Dan Rather and RBG

Around last presidential election, Dan Rather showed up on my FaceBook feed quite frequently as a couple of friends liked or shared his posts. Intrigued, I too started following him. For the most part, he provides commentary on the political scenario although there are times when he writes about sports and science. And what a find he has been! His words not only inspire but also therapeutic, the kind that comes from someone who has seen more of life and has wizened up as a result of that. He is level headed, gives hope when the world around is in despair, and he always always reminds you to take a look at the big picture and to never ever give up.

A couple of weeks back I watched the RBG movie/documentary. Please do yourself a favor and watch this one. We are all lucky to have someone like her in our lifetime. She made her mark against all odds in a male dominated profession and shed light on gender discrimination. Of all the things she said, the one that stands out is how her law studies gave her respite from her child and how her child gave her respite from work. 

My deepest gratitude to Dan Rather and RBG for being such strong, fierce, personalities that we all can look upto and take comfort in.  God bless them!

Life experiences

I have a diverse set of family and friends. Diversity in terms of life experiences – adoption, special needs, transgender, degenerative disease, loss of a loved one. I bow in respect and raise my hands to salute them for their courage, and resilience. Because of them, I look at life not just from my lens but theirs too. Because of them, I know “normal” is the most overrated term. Because of them, I am more empathetic and less judgmental. Because of them, I know everyone is fighting a battle, quitely and bravely, and a little kindness goes a long way. Because of them, I am a better human being. My heartfelt gratitude. 

Routine, and sometimes the lack of it!

My routine is my anchor. Without my routine, I am drifting away, not knowing where I am going. I like our Mon-Wed routine of eating salads, working hard, and being disciplined. I also like my Thu-Fri routine when we tend to loosen up a bit, and go easy on ourselves. Then of course, we have the Sat-Sun routine of extracurricular activities, family time, and getting ready for the week. Whenever we follow our routine, our day to day business operates like a well-oiled machinery. Thank god for that, what would I do without my routine!

Too much of this routine, and I am itching to break free. The routine that is comforting becomes tiresome. Even a well oiled machinery needs some down time every once in a while to keep it going. And that is why I am thankful for months like November and December when long weekends and school breaks give us the freedom to slowdown a bit and do something that’s not routine. 

Bakshanam

In all my years of being married, I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I have not made elaborate bakshanams for Deepavali. It just was not priority enough. Some years we did not celebrate, other years I did not plan ahead, and then there were some years when the mere thought of making the sweets and savories was daunting. This year, it’s a different story though. I have made bakshanams two full days ahead of Deepavali. So very uncharacteristic of me! What did I make you ask? Mullu murukku, diamond biscuits, besan laddu and badam barfi.

Today’s thanks goes to:

  • My amma. She labored in the kitchen all day making bakshanam for Janmashtmi when she was here. She has either done or assisted in making seedai atleast for the past four decades yet she did it with humility and did not just assume that they will turn out stellar. That taught me to take bakshanam making exercise with a little more respect instead of my rather brazen attitude because you know bakshanams are notorious for disasters.
  • Again amma. For writing the recipes for the bakshanams just before she left. It came in very handy and gave me the much needed starting point to plunge into the ordeal.
  • My patti for making bakshanam so very often in our early years of growing up. Thatha would always pop the bakshanam from his dabara into my mouth.  So whenever I eat a bakshanam, I think of thatha fondly. 
  • My friends for being on call and clarifying my novice bakshanam making related questions.
  • Last but not the least, bakshanams themselves for not turning out to be a disaster. Sarvam Shrikrishnarpanam!

Conveniences

The weather outside is gloomy. I am craving for something South Indian, something that’s piping hot and nutritious, and most importantly, it must not take more than 10 mins of my time as I am in the middle of a work day.  I toss in a ladle full of steel cut oats, a quarter ladle of toor dhal, some frozen corn and half-a-chopped carrot, in a stainless steel vessel. I pour some water, a spoon of salt and sambar powder, and place the vessel on the trivet in the instapot and set the timer for 15 mins. Job done, off I go for my work call, and come down in another 45 mins. Tada, pressure cooked, piping hot, nutritious, South Indian lunch is ready. Not in a jiffy, but certainly done with ease. 

Today, my gratitude goes to the every day conveniences – instapot, remote controls, dishwasher, washing machine, wet grinder, electric toothbrush, online shopping… I don’t think about them until they break down but without them, my routine would go haywire.

Second Chances

A friend of a friend went on his usual jog, the usual route;  just a little later than his usual time. He was struck by a car and he died on the spot. He is survived by his wife, who is about my age, and by his kids, nearly as old as my older and younger ones. A family’s life changed overnight. Just like that, for no rhyme or reason, for no fault of theirs.

