THE ARCHIVE

This is a collection of ALL my previous content. It is three years of work so take your time 🙂

In response to the prompt “A ridiculous but strangely believable conspiracy theory 

The Baby Mafia’s Mission

There’s a mission that babies arrive with
And that mission my friends is this
That every time you sit down for your meal
They will poo, fart or piss

It doesn’t matter what time of day
It doesn’t matter what you eat
They will most certainly need a nappy change
No, it ain’t the cold nor heat

You sometimes try to ignore it
Hoping it’ll go away
Avoiding it never helped anyone
Neither did platitudes nor prayer

Beginning your meal by cleaning your Baby’s bottom
Is something that invariably occurs
Whatever you do wherever you go
You can’t escape these little buggers

You think that it would get better
As your baby becomes toilet trained
But no ! My friends, the saga continues
The notorious baby mafia
Won’t let it end!

#humour #funnypoems #FunnyBabyMoments #funnybabypoem #conspiracy

Apr 21, 2025 7:44:31 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

What if Two Cities Got Married ??

Mumbai weds London

He did not arrive amidst manic mauj
There was no ghodi nor band baja baraat
Just him in a lone yacht, a black tailored suit and top hat,
His weather dark and sulky surrounding him like a grey cloud

As he inched closer towards me
My necklace, the Queen’s necklace, sparkled with excited anticipation
My eyes brimming over with the salty tears of the Arabian Sea
Feeling emotions that only a bride can
Of leaving behind familiar shores

His arrival was understated yet meticulously planned by the bureaucrats of Westminster orchestrating his life with boring precision
So unlike mine, where I survive with a “chalta hai” attitude and at my best am described as organised chaos

I was expecting a garland of Marigold and Jasmine, wanting to be seduced by their intoxicating fragrance
the one that welcomes you even in my smallest most crowded markets
But I was instead handed a bouquet of red English roses,
their petals still glistening with his dreams for us
”All the way from Columbia Road market“ he said softly, his stiff upper lip giving way to a shy smile.

The seagulls swirled around the Thames
And the pigeons flocked upon my Gate as we said our vows , encircling the fire burning deep within our souls .

And what do I tell you about the wedding feast?
An English roast never stood a chance before my desi platter
Pickle, papad, naan and rice
fragrant curries, tasty subzies,
salad bars, chaat counters , chocolate fountains, the works!
The unabashed abundance strangely massaging not just taste buds but also fragile egos

And when we danced our first dance as man and wife
My palm trees swayed in the gentle breeze
He pulled me closer, my head upon his shoulder
And in that moment there were no boundaries
No tall mountains nor the seven seas

Just him and me
Standing in glorious wonder

#taleoftwocities #wedding #cities

Apr 18, 2025 6:55:31 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

U Turn

”Take a U-turn when possible” the GM (Google Maps) lady politely says
I ignore her at first
I am already late for work
“Please take a U turn” when you can she says again
”U turn now”
Her insistence is infuriating

I finally relent to shut her up
I take u turn at the next roundabout
And suddenly, I find myself driving within my old neighbourhood

“What the… “ I am surprised almost stunned
I am driving in autopilot
At least it feels like that

I pass my old playground
A chubby little girl stands crying all alone
Nobody wants to play with her
A group of children are pointing and laughing
Anger ambushes my being

I am about to stop when“Keep going straight on” GM says,, I follow.

The bhel wala, his cart
Teeming with puris sev and mamra
Sprigs of coriander, mounds of potatoes platefuls of finely chopped onions
The taste of khatti imli
Seducing my taste buds
I swallow

”In 500 m turn left” GM interrupts my thoughts, I follow.

That jamun tree under whose cool shade I held his hand for the very first time
The butterflies of young love fluttering in my stomach
I can hear my heart beating faster , my palm sweaty in Mumbai‘s unforgiving summer
The overripe jamuns being crushed under our feet
Staining our soles a deep purple
And we stand there together, uncertain yet strangely happy

I slow down but ”after 250 m turn right” GM again, I follow

The Katta by the stationary shop
Where tumultuous adolescence passed by.
The mood swings , the fights,
Those promises of forever friendships
Etched into its concrete
The formative years rife with the promise of possibility

“Oh my” I take a deep breath then

“After 200 m take a left ,your destination will be on your right”. GM seems confident, I am too.

