. Don’t get so caught up with routine and chores that you miss the little moments.  Because if we’ve learnt anything this year, it’s this….Love and laughter, priceless memories and enchanting moments happen when you least expect it. But because life is rushing by, many of us don’t stop for a second and acknowledge those moments. We find excuses and believe that we have to race ahead because that’s what life demands. But let life will surprise you, give people a chance and prioritize. Remember it’s not so important to live happily ever after, it’s more important to do things that make you happy right now.

Merry Christmas and Happy New year.

Sanchita, Gerard, Arhantika, Ryeika, Neeira and Liraya