Of Naseem
I have been recently told by several people that they have been wondering why I stopped writing. The truth is- I haven’t. I was just away. Away for enough time to re-collect my thoughts. And get a much-needed break from the mundane household chores and the routine.
Interestingly, this was the first year that I was questioned several times about the “bad-timing” of our vacation. For the uninitiated- June and July are the months with the highest heat Index in India. Day temperatures cross 100 F and it is brutal to go out during the day. This was not my first year heading in such heat but I have never before been questioned as many times about this timing.
To be honest-I did not have to think long about this one. I know in my head and heart. Logically- this is the only long duration holiday that we get and that can justify such a long flight, travel etc. But emotionally- this is as close to settling in as we can. The long two months (that feel so short in hindsight) give us enough time and opportunity to settle in, start living the routine and soak in our environment. It gives us enough time to not rush. To move at our own pace. To enjoy. To live.
This is it. This used to be our lives. Our childhood. Our days that were spent without any air-conditioning. Our days that were spent complaining about no electricity. About numerous power-cuts. And then the arrival of the magical monsoons. Of thunder. Of trees glistening after the raindrops. Of hot tea and pakoras. Of Naseem.
Have you ever, ever stood out on a beautiful rainy day and closed your eyes? And stood in the first rain of the season? And felt every drop of the rain hit your head, arms, face, palms and your heart? And felt alive? There is a beautiful, beautiful breeze after the rains- that touches us in more ways than a physical sensation. It is the one that touches our soul, that wants our hearts to sing, our faces to smile. This pure joy is unparalleled- and this breeze is called Naseem. It cannot be seen, only felt.
What felt so magical then, so many years back still continues to feel magical. Brings back memories of such innocent, pure and undiluted joyful times. That Naseem continues to be noticed and felt- every single time- is a beautiful reminder of being here. And being alive. This is it.
They say that the true sweetness of sugar is valued only after our taste-buds have been hit by a sour or hot spell. Have we ever thought that on a hot day- nothing feels better that a cool glass of water. In the same way- in these modern, more technical and mechanical times- I do want my children to understand this basic fundamental and have them step out of their comfort zones. To spend a few days living how we used to so many years back. And to understand that everything is felt and valued correctly at the right time. After being bored at home due to staying indoors for so long- they felt free, happy after the first rains. The excitement was so much more- the anticipation and the wait made the rains more beautiful- the cloudy skies even prettier than their imagination.
Of course, it rains everywhere. But we have moved into such comfort zones in our day-to-day lives that I feel like our children take this comfort for granted so much. While I remember playing endless number of hours in that hot sun with my younger brother- I do not see my children doing the same. Everything is too hot, too cold, too loud, too dirty and so on. As a parent- I feel fortunate and privileged that I have this opportunity to teach them a few life lessons- lessons that have become such beautiful memories from my own childhood.
Like they say- they may enjoy seeing the flowers tomorrow on a tree, but the joy would be so much more after understanding what seeds were sown today that got these roots to seep so deep to give them these flowers!
