Interesting, how we connect..

 A typical Saturday evening, I stepped out once to pick up groceries and later again to pick up a Birthday gift for an event the next day. And once again, as I had forgotten to pick up the pant from the tailor. And during the last ride back, it just stuck to me, why did we did miss inviting this family for Ganesh Chaturthi.  

This family happens to be Mr Xavier (Catholic family) who stay down our road. The thinking was triggered as they had invited us for Christmas (in 2025) so that we can see the decorated Christmas Tree. It has been almost 6 years since we have moved to this place, we still are figuring out and getting to know the neighborhood. Thanks to Covid, our move in 2020 was quite silent and with limited interactions. 

Xavier's grand kids often played with Anirudh. They all liked football and hence the quick connect. Yes, the kids get along faster as the expections are limited. Even though Anirudh is officially in college, he still takes time in the weekend, to play with them for few minutes. 

It was through Anirudh that we got the invite for the Christmas. We got along well, even on our first interaction. A long converstaion exchanging experiences, mostly trips outside of India. Xavier and his wife have traveled a lot. A little more was around Jerusalem, Israel as we could relate more. Supriya and I were always Awed with details of how Jesus's Via Doloros (the path taken to his cruicification) has been preserved both historical and relegious needs. Xavier family could connect more religiously to Jerusalem as we to History. (Bethlahem was not in our visit, as it was in Palestine)  

Ganesh Chaturthi was last Monday, and it has been almost a week. Why did I get the thought of missing out to invite, or should we at all have invited them, or should we invite then for the next event? 

Today (Sunday) morning, we got to know that Xavier had passed away yesterday evening (4:30pm). Visited his home and Supriya spent some time talking to Mrs Xavier. Apparently, we got to know from her, that Xavier was keen on coming over to our place for Ganesh Chaturti. 

As we speculated, more, Supriya said "I did not even know, it they were Ok to be part of our festivity". Yes, they were very relegious but I found them equally spiritual. Still remember Xavier talking about a miracle in a way his daughter's birth was predicted by a Saint/Father in Tamil Nadu. Also the time his wife had issues with health, and how he got (spriritual) directions in avoiding a surgery. 

The more, I think, its very surprising, how people connect, inspite having different belief systems and opposite thoughts. 

We will be missing Mr Xavier and his pratical approach towards life.