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[natashasingh9-blog]

Toodling along with my mother and grandmother to the sabzi mandi has been such an unforgettable and ingrained part of my childhood memory. Probably for many of you too ...

I remember the mounds of vibrant vegetables, hawkers in cacophony, wet streets, flies, the smell of fish in the wetmarkets of Bandra and the colors of green and red as my mother would handpick the tomatoes like rubies of a new size. All this seemed so trivial to me as I would hold on to her hand and tug on her to hurry up. Ice cream was the cherry on the cake to be a good shopper along with my beautiful ladies.

My mother and grandmother would often tell me these are the important things and most basic necessities in life and to enjoy the feel of the fruits and vegetables. All I would enjoy was the color and to see the fish of the ocean lis there infront me as I watched it wondering when it will swoop back into the sea.

Life now for many years meant shopping for fruits, vegetables and meat in an air conditined store with glistening colors and fruits neatly packaged in plastic clong wrap gently placed over styrofoam.

In these times of Covid 19 where farmers lose to the world pandemic and sabzi mandis work within timelines , where we can't shop the way we used to and the poor Vegetable vendor has little to none to take back for his family & some vendors have left their spots & gone back to villages the markets don't feel the same. Here, in USA we shop within timelines too giving a breathing space of pure time to the elderly.

Times have changed and like you, I do hope we can walk again without these masks of life, once again hear the hawkers, see the colors of vegetables and smell the ocean in the wet markets where a child can still tug on to her mother and try and hurry her up where the mother just stands and stares and enjoys the moments of life together, this time in a sabzi mandi.

[natashasingh9-blog]

LIFE 2020

Life 2020!

Just a few days ago before the world was hit by corona virus we decided to have a bird feeder and watch the birds gather food for another flight of life.

A month ago we were all making plans around our busy schedules , today we are living in this new normal trying to adjust what we have seen in our lifetime.

Our daily roles we determine for ourselves are high, whether it’s a professional job or being a full time mom now, we are always either chasing clients or chasing a toddler. We all have our priorities and these times have tested us all.

We wake up early to start our days, we are dropping kids to school, working within a time frame always, braving new challenges in our own worlds. We whizz around through the day like power packed energy batteries , holding it all together and sometimes drop at the end of the day like fireflies into the night.

The world watches the news every morning in their own countries and the pandemic continues to be a topic of concern for each one of us. Many families have lost their loved ones & many suffer in hospitals as I write this, some are lighting candles , while others are saying prayers and still among the fight for life some irresponsible people still spend money on large weddings, social gatherings and think they’re above it all.

We are keeping kids away from school and now dining tables seem to be the new zoom meeting point. Suddenly among the rush of life and traffic on roads and in our minds, there’s a quiet.

The maids now call up the maaliks to find out how they’re coping, kids play more in balconies and backyards where all the magic happens and the kitchen has become the new cafeteria! Restaurants now have a Covid to-go menu and grocery stores and gas stations become a threat where we wear masks and gloves and walk around like on ice, 6 ft away from each other.

Online groups are pinging away with delectable recipes and the instant pot has taken a backseat since we go back to the furnace for elaborate grandmother’s cooking recipes. We think about or family first, not venturing out, not for ourselves but for our families to stay safe, we stay safe.

Everyday we think of new ways to entertain our kids to keep their laugh and smile on and remember moments without a glimmer of the pandemic, adults exchange notes on the top Netflix sitcoms or movies to watch and music of of the 80’s & 90’s is on again. It is as though we are stretching out to each other, reminding ourselves on how to survive and stay positive with online Zumba classes, mediation series or even watch live religious sermons held to empty halls.

Millions of us are confined to our homes. The doors are closed and in some countries sealed from the outside. We all can’t wait to see how life goes back to what we all called ‘normal’ just till a few weeks ago. But for now life has changed and the animals are enjoying the bliss.

Man is a creature of habit. Finding comfort in day to day routines, familiar voices, places, friends, environment, language & culture. Change is hard, I’ve been through it moving countries and it’s taught me some big and intense lessons in life on a broader perspective.

In this modern world, we are defined by our jobs and what we do. How busy we are is a big part of our perceived identity. The so called ‘image’ has taken over many situations for people and this is all such a tumble people live in. In all of this life has shown us different and new ways of living and a time to slow down and stop to smell the roses.

Look after yourself and your loved ones. Be in sync with your mind and body and speak to your inner self. Listen to music, go for a walk for those who can, play with your child, ask them questions what they remember from earlier days, laugh and dance at home, talk to your friends, kiss and make love a part of your home everyday.

Life has changed but for now let’s enjoy the music at home and each other’s company.

[natashasingh9-blog]

Life 2020!

Just a few days ago before the world was hit by corona virus we decided to have a bird feeder and watch the birds gather food for another flight of life.

A month ago we were all making plans around our busy schedules , today we are living in this new normal trying to adjust what we have seen in our lifetime.

Our daily roles we determine for ourselves are high, whether it’s a professional job or being a full time mom now, we are always either chasing clients or chasing a toddler. We all have our priorities and these times have tested us all.

We wake up early to start our days, we are dropping kids to school, working within a time frame always, braving new challenges in our own worlds. We whizz around through the day like power packed energy batteries , holding it all together and sometimes drop at the end of the day like fireflies into the night.

The world watches the news every morning in their own countries and the pandemic continues to be a topic of concern for each one of us. Many families have lost their loved ones & many suffer in hospitals as I write this, some are lighting candles , while others are saying prayers and still among the fight for life some irresponsible people still spend money on large weddings, social gatherings and think they’re above it all.

We are keeping kids away from school and now dining tables seem to be the new zoom meeting point. Suddenly among the rush of life and traffic on roads and in our minds, there’s a quiet.

The maids now call up the maaliks to find out how they’re coping, kids play more in balconies and backyards where all the magic happens and the kitchen has become the new cafeteria! Restaurants now have a Covid to-go menu and grocery stores and gas stations become a threat where we wear masks and gloves and walk around like on ice, 6 ft away from each other. 

Online groups are pinging away with delectable recipes and the instant pot has taken a backseat since we go back to the furnace for elaborate grandmother’s cooking recipes. We think about or family first, not venturing out, not for ourselves but for our families to stay safe, we stay safe. 

Everyday we think of new ways to entertain our kids to keep their laugh and smile on and remember moments without a glimmer of the pandemic, adults exchange notes on the top Netflix sitcoms or movies to watch and music of of the 80’s & 90’s is on again. It is as though we are stretching out to each other, reminding ourselves on how to survive and stay positive with online Zumba classes, mediation series or even watch live religious sermons held to empty halls.

Millions of us are confined to our homes. The doors are closed and in some countries sealed from the outside. We all can’t wait to see how life goes back to what we all called ‘normal’ just till a few weeks ago. But for now life has changed and the animals are enjoying the bliss.

Man is a creature of habit. Finding comfort in day to day routines, familiar voices, places, friends, environment, language & culture. Change is hard, I’ve been through it moving countries and it’s taught me some big and intense lessons in life on a broader perspective.

In this modern world, we are defined by our jobs and what we do. How busy we are is a big part of our perceived identity. The so called ‘image’ has taken over many situations for people and this is all such a tumble people live in. In all of this life has shown us different and new ways of living and a time to slow down and stop to smell the roses.

Look after yourself and your loved ones. Be in sync with your mind and body and speak to your inner self. Listen to music, go for a walk for those who can, play with your child, ask them questions what they remember from earlier days, laugh and dance at home, talk to your friends, kiss and make love a part of your home everyday.

Life has changed but for now let’s enjoy the music at home and each other’s company.