I wake up by 4:30 – 4:45 am these days without an alarm. My body seems to be reseting to a new clock. If it was earlier, I would have gone back to sleep and got up after a few snoozes at 6:30, but now I am totally refreshed and rearing to start my day. Isnt this the Brahma Muhurta, considered to be the best time for reading, meditation and exercise. Guess should make good use of it.
A lovely sight greeted me as I entered the park – there was this middle aged lady, who was feeding Bhollu & Goollu. It looked like curd rice and she stood next to them, talking to them as they ate. No wonder they have always looked well fed – wonder if she does this everyday. Their familiarity with each other did suggest that. When Bhollu left a little, she smiled and slowly nudged him towards the left over food, just as a mother would coax her child to finish her meal. So that’s how my day started, with a Smile.
It also reminded me of our Art Foundation’s donation during the Covid lockdown to CARE, an organisation that feeds and treats Stray animals. I have been planning to donate something every month, but it always slips my mind. Don’t we procrastinate so many things in life – calling an old friend, visiting an elderly relative, confronting an irritating colleague, getting the tap fixed, collecting clothes from the tailor, booking the gas cylinder – always waiting for when we will have time, or that right time. But then, I am the Guru of Procrastination, my list is endless and as per Durga, should start with cleaning my laptop bag and my cupboard. Even at work, the joke is that only Ayudha Pooja can make Chitra clean her drawers. Though I donot thankfully find rotten bananas or soggy biscuits, I still wonder why & how most of the stuff found a place in my drawer.
I would always debate earlier that instead of donating, one should do something oneself like this lady, but I had the good fortune of working with some good NGOs during the Covid lockdown and now totally admire them for their work and trust them. What do you prefer?
As I walked along towards the ground, I noticed that there were two cricket matches going on today –a Senior group and a Junior group. A few of the seniors were constantly shouting and guiding the little ones, while still playing their own game. The younger ones were also stopping to cheer a boundary hit by the other group or run & retrieve their balls too. Another form of mentorship?
Have I told you about the man who sells Wheat grass juice and the woman who sells 3 types of sprouts, near the main gate. They do have a regular clientele. Wonder if it is available outside other BBMP parks too?
The ladies who passed me were proudly discussing a performance by their children. It reminded me of Andal & Aditi’s annual day in Kindergarten, and Andal waving and screaming Mamma from the stage. I was seated in the second row and happily stood up waving back, blowing kisses in the air and screaming – I love you, Ammu. That’s the first time I realised how common a nickname Ammu is. There were so many children and parents now reacting. Though the Principal who was sitting in the front row, turned and smiled towards me, the class teacher and the compere, were not amused – infact were totally vexed with this unplanned drama and were glaring at me. My husband was also suitably embarrassed. For the next 2 events, I was very politely reminded by the class teacher to behave myself. I was also the loudest one singing the National Anthem at the end of every Program – the NCC cadet in me would come alive as also the added fervour in singing our National Anthem abroad.
I continued on and then saw Gopi – the lady who speaks to herself. I have finally given her a name as my continuously describing her as that, was starting to remind me of – the one who must not be named – Yes, Voldermot, to all Harry Potter lovers. She was sitting on a bench and reading aloud from a Kannada newspaper – so she is educated. Why cant she do better for herself then?
The wedding hall next to the Temple was decorated and the nadaswaram could be heard – must be an early morning Muhurta. I remember my North Indian friends could never understand why we South Indians have our festivals and weddings early in the morning. During Deepavali in Delhi, we were the only children in the colony, who had to get up at 4am, take a traditional oil & Shikakai bath, wear new clothes and light firecrackers – all before sunrise.
So unlike today, we would get new clothes only on festivals & birthday, unless there were generous visitors who brought gifts. We would happily wear hand me downs from elder aunts and siblings. I remember atleast two kurtas that came from my aunts and then my sister, Purnima, wore them after me. Infact I still wear sarees that Meera aunty sends me. My first watch had belonged to my Mother’s elder sister, Saralu aunty. – Did things last longer then? Same with books – I donot remember buying new textbooks ever in School or College. It was always passed down from seniors, elder siblings, borrowed from school or college library or bought from a second hand bookshop. Now, ofcourse, everything is available online. Does anyone make notes in the library at all, these days? Will there be physical libraries in future?
With mixed emotions, I continued on, took a photograph on my mobile of an interesting creeper growing on a tree and shared it with my team. I donot know whether it is Kavan or his mother, one of them surely, would make a good botanist.
Aditi wanted to complete 6 kms today, so I sat down on a bench observing the walkers. Now a few are familiar to me. I noticed that some of them looked at me and smiled, then realised I was wearing my ‘Badass Mom of Awesome Twins’ T-shirt. No wonder. I love these T-shirts with funny slogans and quotes. Do you? Which one is your favourite?
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