Tiffin Tales 113

Hola...

The rains, the clouds, the small appearances of the sun is marking our spring as we look from our window. Today is almost 45th day of staying indoors. While we keep less track of the date but we try to hold on positivity more firmly with each passing day. The world never envisioned of something outlandish situation like this. Human beings are advised to be inside while other species can comfortably enjoy the nature. Such is the anathema of mankind on earth that peacocks are dancing again on a busy road and rivers are flowing minus the dumpsters.

This is all about corona stories. This morning I was reading about a story of a girl. It's random story about a girl through her eyes and her journey. I do not remember her name or may be it could be her pseudonym too. She says a poor girl without much talent and money cannot have real friends in life. She grew up in a very ordinary family and by luck's stroke went to a school which was high by their standards. The other kids who went to that school mostly came from financially strong families. She wasn't academically bright either. The other kids socialized and celebrated birthdays while she never really celebrated her's. She was rarely invited to those parties and no one remembered her birthday too. However she had two friends who used to check with her from time to time. Her house never had too many visits from her friends too. School days passed while she wished for some many things which was so normal for her peers. She walked from her school while other kids waved her from their vehicles. They enjoyed ice cream on summer days but she used to politely put down request when offered. She never threw tantrums at home fearing that her parents would be hurt. She was mostly cornered in discussions because she was not cool in any sense. But she never protested, hid tears and sailed through her school life.

Luck chased wherever she went. All along her educational life she came across many students who liked her, spoke to her but never got too close to her. She couldn't throw any ice cream or pizza party or carry any personal phones to stay in touch either. Affording makeups was bulky on the pockets for her and visiting salons was restricted only for special occasions because her parents asked her so. So her life style choices was funneled down and so was her topic of talks with her peers. When you do not have too many common choices its unmistakeable that people will be just courteous to you. She never complained to anyone. Oh yes, she says she never had any male attention either. Perhaps there were but no one thought of dating her, may be...

Years later when all of her peers have settled in their lives she still reminisces them. These days, courtesy social media it's possible to catch a glimpse of her peer's lives but most of them do not respond to her wishes and pleasantries. She feels again cornered too. They hold important job titles while she is happily settled in her life minus a job. They still ignore her and she is hurt but feels they all were a part of her childhood. Her level of excitement to talk or stay in touch is never matched by her batch mates.

This girl has questioned about friendship rules. Now that when her daughter is growing up she wants to advise her. It is indisputable that some people will always hurt but that should not be a sign of not forming friendship. She has made peace with her life and circumstances. She doesn't feel attached to her friends anymore barring one or two. She juggles between her childhood and her daughter's childhood. She can afford a lot more materialistic things for her daughter which were amiss from her childhood but things are never any parameters for making friends. She repeatedly questions "is having wealth a sign of being a happy friend?'

We all know or have a few friends in our lives that have stood by us through all seasons and weathers and some are fortunate to have them life long. In this fast paced life we all get tied up by various circumstances and it's those few friends who silently walk with us even though we cannot talk or meet frequently.

This story has forced me to think from many levels. How will I manage my kids or explain the consequences if left with not too many friends? Are all friends real? How to distinguish or will time teach them? I am scratching my mind...If you have any pointers, feel free to share.

Till then stay indoors and stay safe....

Tiffin Tales 112

I want to sleep but cannot sleep. I want my dreams to be pleasant but they are not. I want to plan a lot of things but unable to do. I want to write but my words are curling up. I am confused but do not know the exact reason(s). I want to order stuff online but do not get any delivery window open.

As I write these lines I am simultaneously surfing through the websites as to who can deliver my groceries. I do not want to go shopping but don't know how long can I manage without stepping out. I am not sure what these feelings mean but it always feels good to toss the words and dish out to complete strangers.

The weather has been deceitful too. It looks sunny outside but out there its windy and cold. The sunny day still stops me from stepping outside even I though all I want is to take a simple stroll.

It's so easy to complain as I did now but the frontline workers at this moment do not even have time to sit think and complain perhaps. They are working and perhaps overworking and do not get adequate time with their families either. How selfish of me to think of my problems when they are thinking about the masses!

I try to keep my mind at peace by constantly thinking that its's also a phase and we have to sail through. We have to engage our minds which gets challenging at times. So many thoughts keep creeping up time and again and keeping them at bay is a protest in itself.

