'You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine'

A Wonderful Story

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to assist her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown , Tennessee .

In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every ! minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville , Tennessee . The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst.

Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.

Michael however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. I want to sing to her, he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over.

Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket.

The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, 'Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed.' The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. 'He is not leaving until he sings to his sister' she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang:

'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray.' Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady.

'Keep on singing, Michael,' encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes.

'You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away.

As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr 'Keep on singing, sweetheart.'

'The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms'. Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her.

'Keep on singing, Michael.' Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed.

'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away...'

The next day...the very next day. The little girl was well enough to go home


Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song. The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.


Never give up on the people you love, it’s so incredibly powerful.




Courtesy : A Forwarded Mail

വീടുപേര്‍/Malayalam house names - part 3

നിങ്ങളില്‍ കുറെ പേര്‍ എന്റെ അസാനിധ്യത്തില്‍ വീട് പേരുകള്‍ അന്വേഷികുനുണ്ടായിരുന്നു അല്ലെ.. മാപ്പ്.. ഈയുള്ളവള്‍ അത് അറിഞ്ഞില്ല..

അതിന്റെ പ്രായിസ്ചിത്തം എന്നോണ്ണം ഇതാ കുറച്ചു പുതിയ വീട് പേരുകള്‍.. 

മാനസരോവര്‍	ദളമര്‍മരങ്ങള്‍	നീര്‍തടം
പളുങ്ക്	താരാപഥം	ഇന്ദീരം
ചെമ്പകകാവ്‌	ഓര്‍മചെപ്പ്	കൂടാരം
ഇളവന്നൂര്‍ മഠം	പാലിയത് കാവ്‌	കുടജാദ്രി
ഇന്ദീവരം	പാഞ്ചജന്യം	നീലാഞ്ജനം
വിനീതം	രാജരേഖ	ഓമനം
ദിവ്യം	നവീനം	പങ്കജം
രോചനം	പ്രയാഗം	നയനം
പല്ലവം	നികുന്ജം	സന്ജോഗം
നീഹാരം	സൌരവം	ശശാങ്കം
നീരജം	ശ്രേയം	സോഹനം
തിലകം	ഉധിതം	നവനീതം
ശ്രീ ഭവനം	അതുലം	മേഘം
നളിനം	അമോലം	സ്വപ്രിയം
ഗിരീശം	മയൂരം	ലോകം
മാണിക്യം	ഗീതം	അഭിനവം
കിരണം	രശ്മി	അമോഘം
ഗോവിന്ദം	ചൈതന്യം	ദീപം
ദേവാന്ഗം	പ്രീത്യം	അതുല്യം
അമൂല്യം	ചന്ദ്രഹാസം	ചന്ദനം

കൂടുതൽ വീട്ടുപേരുകൾ - Part 1 Part 2

Hahahaha.. booohahahaha..

ABCD is American Born Confused Desi... 


Then, what is ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ..


:-)


Think friends... 


American Born Confused Desi, Emigrated From Gujarat, Housed In Jersey, Keeping Lotsa Motels, Named Omkarnath Patel, Quickly Reached Success Through Underhanded Vicious Ways, Xenophobic Yet Zestful


Howzzat!!!

Romantic Countries ;-)

H.O.L.L.A.N.D. - Hope Our Love Lasts And Never Dies.

I.T.A.L.Y. - I Trust And Love You.

L.I.B.Y.A. - Love Is Beautiful; You Also.

F.R.A.N.C.E. - Friendships Remain And Never Can End.

C.H.I.N.A. - Come Here.. I Need Affection. 

B.U.R.M.A. - Between Us, Remember Me Always. 

N.E.P.A.L. - Never Ever Part As Lovers.

I.N.D.I.A. - I Nearly Died In Adoration. 

K.E.N.Y.A. - Keep Everything Nice, Yet Arousing.

C.A.N.A.D.A. - Cute And Naughty Action that Developed into Attraction

K.O.R.E.A . - Keep Optimistic Regardless of Every Adversity.

E.G.Y.P.T. - Everything's Great, You Pretty Thing!

M.A.N.I.L.A. - May All Nights Inspire Love Always. 

P.E.R.U. - Phorget Everyone... Remember Us.

T.H.A.I.L.A.N.D - Totally Happy. Always In Love And Never Dull.  

Courtesy:- A FWD mail

Friday Fruitism : Papaya

Picture Courtesy : fruitsage.com

What a colorful fruit! I used to hate it, and all in my family used to love it. It has immense power and potential in itself to heal our body. It is sweet, soft, butter-like and even considered exotic, hence rightly named "Fruit of the Angels" by Christopher Columbus. It is also called "papaw" or "pawpaw".

 

The fruit is on an average 7 inches long, but it can grow even up to 20 inches. The tree grows to 5-10 meters. The peak season is during summer and fall, but nowadays, you can find it all year through in the markets. Even its seeds are edible, but they do have a bitter taste. Most part of the tree is said to contain an enzyme "papain" which helps to digest proteins. The fruit contains max amount of the enzyme when it is not ripe.

Papaya contains:-

• Antioxidants like Vitamin C and carotenes
• B vitamins like folate
• Minerals like potassium and magnesium
• Lots of Vitamin A
• Fiber

In addition, it doesn't contain any fat or cholesterol and is low in sodium.

