The sound of music

It's been six years to the day that my father passed away,six years since I quit work,six years since my mother came to stay with me. A long time but it doesn't feel that way. I still can't bring myself to visit his grave,though I am more than happy to visit graveyards in other countries. The trauma is too much for me. I believe the first time someone in ones family dies is the most difficult of times,and despite the time I wake up with nightmares of that time. But over the years I have tried to put away the bad memories and focus on the good. Today was one such. Surfing the tv channels looking for something to view I came across the movie...the sound of music. A great believer in signs to me this was one such. Many years ago,I think I may have been six though I can't be sure. The movie was playing to packed houses in madras at one of the premium cinemas of that day. The novelty of wide screen was a big event in our city and my father wanted me to share the excitement . The memory of it is etched in my mind,how much is truth or just my imagination I can't tell but I did see the movie in wide screen,I remember eating sandwiches my mother had packed which my father carried in a worn green leather bag that the same one he took to office. I remember him telling me to look out for Maria coming in from the far end of the screen. I sat spellbound and to this day the scene where the captain and Maria finally decide to come together and that song is what defines romance for me. Hills beautiful green and the alps in all their majesty was for my six year old mind,the ultimate experience. That movie I held on to and to this day when I am feeling sad I simply remember the movie and I feel happy. Last year I finally fulfilled my dream of wandering around Salzburg and reliving the movie. Today as I remember my father the one memory I hold dear is my sound of music experience and so with gratitude I watch the movie and feel happy many years after my father has gone and I am no longer a six year old ....memories such as this is what defines life and for that I am for ever grateful .