My Mom and I

*************** Start of Conversation ***************

Dad: It’s a Saturday. What’s your plan for today?

Daughter: Mom’s gone to work. I think we can go to the garden and you can help me enjoy the rides. Wish Mom was also free on Saturdays.

Dad: People have different timings dear. I work from Monday to Friday. Mom works from Monday to Saturday. I don’t have month-long vacations. Mom has month-long vacations. I have different problems at work, mom has her own problems.

Daughter: I know about your problems, dad. But mom also has work related problems? I have never seen her under stress.

Dad: Yes she has. She travels for more than an hour to reach her workplace. She travels in Mumbai local trains. She has to prepare a lot prior to reaching her workplace. 

Daughter: I didn’t know all this. Dad, I think we should talk about it today. We’ll go to garden in the evening once mom comes back. Let’s discuss this now.

Dad: Ok. But tell me one thing. Why do you feel mom doesn’t have work pressure?

Daughter: She never shows it. She gets up in the morning and wakes me up in the sweetest way possible. I know I am a little fussy when I get up, I seek attention. But all I am yearning for is moms love and affection when I wake up. Then she takes care of my morning chores. While you play with me in the morning, she prepares breakfast for both of us and happily places it on the table. While we are busy eating / drinking, she gets ready for work. She sees you off and then plays with me for a while. She keeps me busy with something and quietly leaves for work, so that I don't notice and cry about it.

Dad: Wow. Interesting observation, I must say.

Daughter: Even when she comes back home in the evening, she shows no sign of tiredness. She brings lollipop for me, plays with me and we happily watch television for a while. In sharp contrast, when you return home, you seem tired. You play with me for a while and then go back to the room to change and rest. Then you and mom switch roles and you play with me while mom relaxes. But all through this, she never appears tired. This made me feel that you have work pressures but mom doesn’t.

Dad: Moms are wonderful, dear. Your Grand-mom sacrificed a lot to see me doing well in life. You mom is doing the same with you.

Daughter: I agree.

Dad: I look stressed or tired probably because I feel my primary role is to protect the family – financially and otherwise, today and tomorrow. That’s what is always present in my mind. And maybe, guys are made this way. It’s difficult for a man to look happy when there’s pressure from various avenues. Maybe we are hard-wired.

Daughter: Dad, but I think you take a lot of tension. You work hard every day and the money you earn goes into the investments you have made for me, which is great. But by doing so, you are always under stress. For instance, look at all the grey hair you have. I think you need to do what I do when I have a problem.

Dad: And what’s that?

Daughter: Go to a specialist! Like when I need something, food to eat or to apply lipstick / makeup or if I hurt myself while playing, I go to mom. I don’t know how she does it, but her presence makes me forget the pain. Football makes you forget your stress, so football is a specialist for you. Grey hair is now a problem for you, I suggest you blacken your hair. Why even make it black? Try some different shades, why not go to a specialist in this field to solve it?

Dad: OK. I take your point. 

Daughter: OK. But today’s discussion is about mom. I want to know how she hides her stress from me.

Dad: That’s because moms are selfless human-beings. In a world where every person you meet outside is selfish, here’s a lady who will go out of her way to ensure you are content and happy. You will surely realize the secret when you reach that stage.

Daughter: Now, we are taking this discussion out of scope. Its about my mom, not me being a mom some day! Let’s give it 2-3 decades from now. Garden, shall we?

Dad: Yeah sure, my princess!

*************** End of Conversation ***************

This is what I think my daughter (who is 2 years and 6 months old) will say when she starts understanding the sacrifices every mom goes through, to raise a child. These are exactly the same thoughts I have of my mom too. And I am sure many of the readers will agree. Moms are special. I don’t think there will be one special instance that stands out. Every single instance with my mom stands out, like it does for my daughter. 

They say God is omnipresent. I agree. But I also feel Mothers have a huge part to play in this.

Fish and an Indian NRI..

Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and

all the years you have lived - Hellen Keller

Kerala is known as God's own country. And the people who have visited this beautiful state will vouch for it. The greenery and back-waters are all desktop wallpaper material. Kerala will easily feature in top 10 best places in India to visit. Kerala has one of the best literacy rate in the country. Kerala is known for its coconut oil, Banana chips, Jack fruit chips, halwa etc. And the fish curry in Kerala is second to none.

Unfortunately, the Fishes in Kerala doesn't think so. And for obvious reasons!

Image: Kind courtesy kerala.me

Smelly moment ...

Few years ago, I had been to Kerala for a vacation. When a Keralite goes to Kerala for a vacation, its usually to meet relatives. When a non-Keralite plans such a trip, it is usually to visit tourist places. So, being a Keralite, as part of my itinerary, I went to one of my relatives' place. The thing about meeting relatives (especially those who live near the sea-shore) is that you will always, and I mean - always - find fish as part of the staple diet. Fish is part of Kerala's staple diet, but its even more significant if you stay near the shores.

As we were sitting and discussing the life and times in Kerala, a peculiar aroma filled the room. It was the output of a frying Fish. Apart from some hardcore fishitarians, most others would have hated the smell. I know some who will even puke - no kidding! It was as if the aroma waves from the Fish fry had decided to go all around the house and sometimes even the neighborhood to spread the word. Unlike a burning candle that lightens up the room by sacrificing itself, Fish fry had gone a step ahead. By sacrificing itself, it spreads what it thinks as refreshing aroma to not only the kitchen, but the surrounding rooms and in some cases even the neighboring homes!

As guests, we were completely encapsulated - right as well as wrong sense - by the fishy aroma. Wonder where Oxygen went? Anyways, the only part of my body that was full of optimism by the sudden burst of fishy aroma was my taste buds! They were about to have a feast of their life.

... changed to Smiley moment!

Before having lunch, we were informed that another family will be visiting my relatives and then we'll have lunch together. They were settled in one of the Gulf countries, the second best place for Malayalis. Now Keralites coming from Gulf countries are recognized using two parameters - clothes and perfume. Their clothes looks rich and feels richer. Their perfume has the ability to light up their journey and momentarily allow the bystander breathe in aromatic oxygen - one of a kind not commonly found in Kerala. Even their car gives away the feeling that it has just had an aromatic bath / spa / car wash.

Their visit to my relatives place that afternoon seemed to be a welcome relief to everyone concerned. Why? The smell of the perfume immediately got mixed with the Fish fry smell and the resultant output was a mix of both the smells but had a dominating impact of the perfume. It was as if we "escaped into freshness". I could feel the presence of Oxygen again! That moment, my dear friends, became a smiley moment.

Ambiance Purified!

Memories, imagination, old sentiments and associations are more readily reached through the sense of smell than through any other channel - Oliver Wendell Holmes 

PS: This post is published for the love of fish and is part of an Indiblogger "Smelly to Smiley!" contest in partnership with Ambi Pur.