Dearest Steve my freind,
I loose nothing if I flatter someone or get flattered as it makes both sides happy. After that post episode, I have decided never ever to get angry on the forum or in real life. I have started off on a new mantra and it really works. The mantra is just agree with everything - even if you are wrong accept its you fault, if someone abuses you just say it must be true- just accept things as they are and never ever loose your cool. Try it -you will see how it works.
If Sonya tells me she is going for a movie - I never say no, if she says she is going to be late from work or an outing I just say okay and dont ask any more questions. Even hen she returns or anything else, I never ask as to what happened or how the evening went off - what did she eat, was the movie good - nothing. Even as far as my sons are concerned I have become too weary to give lessons and talks to them - so I have stopped. If they need something - I tell them to go to Sonya as I have nothing left - no money, no house, no bike, no car - its al theirs -so its Sonya who should decide what has to be done.
I really enjoy this forum but have become very careful of what to put down as what is good for you may be bad for someone else - so I follow the middle path and am quite happy that way.

Adding to the flattery bit - I always mean what I say and say things without rancour. This is what I learnt after the cancer hit me and resurfaced. I am a very content person in the manner I have lived (I keep sayin that) and even now I continue to live the same way - due a bit subdued. Flattery comes naturally to me and guess thats why I had so many girlfriends and got me everything! Now who would not like that? So now you have found out my secret on getting on in life!!!I am just joking Steve - before you too start taking anything too seriously and think I am just prodding you. You know me and my sense of humor so dont ever get bugged with what I say as it is always said with good intentions. If I can help someone - I see no reason why I cannot share their pain as I know what it is to be going through this cancer trauma - just as you. Its become second nature to me and I just carry on the way I have always been.

What have you been upto? I am not going to talk about any trips but tell me how is your daughter? I hope she is happy and so are you. It would be nice if you did keep in touch more often - as I for one will always reply.
Lots of love, pecks on the cheek along with a bear sized hug,
Ananth

Ananth,
Now come on my friend......you love to be flattered ;-)))). So do I !!! ...I would venture to say that we all do. Its the nature of those of us with big egoes. So I think flattery will get those everywhere with you! I think your great!
My daughter is doing well and is now on a trip for 2 weeks in Peru. She thinks that graduating college entitles her to travel all over the world at my expense and she knows I never say "NO" to her even when I initially say no. She lives the life of a Princess and I want to come back in my next life as her. I decided that I didn't want to interfere with your reunion when I arrived in Barcelona for just a few days. Didn't think you sounded like you were really up for company.
I hope your doing ok and things are as well as they can be for you under the circumstances of your current situation. I feel for you Ananth, and I'm sorry that your having to go through so much with this awful disease that inflicts so much misary on everyone who comes in contact with it. Their is nothing nice about it. Even your e-mail to me sounds as if you are feeling very subdued and that is very understandable under the circumstances. Hang in their Ananth, you make many and or some of the people here happy most and or some of the time;-)))). Yes....I do see that your trying to behave yourself lately. And I do appreciate the peck on the cheeks and the bear hugs too having come from an Italian family by origin.
Luv, kisses on the cheeks and a very big hug to you too, Steven

Dear Steve,
Hi Once again. Trust me I am not subdued at all and am still full of fun and life. I just wanted to have peace on the forum and hence my post - which I honestly did mean. I know how its with kids- even when you say no to them for anything -the very next moment they have this knack of getting you say yes. We are both in the same boat!
Oh yeah - I guess you got the feeling of my being more subdued because of the damn cold which is really unbearable and am just waiting for summer to srrive - provided I am still around to enjoy the sun ..... but then Ananth is immortal and as the book you will read soon enough - "for men may come and men may go, but I go on forever".

You know strangely enough I never once questioned myself by asking why me? I just accepted it and took things in a positive manner. I calmed down the pace I was living at, took out all my clothes from my suitcase and began to see life in a different way. Then again there was nothing else left in my life to do that I had missed out on.

So here once again I am going to sign off with the pecks on both the cheeks and a big bear hug and want to see you keep posting (it would be great if you tested my general knowledge - I am flattering myelf again!!
Ananth