I drive past the big peepal tree, its awning ancient yet welcoming
The old primary school gate, its colour still a burnt maroon
The vegetable vendor selling fresh subzi Gowar, doodhi, tinda, karela
And the kulfi wala trying hard to protect his icy offerings from the blazing heat

“Your destination is on your right”, GMs voice
I am overwhelmed

My childhood home stands before my eyes
The inscription B 40 fading into its surface
I slowly step out of the car
I stand before it, transfixed

I await further instructions
There are none
GM has gone quiet

I have arrived

#whengooglemapsrebels #drivedownmemorylane #migcolony #childhoodmemories #childhoodneighbourhood

Apr 16, 2025 4:10:45 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

Dear Able Person

You just called someone disabled. It was said in frustration and anger. But isn’t that the privilege of being able? To think that you can use terms like disabled so flippantly, to throw it around like confetti?Except that this is no happy occasion.

Do you even know what it means to be disabled? To live in a world that treats you as nothing more than an inconvenience? A world that rarely ever changes its rules for you. A world that is so smug in its ableist environment that you fail to exist equally?

Do you remember when you stub your toe or twist your ankle and find it hard to walk or when you sprain your neck or pull a muscle in your back making it difficult for you to move well? You can take a step back to heal and recover. This world is amenable to temporary kindness , no problem.

Now imagine being like that for the rest of your life and still being expected to do everything as you normally would- yes, imagine.

And now imagine how that same world would respond – yes, imagine.

Love and Light

#pdawarenessmonth #yopd #parkinsonsawareness

Apr 15, 2025 8:52:06 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

My Kitchen, My Mother

When did cooking become a chore?
When did it become so tiresome?
Was it when I realised that the stiffness in my hands was bothersome and the terrifying tremors took over?
Or perhaps it was less dramatic like when my kitchen began to nurture me
Like my mother would…

My kitchen held me as I cried tears of quiet frustration
The butter knife slipping from my hand and falling to the floor
That bowl of glass holding soft butter, shattering to the ground in a million smithereens…

My kitchen hummed in reassurance as I peeled an orange, sliced a tomato, poached an egg ,whisked some batter, fried puri, spread dosa, crushed spices, sautéed onions. All of this when my hand resembled a stubborn claw, my fingers refusing to move…

My kitchen cheered me on when I rustled up a full meal from scratch , roti, rice, dal sabzi, salad, pickle and also kheer. She cheered me loudly, her cooker whistling in triumphant joy!

My kitchen helped me adapt with her many appliances, the toaster, the refrigerator, the blender, the kettle, the oven and the air fryer all of them playing a significant role in enabling me to evolve…

And as I held onto her formidable surface I felt her spirit surrounding my soul.
Sometimes subtle
Sometimes solid
But always present

Sensing, supporting
Supporting, sensing

My kitchen, my mother.

©️Snehal Amembal

#parkinsonsawareness #pdawarenessmonth #yopd

Apr 13, 2025 9:48:23 am

Notes On The Go added a new video.

“Chitrahaar was our YouTube,” I told Ronak yesterday. Chitrahaar was a television program that would play on Door Darshan, twice a week, if I remember correctly, around eight pm. I must have been around four at the time. Before cable TV came in, and decades before YouTube, there was Door Darshan – for cinema and most importantly for music.

I particularly remember the song Shola Jo Bhadke which was my grandfather’s favourite song. He was a man of very few words, a rather quiet sort. But not around Shola Jo Bhadke, that was a different avatar. He would sing along, tap his feet to the rhythm of the music and gently move to the beat. As a child of four I found this rather amusing.

I will sing this song for you today ,Ajju.

You maybe gone but are never forgotten.

Happy heavenly birthday 😘

Apr 03, 2025 5:21:44 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

I met my younger self for coffee today.