They were the mom and daughter duo that everyone talked about. Their affection for each other stood out at all times. The mom was diagnosed with cancer and she lost her battle within the next three or four months. She was all flesh and blood, a proud mom, not so long ago.  Today, she lives in her daughters’ heart.  Who would have thought? 

Such is life! As random as randomness can be, isn’t it? As you go through life, you hear such stories. Things that hit closer to home, events that give a knock on your head and leave you shell shocked. And when life does that to you, you learn to be thankful for who you are and what you are blessed with. You learn to be humble. You learn not to sweat the small stuff. You learn to take note of the second chances. 

I am kick starting this years’ month long thanksgiving posts by offering thanks to the universe and the powers above for the second, third, fourth, fifth and the gazillion chances that I have been given in life. For the luxury of a clean slate, a fresh start, and new beginnings.  Time and again. 

Little Moments

I am blanking out, last week feels like a big blur that I have no memory of. Let me try giving it a shot.

  • I didn’t mean to but I happened to watch Dr. Ford’s testimony and hearing on Thursday. Authentic is the word that comes to mind.  On display was civic duty of the highest order. Role models come in different shapes and forms, and at unexpected times. I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to watch the live streaming as it unraveled. Watching the hearing was also a revelation – the difference between seeing something first hand and forming your own opinions versus learning something through media and your conclusions being colored by it, is simply humongous – a big AHA moment for me!
  • We had Ram’s Back To School night this week. I think I have told you how much I love going to classrooms of any kind.  I love staring at all the posters, the classroom constitution, the desk arrangement… all the things that reflect the values of the teacher and lend a personality to the class.
  • This year, after much reluctance, I am volunteering to be a room parent with the goal to being more engaged in Ram’s learning experience. It’s easier for me to be focused on my task rather than socializing. But I have come to realize the making connections is important and makes any work more meaningful. I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone here.
  • Talking of volunteering, when I was explaining my volunteering pursuits to an acquaintance, she commented that I am all over the place. It was an innocent comment that she made in passing but I found it refreshing. I will use it as a mantra to  stop me on my tracks every once in a while by way of reality check – am I all over the place? Am I doing busy work (a term that Da always cautions me about) or meaningful work?

Tudlu for now. Take care, take it easy, and be happy!

Milestones

This year is a milestone year in our family. My twin, Sathya, and I turned 40 in April. Amma turned 60 in August. Appa is turning 70 today!

Happiest of birthdays to appa. He is someone who knows class, and has a keen eye for details. Whatever he does, he does it thoroughly, with discipline, giving his all. If you want to go shopping, he is the man you should go with. He would point out nuances that would not have crossed your mind in your wildest dreams.  He is an astute observer, who especially loves keeping track of directions and routes. Best of all, he has golden heart, and loves his family and friends fiercely and intensely. To a man of quality, wishing the finest quality of life that life has to offer. Wishing you happiness, good health and peace of mind.

I missed writing on amma’s b’day. Amma amazes me with her ability to adapt and reinvent herself. UNO, pretend games, lazer tag, painting, – she lapped it all this time! I am mighty proud of you amma, and I wish you with all the things that you wish for, now and always.

Little Moments Thursday

  • Kids had a day off and I took a day off for Yom Kippur yesterday. Much fun was had lunching at a favorite restaurant and hopping over to arcade center later. It was my first time playing laser tag, and now I understand why they keep wanting to go back!
  • Ram and I started reading Harry Potter. What fun! Hari never took to Harry, it would be kind of cool if Ram’s interest sustains!
  • Had a lunch meeting with old colleagues. All my team members are based in company headquarters, and the kind of work that I do does not require as much interaction with other team members. So I confess, it does get lonely sometimes. I very much miss the face to face human interaction.
  • Reconnecting with friends that I have not talked in a while. While I don’t very much enjoy partying, I do love connecting with friends on a one on one basis and having meaningful conversations. Getting back into that rhythm feels good!
  • This year I am running the Diwali event in our town with a couple of other like minded people. I am neither a Diwali person nor a party girl, yet I love love being part of something from beginning to end and seeing it all take shape.
  • Cleaning the house – I love sweeping the floor, putting things in place, and seeing things in order. I am not a slave to cleanliness or orderliness but quite like being its master.  
  • Ram has moved on to next swim level. Gold star to the child!
  • Instead of scrambling in the morning for a decent shirt to wear for school Picture Day, this time we bought one when we did our back-to-school shopping. Mighty proud of myself!