….G.R.A.T.I.T.U.D.E. for everything and nothing in particular.

Concluding this month’s daily gratitude journaling. Thank you for walking along with me.

Both the kids have their moments of dodging and manipulating but when it comes to school work and study habits, they mean business.

After he has had his quota of morning reading time snuggled under a cosy comforter, Ram comes down dressed up for the day. If it is remote week, he sets up his work space at the dining room, and checks his Google Classroom for the day’s schedule and sets an alarm on Alexa for the start of school day. When he is logged in, we are not allowed to move as much as a bowl or open the sink tap in the kitchen. He turns on his virtual background, actively participates in class, and will sush us away should we distract him in any manner. He has made technology his friend and has explored all possible tools and shortcuts. He does what he is required to do, whether it is synchronous or asynchronous learness, regardless of being on mute or not. Early on, we learnt that it is not a good idea for me to sit in his place of learning. I was tempted to nudge him, and he was prone to using me as his classmate bouncing off ideas. Even then, I occasionally eavesdrop and take immense delight in listening to classroom conversations and gossip. 

Hari has made the home office his cosy nest. We are not allowed in his room because he is on camera most times and which high schooler would want to be caught with his family in the background? Most of his learning is self study . He cannot afford to stop with what he is taught at school as only 50-60% of the curriculum is supported through classroom instruction. He knows he has to go above and beyond now to be able to keep up with demands of next two years of schooling. True to a typical teenagers’ physiology, he is in full form after eight at night when he does his most challenging work, and collaborates with his friends. He stands pretty firm even when we entice him into doing things outside of school work. 

Time will only tell how this year’s condensed learning will pan out in the long term. Rest assured, the pandemic has taught them the life long skill of being proactive and taking responsibility for their learning. My eternal gratitude for that. I am grateful to the kids for being studious and having good work ethics; the weight on our shoulders is that much lighter because of that.

Our home has truly been our sanctuary during the pandemic. Each of us have been able to make a nook for ourselves where we can work productively and efficiently. Hari has taken over the home office, Da the basement, and yours truly the family room. Ram’s workspace is in the dining room so he is within someone’s earshot should he need help. Our living room has transformed into a dance studio, a karate center, or a guitar class based on the need of the hour. Our patio has allowed us to have a couple of socially distanced visitors over the summer break.  

Immense gratitude for our home that has literally provided us space in togetherness.

Within our smaller family unit of four, even though we live under the same roof, being together for an extended period was more uncommon than you would think in the pre-pandemic days. Our individual plates were often overloaded. There was always some class to go to and some volunteering that would come at the cost of family time. When we came back home we were too exhausted to spend time with each other. 

With the pandemic, all activities are happening over Zoom. There is less physical fatigue and juggling required, which means we have more opportunities to spend time with each other. We have watched loads of TV together – The Great British Bake Off, the Star Wars series, the Harry Potter series, the Mandolorian, the Meet the Robinsons, the Hunger Games, the Disney movies, and so many more. When we had briefly suspended the services of our cleaner, we divided and conquered the weekend cleaning chores and then later extended the same to gardening. The kids indulged us with their occasional baking and cooking. Da became quite the expert in making soda bread and we have our Saturday night pizzas to look forward to. We spent several evenings playing UNO and carrom board. We explored local trails, played frisbee and talked gibberish. Summer was full with long work days and longer work weeks spilling into weekends. Even then, just being physically present in the same setting made a difference and took the edge off. 

Prior to the pandemic, I would call up my parents a couple of times every week. Calling them every alternative day has become the new normal with the pandemic. I have enjoyed discussing politics and current events with my dad. I have borrowed menu ideas from my mom and taken delight listening to her YouTube adventures. I have loved learning how they have reconnected with cousins and former colleagues during the pandemic via WhatsApp. I keep them posted on what precautions are recommended here. They tell me about the restrictions and how they are using local resources to work around the pandemic constraints. 

Likewise similar ties with our siblings and their families were forged during the pandemic. A couple of reunions with classmates from school and college happened. Conversations went past beyond “you look the same” to discussing contemporary issues. 

I am thankful for the foundation of long distance relationships with family and friends that have helped us cope up and manage these socially isolating times. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for intimate moments, conversations and togetherness with near and dear ones that have nourished us mentally and emotionally and enabled us to do our part in the pandemic.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

Grateful for the little moments of joy and relief that this week brought. 

• We are experimenting with lighting the house with solar powered serial lights. Da bought pretty cute ones shaped like stars and flowers that are hanging inside and outside the house. Thank you Da for the novelty and for infusing the house with some holiday cheer! 

• Promised Land by Obama Barack arrived. It’s a pretty volumounus book and it’s going to take a long time to finish but I’m thrilled to get my hands on it. 

• I have taken the week off this week. I had to tie some loose ends on Monday but otherwise not doing anything more than glancing at the emails trickling in. So very thankful to get away from work for these few days and have a change of pace and routine. 

• Such a relief to hear the cabinet announcements by Biden. Some semblance of normalcy with qualified, accomplished, competent, and thoughtful leaders in top positions. The pandemic and its aftermath could use all the bright minds that it can receive. 

Normally spring is the busiest time of the year for us. Academics and extra curricular activities tend to ramp up in school. Baseball and soccer seasons start. So do cricket practices.  Our weekends in spring are spent hopping from one sports to another. We are barely able to keep our heads above water. Not this spring though. All extra activities were canceled. No grand challenge for Destination Imagination. No scouts for the rest of the year. No sports for both the kids. Things slowed down like never before. It was surreal but part of me was greatful for the gift of time and freedom from all these commitments. It gave us a chance to become homebodies. Deep gratitude!