We met at her favourite place. That one by the second hand bookshop, across from the florist , upon the banks of the river Thames. it was a windy afternoon and I saw her approaching our table with a big bag. It was a well worn denim tote bag and it looked extremely heavy because of course it had at least five books apart from stationery and other knick knacks inside it.

She seemed happy,my younger self
and also a little sad. “I’m so sorry she told me I’m a little late because I missed my usual bus”. I gave her a knowing smile. My younger self would have never splurged on a cab. “That’s okay, I said to her, what would you like to drink?” “ I would love a cappuccino,” she said and I noted this comfort in routine that she always sought out. It is not like her to have gone for an Americano or even a hot chocolate, for example. She enjoyed control and routine helped her achieve this.

”Why do you look a little sad?” I asked her as she nervously played with the end of her scarf a beautiful mustard yellow pashmina with small black flowers on it. “ Oh nothing,” she hesitated a little and went on to say “ I got another rejection from one of the companies I had applied to for the HR job”. “Oh it truly doesn’t matter“. I said to her that jobs will come and go and that rejection doesn’t mean that you are bad. It means that you are not a good fit “And what is worse than feeling like a fish out of water? you don’t like that feeling do you?”.

“How do you know me so well?” She asked me with her characteristic smile. “I just want to do well in life”, she continued, not Waiting for my answer. She looked so vulnerable then that I got up from my seat and sat down beside her, I held her hand and whispered softly. “You will do very well my darling more than you can ever imagine”. “ how do you know?” she looked at me with her big brown eyes that always expressed everything that she felt so clearly. “Because my dear I was once you,” I said to her and enveloped her in a big warm hug.

“Yes, you will be okay, we will be okay.”

Just then a gust of wind surrounded us, swirling around this intersection of time, willing us to acknowledge this moment and move on.

Mar 29, 2025 7:26:57 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

Boys : “Alexaaaa can you fart”

Alexa: “Would you like to buy a fart pack? Yes or No”

Boys: “Yessssss Alexa” (I mean hellllooooo)

Alexa: “Ok so now what would you like me to do?

Say random for a random fart.”

Boys: Random!!!!!

Alexa: This is a ketchup fart…

And on

And on

And on

Send wine people, send wine!!!!

#Parenting #Alexa #Farts #ParentingLife #MummyBloggers #FunTimes #InsaneAfternoons #AlexaFun

Mar 27, 2025 5:52:39 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

The UK government recently cut disability benefits. There has been a major uproar within the country and rightly so. I have been thinking a lot about this. Having been born and brought up in a third world nation the concept of benefits itself is very alien to me. The fact that the government will pay you for being unemployed, disabled, and in any way disadvantaged for whatever reason is a concept that is still very foreign to me. I was brought up in a perform or perish culture, swim or sink culture. We were given the tools to forge our own path and along the way if we had difficulties we were taught how to cope with these ourselves rather than depending upon the government to look after us. There is a certain pride that is fostered within the middle classes in India about standing on your own feet, earning your own bread and working for your buck. Paying taxes is also a huge contribution that you make to the society and country in general.

I generally avoid talking about political matters and social benefits somehow fall under that purview. Today however I am looking at this system here in the UK from a different perspective. And that perspective for me is well at least you are getting some benefits, isn’t it. Yes I know it is comparing oranges and apples . However, the infrastructure that you have in a first world country is far more superior than one could even dream to imagine in a Third World country. Yes, you have every right to feel let down by your government for cutting down the disability benefits. But here’s the point. Changing your thought process about it would perhaps help you cope with something that is not entirely under your control.

So my point here is that yes of course please do express how disgruntled you are but please be aware of a different perspective too – the fact that you are getting some benefit from the government which other people in similar situations like you but in developing or underdeveloped countries can only dream about.

As always I rely on George Orwell to make sense of the socio political ethos. “All animals are equal, but some are more equal with others”.

