In a parallel world it
is a Saturday. “S” is here for her weekly cleaning while husband and I are busy
arguing over who will make breakfast today. “S” smiles and tells us her other job is
going well. We talk about her grandson with round cheeks and how he loves
dancing. Husband and I resume our argument. “S” picks up her vacuum cleaner and
starts cleaning. The usual Saturday.
In this world, none of
that happened. “S” won’t see us for the next few weeks because social distancing
and all that. Husband and I did not argue instead we decided to go grocery
shopping early morning to ditch other potential customers who might
arrive later in the day. I was nervous. There was eerie silence on our street.
It was not because it was too early in the morning, it has been like that for
the past few days. We don’t pet our neighbors’ pets anymore. They might not like it.
Instead we do the usual hello from a distance and go about out business. Today
was no different.
I have been mentally
exhausted and heartbroken with the current situation. There has been such sadness and anger with this situation. So much has been lost. So much is at stake. This tunnel seems too
long to end and shows no signs of some light at the end of it. It does not help being away
from family either. Although, our friends here have become our family here. I
get to call my closest friends’ children my nephew and niece (and they are
precious). But with this situation I don’t get to see my friends or extended family. That
is not the issue either. Because I know it is for the greater good of everyone,
of the country, of mankind. When this ends everything will be back to normal. Perhaps,
it is the stress that has been surrounding everyone. High risk parents, financial
insecurity, career uncertainty, and no answer to when all of this might
potentially end. There is anger, anxiety, and a host of other not so pleasant
emotions that I feel so often these days. Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!
My mother says find
happiness wherever you are. And when the situation is out of your control, take
one step at a time. Do what you can and look at the brighter side. Cliched mom talk. But it helps.
It does. Thanks to technology, I get to see my parents regularly. I get to play
charades with my niece on facetime. Our nephew and niece here send us funny
streaks on snapchat (adorable and cute). I am in touch with friends and
extended family on whatsapp, FB, and emails. The weather is getting better and
we wake up to birds chirping in our porch. The grass is turning green and
greener. Spring is here. We still get to go out for quick walks (while socially
distancing from others). Husband has started cooking (this is a big one). Chai
times are a leisure with husband. Husband and I are working from home together. I have plenty of time to read my favorite books. My loved
ones are healthy. I am healthy and alive. And so much more.
It does take effort to
remind myself of the many blessings I have been showered with. But I am
grateful for each one of them. I am grateful for friends and family that have
reached out to us to ask if we are doing fine. I am grateful for the I love you’s
and I miss you’s I have said and heard in the past few days. I am grateful for
the love I have felt these past few weeks. And I am grateful that I have so
much. So, I will take each day at a time. For today I am impatient and nervous,
but I am also filled with gratitude for every blessing and for the little joys
of life.
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| Beautiful spring day in the North Pole |
In a parallel world,
its late night on a lazy Saturday. I am happy because tomorrow Mr. Husband will
drive me to our favorite neighborhood café for a delicious breakfast. I will
get to hug “R and K’s” dog. We will promise each other to catch up over a cup
of coffee. The neighborhood cat will be out for a walk. The sky will be clear,
and I will play – “Take me home” by John Denver in my head in a loop. Almost
heaven…!!
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| One of those happy moments - Husband and I |
