It's Memorial day weekend and we are thinking of the fallen heroes all over the world for the service of mankind and humanity. I feel we have warriors all around us. They are unsung and unheard but silently serving the community around them. The brave men and women who defy all societal norms to help others are just more than courageous.
In these corona times we have lots of warriors around us. People who are fighting for our lives and health, people who are keeping us connected, people who are working to deliver the deliverables, people who are teaching and many many others who trying to help in whatever big or small capacity.
I like to call my kids warriors too. They are helping themselves and me at times to keep everything flowing. These little ones are oblivious to many facts of life yet they are trying in their best possible ways to keep themselves occupied, sometimes without being asked.
Back in my small home town is one such 'Pishi' (aunt) who is doing amazing things in these trying times. She is a widow and her children live in different states. She advised them not to come to her in these strenuous times. Her children regularly call her and try to take care of her. She is fully aware of the current situation yet she decided to make food packets and asked a trusted neighbor to drop them at hospitals or any government organizations where people work in shifts. She never refuses anyone whoever comes at her door step asking for any kind of help. She has been doing this for the past two months and wants to maintain that. While her children are almost freaked out thinking about the consequences she assures them that she is doing fine. Pishi wears gloves for most part of the day, wears masks when she cooks and drops the neatly packed food packet at her patio before someone comes to collect them. She has a maid who also happens to be her renter who helps her in her household but when it comes to cooking she insists on doing everything herself. She takes immense pride in cooking herself and satisfies her soul thinking that someone has eaten the food without going hungry to bed. She makes very simple food probably what she eats but she feels home cooked has extra nutrition because its cooked with love. Those of us know her have simply been amazed by her thoughts and her zeal to do something in these arduous times. Pishi is exemplary for people around us. Some of her neighbors have been motivated by her energy and devotion that they do groceries for her and drop at her door step and she helps others with those food items. Circle of life I say.
There are perhaps thousands of 'Pishi's' around us who are trying and are contributing. Not everyone can be like her but everyone can smile, pray and share some load and together we can make a difference.
These days the schools are closed and all focus is on the lunch. My fridge has very limited vegetables but surprisingly there were a few chicken drumsticks in my freezer. Rice, chicken drumsticks and some diced carrots and peas, onions, with some minimal spices and all in a cooker. What would you call? He named it 'surprise biryani'. I couldn't be more happy. Now he is resting and let me watch something...Take rest and take care everyone...
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