#DisabilityBenefits #Disability #PIP #GeorgeOrwell #AnimalFarm #Sociopolitical #Opinion

Mar 23, 2025 12:53:18 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

I have always been the strong girl ,the girl who did it all, the girl who others depended on, that girl who had the answers to most questions, the girl who who set unrealistic goals for herself and then beat herself up for not meeting her own unreasonable expectations.

I was also the girl who always gave up her seat in the bus for someone less able, the girl who shared her lunchbox with her hungry classmate , that girl who adopted stray kittens and puppies off the street and fed them milk with a pip-pet. The girl who always considered the feelings of others before her own.

And somewhere along the way this girl sometimes forgot how to stand up for herself because when she did it came across as selfish and mean. She didn’t mean to come across like that but in the moment she was never given the benefit of the doubt. All her good deeds were overshadowed. She felt misunderstood and sad.

So here’s what this girl would like to say today. Just because she carries it all so well doesn’t mean it’s not heavy. So please be kind to her because whilst she is kind to everyone around her she’s forgotten how to be kind to herself.

#parkinsonsdisease #bekind

Mar 20, 2025 9:29:22 pm

Notes On The Go added a new video.

Dear Rikky

It is a beautiful sunny day today. The kind of day that fills you with positivity, the type of day that tells with a fair amount of certainty that spring has arrived. So today as we strolled through the park we were greeted by daffodils and daisies growing in the wild. I was admiring the daffodils whilst you were running around, exploring the park.

After a little while I sat down and beckoned you to come back to me. You made your way towards me and as you came closer I could see you holding something very delicately in your little hand. As soon as you reached me you exclaimed with joy “This is for you Mummy” and handed me a tiny daisy. It was perfect in every way – it looked healthy, had all its petals and its white colour looked pristine against the large green backdrop of the park. “Thank you! You ALWAYS get me flowers Rikky…why do you bring flowers dear?” And your answer just made me go quiet with the amount of love that I wasn’t able to commemorate in words.

“I bring you flowers because they make you happy, mummy” you said and all I could do was hug you tight.

Mar 16, 2025 4:13:01 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

Kheer

I am having kheer for breakfast this morning. Yes as I am typing this I can feel the sugary sweet milky concoction of my childhood swirl around my mouth. It reminds me of festivals at home. I am five again and go up to Papama for a second helping. She lovingly pours a full ladle of rice kheer into my empty bowl. I see that she has skillfully ensured that my share is dotted with raisins, my favourite. I carefully walk with my bowl to sit alongside my brother and cousin who are still finishing their first helping.

My cousin notices the number of raisins in my bowl. “Not fairrrrr” he says aloud pointing to my bowl and directing his displeasure towards Papama. She realises that this could cause a major fight so she quickly comes to where we are sitting , in the balcony. The Ganpati puja has just finished and as part of the lunch we are all eating rice kheer, a delicious combination of milk, cardamom, slivers of almond, broken cashew and my favourite, raisins.

“Zhagodnakkati re” she asks us not to fight. “Mastaa kheeri aasal”.
“Yes but tee sagle draksha kattasa” my cousin is now pointing at me accusing me of eating all the raisins.
“Khavo maa, saglenkhatir aasa. Yaw dakayta”. She beckons the three of us to follow her into the kitchen where a big vat of kheer is upon the counter. She stirs it a few times causing the raisins to rise to the surface. My cousin is satisfied and with a big relieved smile we all run back to the balcony.

So kheer for me is not just a yummy dessert. It is an anchor to a very happy childhood. But more than that it is a reminder that there is enough in the world for everyone and that abundance is a state of mind.

Mar 15, 2025 7:38:39 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

It is the festival of Holi today and you see me dressed up in salwar kurta and dupatta, ”Indian clothes” as you like to call it. “We play with colour today!”, your brother and you exclaim at once. “Yes!l I say to you, pleased that you remembered this detail.

“Are we all going to play?” you ask, giving your father a sideways glance. “Yes, I’m going to come home early today” he reassures us. The smile that this brings to your little face is truly precious. “I wish I could capture it and place it in a magical jar” I can’t help thinking to myself.