This morning I tried to meditate. Please trust me when I say it really helps. The thoughts of the welfare of my loved ones who are so far from me disturbs a lot. Meditation didn't answer my fears but calmed my senses to an extent. The day seemed a bit productive too. I chatted with some old friends, cleaned some of the mess which the kids make and I was ignoring from the last few days.

So I am hoping that going forward I will try to meditate everyday for sometime. It will be 'me' time which will lull my thoughts to an extent and answer the unanswered. Try it if you haven't so far. They will be the best moments when you are home and can dedicate time guilt free.

Tiffin Tales 111

Hola,

Okay, so this is the second time that it snowed this week and we are a bit upset about that. Even though we cannot complain because we all have to be indoors yet we said a small prayer for everyone who have to go outside given their nature of jobs.

As most of us are all inside our homes we are spending a major part on the internet precisely in front of any kinds of screen. These screens are our windows to the world. A part of us like to watch news and keep a tab on everything going around. I am assuming a percentage of people like me do keep a track but find it stressful to hear about the virus all throughout the day. As for me, I watch once in the morning and once during dinner time. I follow closely but rest of the time its more online grocery shopping hunt and some binge watching.

This afternoon I read about a story which compelled me to think from some many corners. A lady was travelling by bus when the bus stopped at a stop. The bus was occupied and there was just one spot by the lady seated next to the window. When the bus stopped another old lady got into the bus with lots of shopping bags. The bus driver helped to get in and she took the vacant spot. The old lady was well built and with all her bags it was almost getting difficult for two ladies to share the seats. The other lady could barely move. Seeing the discomfort of the situation an old man stood up and offered his seat to the old lady because he felt that way all three would be able to sit comfortably. The lady by the window seat with a smile politely refused. She said, "Its a small journey, let's all accommodate." The old man understood and smiled. He understood the profundity of the words and went back to his seat. A few stops later the lady by the window got down. Throughout her travel she didn't express any inconvenience towards the old lady thus leaving some memories with the people around her.

Now as I sip my tea and write these lines I try to think about so many things. We cannot accept so many situations in our lives. SO many of us are struggling to sit at our homes. People who are used to race with the clocks are now coping with the new set of environment. There are lots of uncertainties over the present and future and I guess its all a part of our journey. This part of our journey is just to sit back because we have no control over what is going around us. Let us all be considerate and generous which can help us in this journey. We all can do our part and we know the best way to do them. Our ways of helping may be different but the goal is to be of help to someone. If there is no way we can help some, think again. We can help others simply by staying home and reduce the chances of spreading.

Okay, time to finish my tea and plan for my dinner. Its very important part of the day because planning the groceries is highly strategic. If you are working, take rest on the weekends. Most importantly stay safe.

Tiffin Tales 110

Hola...

It's almost a month that we are at home now with everyone getting restless. We all are trying to lift each other's spirit from time and again to escape the flatness of the situation. Reading, baking, watching umpteen cartoons, movies, documentaries and not to forget the news we are trying our best to make our stay at home more colorful. The kids try doing crafts and living area is strewn with papers but I am not complaining because its the result of their productive time...

The world is so mysterious now. The busiest roads and airports of the world are all wearing deserted look. We all are indoors scared, confused and praying hard for these dark days to end soon. The busiest of the restaurants are all wearing forlorn looks. There are no table reservations, no looking forward to the weekend special items. On the contrary most people like me are wearing their heads down to manage with limited options and prepare nutritious meals. With everyone at people it's an added challenge to prepare soulful food with a toned down pantry.

Today is last day of Bengali calendar. This month of Chaitra is supposedly to have vegetarian food. Bengali's do not include onions and garlic in their vegetarian section. Previously people used to consume vegetarian food all throughout this month and on the first day feast with non vegetarian items. Well, we have all crossed those centuries long back and the only day that travelled with us is perhaps the last day of Chaitra. Now people just have strict vegetarian food on the last day and look for benediction. The next day which is the first calendar day is for gorging on sumptuous food items. I remember on the vegetarian day (that's how I say) my mother used to specially make an item with raw jackfruit. I miss it so badly. The memories are still so fresh just like the spring outside now.

Now when the world is such in a disruptive state I miss my parents all the more. I am all the time anxious for their health. I long to go to my home and I do not see that happening soon. I understand there are millions of people all around who right now need many basic amenities like food and medical help. Many people are already without job and money. We all are trying and praying. We are trying to help someone in need in whatever we can. We are praying not just for us but as an entire world. We need prayers and compassion to walk through this crisis.