 

Health Benefits:-

• Aids digestion and digestive disorder treatment, preventing constipation and ulcers (even seeds help in expelling worms when taken with honey)
• Improves the Immune system hence gets rid of cold or flu easily
• Protect kidneys in cases of toxicity-induced kidney failure
• May even prevent growth of cancerous cells in colon, liver, etc. (studies have indicated)
• Prevents heart problems caused from diabetes or cholesterol, even lowers cholesterol levels
• Prevents nausea and morning sickness
• Reduces pain in diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis

Cosmetic Benefits:-

• Prevents premature aging by restricting wrinkles.
• Brightens and lightens skin color.
• Reduces pimples, acne and pores in skin.
• Heals cuts, stings, rashes or burns.
• Supplements for food during dieting. 
• Controls and limits dandruff in hair.
• Reduces menstrual irregularities in women (raw papaya).

Even the stem and bark are also used for purposes like rope production.

 

When choosing a papaya, look for one that is fairly large, half yellow or more, and slightly soft. It should yield to gentle palm pressure. Avoid papayas that are too soft, or those that have scars or blemishes.

 

Quick Serving Tips:- 

• Dice papaya and sprinkle little lime juice.
• Add diced papaya into a fruit salad.
• Make a smoothie with papaya, strawberries and yohurt.
• Make a dip by mixing papaya, coriander leaves, green peppers and ginger.

If you love to eat papaya, then the benefits have no boundaries. No part of the plant/fruit goes unused. So, have a bite friends!

Tuesday Trauma : Conjunctivitis

Image Courtesy : Wiki

Pink Eyes/Madras Eyes

There is a thin transparent membrane covering the front of the eye called the Conjunctiva. The inflammation of this membrane produces Conjunctivitis. It constitutes the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. Mainly, in this infection, the white part of the eyes turn red, this is because when the eye becomes irritated or infected, the tiny blood vessels dilate and turn red. It can be due to bacterial, viral or even allergic reactions. It spreads from person to person when in direct contact and is also known as "Sore Eyes".

This is seen in quite many places nowadays; hence thought of writing about it.

Major symptoms can be:-

• discharge of yellow color fluid or pus from the eyes (may cause eyelashes to be stuck together)
• pain in the eye
• eyes turn reddish in color
• sensitivity to light
• itchy feeling
• watery eyes
• burning sensation
• dryness
• swelling of eyes
  

Probable causes can be:-

• viral infection due to cold or sore throat
• unclean hand-to-eye contact especially in overcrowded and unhygienic surroundings
• over usage of non-prescription eye drops
• direct contact with an infected person
• smoke, dust or pollen
• overstraining of eyes
• allergies
• contact lens trapping unwanted particles inside itself

Remedies (from home itself):-

• To give a little relief to the eyes, place these over it intermittently-
• slices of peeled potatoes
• cloth soaked in aloevera juice or curd
• moist green/black tea-bag
• cold bread
• Castor oil can be used as an eye drop
• Boil fennel seeds or dried coriander in water and use as an eye-wash
• Honey can either be used as an eye-drop or it can be boiled in water and used as an eye-wash
• Having Gooseberry juice with honey or Carrot+Spinach juice can be highly beneficial
• Washing the eyes with cool water
• Have lots of fresh fruits like papaya (boosts immunity), mango, orange, etc.
• Make the diet rich in Vitamin A and B2; include stuffs like milk, curd, butter, almonds and green veggies

Little Tips:-

• Avoid sharing pillows, clothes, towels.
• Keep bedsheets and clothes clean by washing often.
• Don't pester your eyes by putting your fingers into them always; and then touching all other places.
• Keep yourself clean and aloof from other diseases.
• Use sunglasses if going out in sunlight.

Keep yourself aloof from this quite infectious irritating disease....friends! Take Care.

Friday Fruitism : Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a very colorful fruit and no one can detest its sweet juice. Who won’t love it? The ruby-colored seeds inside a pomegranate are a breathtaking sight. But, you do have to pick the really good one in order to like the fruit. Even though the fruit is so sweet whatever brand of juice that I used to buy was always bitter; maybe they didn’t get really ripe pomegranates. 

However, as always, eating the fruit is the better choice as it outshines the benefit of drinking its juice.

It is also known as Granada in Spanish and Grenade in French. It grows into a shrub or a small tree mostly in hot climate areas. The astonishing fact is that this tree can remain for many years. You really need not put much effort into the maintenance and care of the tree. The fruits are ripe when they have developed a distinctive color and make a metallic sound when tapped. The fruits must be picked before over maturity when they tend to crack open, particularly when rained on. The pomegranate is equal to the apple in having a long storage life. If kept under proper temperature, they remain for several months. The fruits improve in storage, becoming juicier and more flavorful.

In one pomegranate -

• there is around 100 calories and only about 25g of sugar
• provides lot of antioxidants and fiber (it contains three times more antioxidants than green tea or red wine)
• gives potassium, vitamins A, E, C and folic acid

Its advantages and benefits are innumerable:-

• Prevents heart disease and cholesterol
• Tones up your immune system
• Arteries are freed of build ups, hence reducing heart attack and strokes
• Works as a blood thinner improving blood flow to the heart
• Improves blood pressure levels
• Reduce diarrhea and some fevers
• Root bark treats intestinal parasites like tapeworm
• Prevents dental plaque
• Fights Osteoarthritis by rebuilding damaged cartilage

It also finds a place in making dye (flowers), tanning leather (rind) and preparing oil for beautiful skin (seeds). It has also been found fruitful in cancer treatments and prevention.

People dislike its seeds or the way we have to take away the seeds in order to eat it. Since it easily gets all our hands and we get irritated, we refrain from eating it. An easy way to let off the seeds is to cut the pomegranate into two or four, holding it skin upside seed downside with one hand and striking it with the holder of a knife (holding the knife reverse) or a wooden spatula. With regard to the white tissue in between the seeds, put them in water and the pith will separate out on its own, then the water can be drained off. Try it once!

Image Courtesy : life123.com