Today my mother told me that one of the pots in her kitchen is as old as I am (40) and it was worth rupees 19.

I always marvel at her memory, that too at the age of 68. She knows the ages and prices of most objects in our home, no matter how old they are.

I think it is due to her care and affection with which she treats them. As a result, these things want to stay longer and longer with us and need little maintenance. It saves a lot of money too. My early retirement partly owes to this loving atmosphere at home as I needed to spend lesser time on earning.