“Quick, wear your jacket and shoes” your dad reminds you and your brother. It is almost time to leave for school. Before doing this, you come and sit next to me on the sofa. You look at me lovingly and say ”You look fancy today, Mummy”. ”Oh thank you, darling, you always say the nicest things to me“.

You then take my Dupatta in your hand. You touch its soft smooth fabric with your tiny fingers. “yellow and blue,” you say to yourself. This seems to make you happy somehow. Before I can ask you why ,you say to me , “ This reminds me of light Mummy…this yellow and blue” inadvertently reminding me that happiness can be found in the smallest of things.

#TheThingsKidsSay #Festival #FestivalOfColour #holi #Precious #GentleReminder #Light #CreateYourOwnHappiness

Mar 14, 2025 9:18:09 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

Voice Notes

I was that shy girl in school. The girl who kept to herself, who was excited about reading time at the library and quiet periods during the day . The girl who cringed at the thought of drama club. I continued to be that shy student at University. The student that preferred writing over speaking. Yes, I was that girl trying to hide behind another student so that the teacher wouldn’t pick on me to answer a question in front of the entire class. I was also scared to pick up the phone and make a call to strangers, for example, customer service departments, bookings departments at hotels and such.. I would always hunt down email addresses so that I was able to write to them as opposed to speaking to them.

And then something happened that changed my life. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and typing unfortunately became difficult thanks to loss of fine motor skills and degeneration of fine motor movements in my fingers.

This was around the time of the pandemic which coincidentally was the time when my symptoms first began. It Was then that I discovered the beauty of voice notes. I remember holding down onto the little mic and speaking into my phone haltingly at first, measuring my sentences, Deleting and re-recording my message before being finally okay with whatever I recorded to be sent on to my family and friends. I realised much later that you didn’t have to actually hold on to the mic. You just swipe up and it continues recording.

At a time when social distancing was rife and people could not meet in social situations, it was voice notes that came to the rescue at least they came to mine . I was getting used to being a mom of two without any support whatsoever in a country that was very different from my own right from its weather to its societal norms. With my first child, I had all the support in terms of my parents coming over to help. I realised that having them around was a privilege when this time round their absence left a gaping hole.There was zero support as even mum groups were still trying to get used to using technology to connect. The world was taking baby steps in the ‘zooming’ era.

I slowly began turning to voice notes. I would rattle on about my exhausting day to my best friend in the USA. I would tell her the nitty gritties of my day- what I ate, something funny I read, if and how the baby slept, how tired I have been lately and on and on and on. I would do the same thing with my mother and then I would wait patiently for them to send a voice note back. Often they arrived immediately, other times they arrived after a few hours or maybe even after a day but they did. Listening to their voices from my phone always reassured me. It was as if they were present with me even if momentarily.

Now when I look back, voice notes at that time were essential in the sense that they lent a human element to what was a very scary time for all of us. The pandemic had us in lockdowns and there was no assurance of the world going back to “normal”. Living with this uncertainty was unnerving and voice notes provided some certainty, however little. Receiving a voice note and being able to play it at one’s leisure became something I looked forward to on days that seemed to merge into each other, an absolute blur where time appeared to be playing tricks on my mind.

It’s been five years now since the pandemic. Life as we knew it has become reality again . Our social lives are back to normal. However, what remains as a continuation from that time are these voice notes and for me, they have become a part of my everyday life. I still send voice notes to my friends and family. I know that they love listening to me as much as I love listening to them. Sharing a glimpse of my day with those that are important to me is something I still look forward to and listening to their day is a privilege indeed.

Voice notes are brilliant if you have children because you can send recordings of their little voices to your family and friends. You can send happy birthday messages or even just how you’re doing and I miss you. These little moments of joy that a child’s voice can bring to the listener is precious. I remember my parents used to look forward to (still do!) listening to my kids almost every day when I would send them voice notes – Conversations that I used to have with my kids or something that my kids wanted to say to my parents would all go through little voice notes from one country to another. Loving voices riding sound waves, bridging physical boundaries as much as possible.

