Miniature ballerinas

Magic happened one day when I was lying in Sampurna’s arms with my head on her chest—flakes of snow started appearing. They danced their way down like miniature ballerinas, softly and quietly and in no hurry to touch the earth. It seemed like a gift from the heavens as they floated on air and kissed the window panes. We kept on watching the snow as it descended on the courtyard. After almost two hours, the courtyard turned completely white. London experienced its heaviest snowfall in ten years.

—God Behind the Firewall

Bentonville is no London, I'm no Arun (the protagonist in the novel), and I'm all by myself. However, it’s the same with snowfalls. As I looked through the window panes early in the morning, flakes of snow started appearing. They danced their way down like miniature ballerinas, softly and quietly and in no hurry to touch the earth. It seemed like a gift from the heavens as they floated on air and kissed the window panes. I kept on watching the snow as it descended on the parking lot. I witnessed snowfall, for the first time in Bentonville.

Arkansas – The Natural State

It’s not without reason that Arkansas is called The Natural State—mountains, rivers, falls, streams, and hot springs have been sprinkled like pixie dust by Tinker Bell. There is only one thing that you'll need, in order to follow the trail left by Tinker Bell—wanderlust … actually on second thoughts … there's another thing you'll need … a car.

So I took my car and followed the pixie dust trail and ….

I found a falls that reminded me of the boundless energy and disarming innocence of my son.

I witnessed a sunset over a lake that reminded me of the beauty and grace of my wife.

I witnessed the colors of the fall that reminded me of the harmony and bonding that we share as a family.

It seems that Arkansas can bring out the best in me—the best dad and the best hubby. And I’m not trying to be cute; I’m making a point here.