I have sweet memories of growing up in a large extended Italian family..My Grandmother had five sisters all with families.. Holidays were so much fun... My cheeks were pinched a lot and often!....there is only one of her sisters still alive and she is 91 now.

As i reflect on these old times, first off it seems like an eternity ago, secondly my memories are viewed through the eyes of a little kid and all the romanticism and childlike sort of ignorance that protects young hearts. All seemed perfect and good...My young mind couldn't imagine problems, trials and relational hardships being experienced by all the family whose love and presence made me feel so secure, like a little bird in its nest. I now know there were plenty of stresses and strains and personal drama's and even betrayals.....But at this moment I gladly file that stuff away and enjoy the aroma of my Italian family.....pass a meatball please...........

Aradhna plays Bhajo Re in Varanasi on September 4, 2010

As many of you know, my daughter Christina, her husband Suj and son Kavi are visiting Suj's family in Mumbai, India. I am trying to distract myself with various projects, but last night my husband Ray and Jenny and Rachel and myself went an hour away to downtown Birmingham to eat Indian food at our favorite restaurant Taj Curry House. The food was awesome as usual and after dinner we went nearby to see Aradhana , a band that plays classic Indian music with sitar, tabla,guitar and bass. Before the music started the band served up some delicious chai masala to everyone there. The venue was a large loft apartment in what used to be a old department store divided up in to apartments. Floor cushions were scattered with a few big couches for seating.The band was not made up of Indian guys, but non Indians, the sitar player having grown up in India with missionary parents.
I loved the fact that I was experiencing India separately together with Stina. And there were various Indian folks there adding to my across the world feel.
Christina told us about this event because she is friends with the band on facebook or we would never have even known about it. If you are reading this Christina, thanks for the hot tip for a wonderful fun night!