And just as I finish writing this piece, I see a notification pop up on my phone. A voice note. I smile and press the play button.

#voice #voicenotes #parkinsonsdisease #anode

Mar 06, 2025 9:06:56 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

Dear Rikky

This evening during bath time, I was rendered useless because of my medication wearing off . I could not do much so I was lying in bed shouting out instructions to you. Tears of frustration were soaking through my pillow. It was as if they were consoling my unrealised dreams.

You followed all my instructions carefully and before entering the bath you came into my bedroom and said “ Don’t worry, I can do everything myself”. You, my 5 year old should not be doing everything yourself. I’m sorry that PD is invariably forcing you to grow up quickly. I want you to depend on me. I want you to ask me for help. I want you to worry about whether or not your toy car has batteries , not about whether or not I can walk properly.

Mr P, please spare my kids your cruelty. It’s the least you can do. Surely?

#parkinsonsdisease,#yopd #parenting

Mar 03, 2025 7:28:51 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

Mobile uploads

Mr P…. Chal bhag!!

Sometimes you feel smug because you think that you have learnt how to control Mr P’s unpredictable nature. You take your meds meticulously, calculating time and dosage. You eat little or nothing at all. You choose to walk instead of taking a cab. You do all the right things and you do them right.

And after about halfway through the day Mr P decides to remind you that he isn’t going to cooperate anymore. You become stiff. You begin to freeze. You are forced to postpone your to-do list.

Because Mr P needs your attention and like most men, he too begins to act out if he doesn’t receive his fair share.

Leave this girl alone Mr P!!

Feb 23, 2025 6:09:51 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

Antalya Day Zero

My first time travelling in a big group. First time after my diagnosis. I am pleased the journey was smooth and Mr P behaved himself.

We have just exited the airport. The sights and smells of a new country welcome us. I’m just about orienting myself when..

“Why do you keep doing that when you hold my hand mummy?” Little R asks me as I am trying to navigate our way through a crowd, each boy on either side of me. Metaphorically, they are my hands, I can’t help but notice.

”What do you mean by that?” I ask him.
“You do this” he explains- caressing my hand as if I were squeezing it. “You started doing this in 2024” he looks up at me. “Why do you do that mummy?”. “I do that when I am thinking a lot” I say to him.

But deep down I know what it is. An anxiety response to my PD symptoms. I wish I could tell you my darling but not now, not now. “Don’t think so much mummy” he says in his characteristic soft voice. “I love you” says my seven year old . And suddenly this new country goes blurry. I squeeze his hand once more and continue walking towards the coach that will take us to the hotel.

#antalya #dayzero #yopd #parkinsonsdisease

Feb 16, 2025 6:26:41 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

A little reminder We often forget our most important relationship. The relationship with ourselves. When was the last time you really loved yourself, gave yourself time? It is true, you have to love yourself. You have to learn to love yourself because nobody will love you the way you want them to. So look after yourself. You are your only constant. The sooner you learn this the better.

A little reminder

We often forget our most important relationship. The relationship with ourselves. When was the last time you really loved yourself, gave yourself time? It is true, you have to love yourself.

You have to learn to love yourself because nobody will love you the way you want them to. So look after yourself.

You are your only constant.
The sooner you learn this the better.

Feb 14, 2025 5:50:26 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

I started writing as a means of learning to cope with my diagnosis and everything that came with it. I remember writing furiously and urgently. It was as if I had this urge to let it all out. I would read out my notes to my husband every evening. He would be sorting dinner for the kids whilst I sat by the dining table reading out my most private thoughts over squeals of laughter from peppa pig and barks of ‘pawwsome’ by paw patrol.

Somehow this comfortable chaos provided me with a safe environment – one that cradled me in its arms when I was at my most vulnerable. On one such evening, the concept of starting a little page to share my writing emerged and today, 3 years later, here we are.

Onwards and upwards.

Thanks for all your love and support.

It means a lot.