Tomorrow is the first day of Bengali calendar. We are not preparing anything special. Instead we will be calling people to convey our wishes and pray a little longer. If all goes well, we will collectively celebrate this day with laughter and good food. Till then let's keep praying and sharing whatever little we can. Yes, stay indoors and stay safe.

Tiffin Tales 109

Hola,

Hope this blog finds you in the best of health. We all are anxious now with what is going around and we all are affected in some way or the other. We can express through our words but through the web world mostly.

A lot has changed around us in the past few weeks. People who run to catch the trains are sitting at home to work from their home stations to people losing their jobs in this economic turmoil. People are queuing at the grocery stories at the earliest possible time. We all are apprehensive, stressed and choked with emotions. The market is flooded with information and directives and we are just trying to sail through all of them.

Children at home are confused while the elderly people look blankly outside the windows. We all are restless and scared. The fear has gripped our minds and souls and perhaps taught some valuable pieces of human nature.

Let me share something that I felt this week. Every year my daughter goes to my neighbors house on the eighth or ninth day of Navratri for "kanjak" celebrations. On this day young girls are worshipped in the form of Goddess Durga. They are given something as an offering to the Goddess and a small token of gift. My daughter is too young to finish her plate but we enjoy her plate whole heartedly. This year due to the pandemic I was a bit upset that we wont be able to get the offerings. On the ninth day there was a knock on my door. I was extremely surprised as I wasn't expecting any deliveries or anyone during this time. I was a bit skeptical but by the time i reached for the door my phone rang. My neighbor called to inform me that she kept a plate of the offerings for my daughter. I opened the door and so touched to see that. She had neatly packed it and kept it there and to maintain the distance she left and called me to inform.

I cannot express how I felt. The universe must have heard my babbles that how I missed this. I was so happy and just said a heartfelt prayer. With the situation around us, I considered it to be a sign that all will be fine soon. It's gloomy outside and inside our hearts but let's have the positivity in our hearts that the dark nights will end.

With this thought I am trying to hold my mind and keep my children cheerful. We all can try a bit and help each other walk through this dark times.

Catch you all soon.. Take care

Tiffin Tales 108

Hola...

I hope you are staying safe indoors and trying to help the universe in the best possible way. People who have to step out for serving the country and the mankind in this demanding time have all our respect and gratitude.

It's a new month but with almost with the same set of situation. The world is crippling with virus, debilitated economy, medical emergencies and presenter of gobs of problems. Each new day is challenging our patience, understanding and our compassion.

A major part of the world is in a lockdown mode. The daily wage workers are the hardest to be affected by this lockdown. Their earnings have suddenly halted, their rooftops seems to have vanished and managing for basic food seems to be a herculean task for them. They have suddenly been pushed in darkness without any answers on how to survive. There are people who are affected by this pandemic and waiting to get treatment. At present it's a huge challenge for any government of any country to provide all the amenities to the affected people in such large numbers. No wonder the lockdown is a just step to flatten the steep curve that is rising everyday. New makeshift hospitals are introduced every other day. An army of doctors, nurses and many health care officials are working overtime to help each and every affected person. There are lot of people who are working in the frontline to keep the daily lives of people working smoothly. In my memory they are doctors, nurses, all people in medical fields, people working in sectors like police, fire departments, grocery store workers, mailing departments, transport departments, home delivery people. Please pardon me if I am missing out anyone and don't forget to drop in at the comment section. The services of each and everyone at this critical juncture of crisis is perhaps helping all of us to sail through all the constraints

We all want to rise from this pandemic, enter a new day in our lives free from virus. At home meal planning is akin to annual budget planning. Most of us scared to run to the grocery stores fearing to bump into the virus. Each visit is well planned and the cleaning process following the visit is immense. Hence, all the meals have to be meticulously planned  which includes nutrition and saving for the future days too.

I can go on and on about my series but not at this moment. This lockdown has taught us in more than one ways. My kids have started to be more responsive towards food and expressing gratitude. I am grateful for that too.

Let's all just join hands together, to fight this, to emerge winner and enjoy this beautiful planet. Together we can, we have to win and in this journey spread love, compassion for others to heal and pray for all. Much love to all