Posts Tagged ‘Beautiful life’
A yellow mushroom speaks
July 23, 2025Confessions of a confused father
July 3, 2025Confession Time 📚🙈
I have never read a Harry Potter book. Yes, you heard that right.
This, despite both my children- Siddharth Ratho and Aditi Ratho – being Potterheads. In fact, Aditi’s devotion continues to this day, long after growing up and acquiring all the signs of responsible adulthood (jobs, deadlines, her own business venture now – and the ability to function without a wand 😀).
I’ve always stood my ground – with this (very grown-up sounding) logic:
“Why read fantasy when real life – and fiction based on it – is already so fascinating?”
To which Aditi would patiently say, year after year, “Just read the first ten pages. You’ll love it.”
I didn’t do it. Not becuase I am stubborn- just… habitual realism 😊. My children even got my late father to read a few Harry Potter books. But I did not relent 😎
But then something magical happened.
Aditi’s debut novel — Suzie Mistry and The Imagination Factory — got published last week! 🥹💫
I’m immensely proud – the kind of pride that makes you sniff the pages, carry the book around like a trophy, and tell complete strangers, “My daughter wrote this!”..My late father and late father in law must be so proud too – wherever they are.
…At this point, refusing to read my daughter’s book just because I’m “not into the genre” would be… well… churlish (and grounds for family disownment 😄).
So I read the first page.
And guess what? I’m hooked !
Turns out magic runs in the family after all 🤔
Reading it tonight.
And yes, you can find it on Amazon. 😁

Beautiful Life
October 28, 2022My mother’s father gifted me a football and two hockey sticks
When my parents celebrated my turning six
I held on to these possessions
Until the ball was shapeless and the sticks were outgrown
Such memories are more precious now
Than anything I have done or I may own
Along with my children and their spouses
Who are making homes out of their houses
I have friends who talk about the shapes of their dreams
Write sweet notes, sing soulfully or share piercing poems
Some of them are my wonderful nephews and nieces
With their unspoilt minds, healing hugs and flying kisses