What feelings does today’s word prompt Childhood invoke in me?? Obviously my amazing childhood in the Tea Fields of Sri lanka.
For most, Sri Lanka would mean, Tropical climate, hot and humid. Well, true for most parts of the country. The pearl of the Indian Ocean, the island called Sri Lanka has it’s Paradise set in the middle of the country. As you travel to the middle of the country, the upcountry as they call it, you are in awe of this pure natural beauty. With it’s typical English weather, light drizzle, Pine trees (instead of Coconut trees) and waterfall.
…..
Lush green tea fields, light mist popping out of the mountains, it is barely morning, all the little ones rugged up in jumpers and beanies, we await for the bus that takes us to our school.
This is no ordinary bus. This bus journey, the whole experience is not the norm. This bus is owned by TRI (Tea Research Institute). And this particular journey in the morning is just for the school kids of the TRI staff. Somapala on the wheels and Peter (late) as conductor our parents put the trust and confidence in the two gentleman to take their precious angels to various schools in NuwaraEliya. The bus drops us in the respective schools and awaits in NE until end of school.
Driving in the hill country is not for the fainthearted, nor for the Colombo cowboy in the flash car. The roads are very narrow and set right on the edge of the cliff. Add to that, a thick fog makes it a very challenging drive. But for all this unlike in Colombo or any other part of Asia, not that many accidents, but almost all prangs have been fatal. These drivers here are extremely skilled and very professional, hence the infrequency of accidents. They know that there is no room for error, a small error in judgement,and you are at the bottom of the cliff, looking straight at the doorsteps of judgement day.
My play area on the weekend was my dad’s Lab – Bio Chemistry Department. I swapped beakers and centrifugal machines for dolls. My Utopia.
Uma's life and thoughts 
Uma dear, I never knew you went through so much turmoil, yet so courageously and come out of it all victoriously. I have been communicating with you during the last few years, seeing your posts in FB, but none of them showed any thing other than a cheerful loving face.
You do write so beautifully. I admire your writing.God Bless you.
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Thank you so much, i don’t see the point in moping around, when i look around i see sadness and happiness at the same time, many have helped me cope in my hardest times and if i can bring a bit hope, happiness then I am paying it forward,
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Uma , you are a naturally gifted writer , you should after this get into writing short stories . I am glad and honored to be your friend , i feel a sense of pride knowing you ,and great sadness for the suffering you have endured in the past few years , you have been very brave to endure such pain and sickness without making much of a song a dance about it. I know my friend is luckiest man alive to have someone like you , even though he does not display it always. Love your work keep up the positive outlook you have in everything you do and say. You have no idea the positive influence you invoke on others around you. I am glad we are friends . thank you .
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I am tearing up reading this, thank you so much
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