A Special Treasured Day at St. Stephen’s High School of Austin..

A Special Treasured Day at St. Stephen’s High School…

Indeed, it was a very special day and a new experience on Grandparent’s Day.  We felt honored to spend the time from morning till afternoon sitting with the high school students at St. Stephen’s School.

On March 24th, we had reached St. Stephen’s at 7:30 as per the invitation from the school.  An air of discipline struck upon entering the high school.  The arrangements from the parking lot to the back of the school were remarkable.

First of all, walking into the courtyard, we were greeted with music and instruments.  The auxiliary committee was present at registration table to hand us nametags and labels.  We also received a small booklet showing the schedule of the program.  Photographers were ready with decorated background of photos with the grandkids.  Then everyone was directed to the breakfast hall.

After the initial registration, everyone had to go to the classes.  We grabbed the chance to visit the library as that is my first choice! It was very well organized.  There was a table for “Book Fair” which was well attended.  I was looking for some poetry books and was overwhelmed to find an entire section of world poets!! I could not control the urge to capture a picture there.  I was much delighted to see books of poetry from Pablo Neruda to several accomplished poets from around the world. 

Soon after we were walking toward the Chapel and I found a surprise!  A very large painting of Krishna Radha was seen on the wall in the lobby of light pastries area which reflected the aim of oneness of world religion called “Sarvadharm Sambhav” in Sanskrit.  So happy to think that a pulse (heartbeat)  of all other countries’ culture is present in an American high school.

Next was the actual visit to the Chapel.  They welcomed all grandparents with very appropriate words of warmth, followed by the Arabian song with instrumental music.  The instructor’s expressions, gestures and directing hands were very harmonious and tuneful with the soft to loud music.  There was then the reading of “My Grandfather’s Blessings” which was very inspirational.  The session was complete with collective prayers.

Everyone then had to go to class with the grandchildren.  The first class was Latin in which a part of an article about Julius Caesar’s death was taught along with explanations of Latin words.  During that time, natural recollections of the classes from 50-55 years ago popped up in my mind.

Next class was Graphic Design. That was more interesting because it was in harmony with the present Technology and the truth of all joy is ‘today’, not yesterday! The next  was English Literature class. It consisted of inferences from the cover of an English novel, name “The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. and an analysis of the plot of a previously read chapter. Being a private school, there was only a class of few students so personal attention given by the teacher and the involvement of the students was noticeable. The joy of being a student once again was very evident on the faces of each grandparent.

At 12:30 lunch time, we had delicious lunch with all. Since the school is very big, facilities for rides in golf carts were kept at the site so that the grandparents are relieved from walking too much. In between, we got a chance to meet and talk to the teachers and the principal also. Thus, the whole day was full of glorious joy. The entire atmosphere and event were truly admirable, noteworthy and inspiring. We observed everywhere; discipline, politeness and humbleness of students, volunteers and in all staff members. We appreciate that a lot.

Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to St. Stephen’s School. We were fully satisfied  with great pride to celebrate the day with our precious GK, Vishal Dhruva and his Latin teacher – Mr. John Rocklin, Graphic Design teacher- Ms. Michelle Avery and English Teacher – Dr. Cordelia Ross.  It was really one of the memorable events.

March 28, 2023

Dialogs with Divine

1971…૫૦ વર્ષ પૂર્વે…

Today we were sitting in the backyard as always and were enjoying a cup of tea/coffee together. We started talking about completing 50 years of marriage and asked each other ‘Have we really walked these far?!” How?

And out of many answers we got true answers as under:

On Golden Jubilee..

Dialogs with Divine..

Have we walked 50 years together really on our own?

No; it was YOU who carried us and walked for us.

Have we made any plan to live?

Yes; But YOU turned into plan B better for us.

Are we successful by each phase of life?

Yes, we feel cause each time

YOU guided the right road to us.

Do we want to say or pray at this time?

May be not as you know and

More than we deserve,

YOU have always provided to us.

Do we wish something today?

On this Golden Jubilee Day?

Yes…As and when YOU call,

We want to reach & greet as pure as

YOU had sent us from There to Here

In this beautiful family and

This Wonderful World.

Let us bow our head together to YOU.

Devika & Rahul Dhruva
1/31/2021

Home- By Akash Dhruva

I am from the giant painting in our living room

From lamps and lights.

I am from the two story brick house

With the yankee candle smell.

I am from the blue bonnets in the back yard

And the oak tree…

the oak tree, whose long gone limbs I remember

as if they were my own.

I am from watching NFL games on Sunday

From riding my bike and sleeping late.

I’m from movie night Friday,

From tennis tournaments each month.

I’m from the Colorado ski trips each year,

From playing different guitar songs each day.

I am from my family.

By: Akash Dhruva

come with me…By Akash Dhruva

  Happy to share my Grandson’s poetry..                                   

 The Beach

come with me to the beach.
see the waves creep up on the sand
like a spider sneaking to attack.
Hear the waves crashing into each other,
Feel the toes in the water and
your back in the sand.
Smell the salty clams that have been
washed up to shore.
Taste the ice cold lemonade as you are
riding your bike across the sunrise.
See the sunset with the sun
lying half way above the horizon.

                                                                                By Akash Achal Dhruva

 

This poetry is connecting the five senses of human beings with natures’ various elements. It has come from the heart of 11 years young boy who is enjoying the inner part of nature with purity.

The beach, sand, waves, various form of sun and simily of those like spider, salty clams and ice cold lemonade show the different moods of a pre-youth mind. He has also beautifully drawn the pictures by words like waves creeping and crashing, sneaking spiders, bike riding boy and of lying the sun half way above the horizon.

Congratulations to Akash Dhruva.

Devika Dhruva