#anniversary #threetoday

Feb 12, 2025 8:29:33 pm

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My Rainbow Umbrella

Grey skies, the wind messing my hair, my fingers turning into icicles inside my gloves and rain that suddenly turns into hail. I desperately look around for the closest shelter and seek refuge at a bus stop. I almost get splashed by a speeding car and my already sullen mood transforms into anger . That’s when I see a little girl in her school uniform under a rainbow coloured umbrella.

I am nine again and ask my mum for what seems like the tenth time to please buy me the big rainbow umbrella which I can sling across my back with its black string. My mother is reticent.

”But you will lose it, darling.
Why do you need such a big umbrella anyway? What if someone steals it ?
Wait till you become at least twelve years old and then we will buy you that umbrella okay?”

I throw a massive tantrum. I say I will not eat my food and not do my homework. My grandmother Papama overhears this conversation and tells me that if I help her make chapati for a whole month: the umbrella will be mine.

My mum is grateful for this idea. Papama makes sure I help her every day and that month of May in Mumbai’s unforgiving summer reminds me of heat and sweating profusely before the open flamed hob- roasting chapatis. I dream about the monsoon that will soon arrive and see myself kipping across puddles, covered securely by my very own rainbow coloured umbrella.

Rain finally brings respite. More importantly it brings with it a rainbow coloured umbrella.

#rainbow #umbrellallas
#rainbowumbrella #childhood #blastfromthepast

Jan 29, 2025 10:55:21 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

I am often asked…

Why do I care so much?

Perhaps because I recognise the healing power of feeling loved and being looked after. I am grateful to have been born in a family where love wasn’t proclaimed by words , no. It was felt in small everyday actions. Actions that were so ingrained in our behaviour that we often took them for granted- cooking someone’s favourite meal, recording a favourite show , playing board games , helping with homework, serving an extra scoop of ice cream, keeping everyone posted if you were going to be home late and apologising when needed .

Why do I give so generously

I grew up witnessing the power of generosity. I saw how it changed the lives of many people around me By generosity I don’t mean just from a monetary
perspective. I am referring to generosity of thought and action . Helping someone because you can is what guided me, still guides me. Being in a position to help someone is a privilege and I learnt that at a very young age.

Why am I kind?

I have seen how ruthlessness breaks people. However I have also seen the restorative power of kindness. I have experienced the healing power of kindness and have learned that kindness is not rocket science. It is simply an attitude, one that we must choose.

#perspective

Jan 26, 2025 10:28:41 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

When I talk about my condition its not because I want your pity. It is to make you aware that I am living in the same world as you and playing by the same rules as you. The world hasn’t changed its rules for me because I have a degenerative condition. The rules are not less hard neither are the goals I am expected to meet any different.

I am still expected to be gainfully employed, raise a family, socialise with family and friends, and live life with a positive attitude. All that while my body sometimes struggles to walk, my mind is a crazy battlefield and all I want to do sometimes is curl up and disappear.

So when I talk about my symptoms I am not making excuses for being absent or disengaged. I am only sharing my vulnerability to lend you perspective – a simple task of opening the front door maybe easy for you but for me, it needs to be planned lest I freeze or stumble. Thanks for reading. I appreciate it.

#parkinsonsdisease #perspective

Jan 21, 2025 4:36:03 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

I’m attending a Writing Character workshop by Raw Writing.

So, I was assigned the following character and I would like to share task 1 with you 🙂

Delilah Desmond – Caribbean origin, large lady, 60 yrs old, Events Manager. Likes to wear big earrings and bright coloured skirts, Was diagnosed as deaf age 09. Dominating personality.

*A day in the life of Delilah Desmond*

It is Friday morning. To be specific, Friday the thirteenth of December 2024. Delilah is rushing about in her kitchen within a studio apartment overlooking a quiet street in otherwise crowded Brixton. The ceramic tiles on the kitchen counter form a geometric pattern of triangles and squares – a combination of royal blue and sunny yellow. It reminds Delilah of her childhood home in Jamaica. Of how the sun would shine its brightest at noon, the blue of the ocean resembling shards of glass as the sunrays deflected from the water’s surface. For a moment, Delilah feels as if she is a child again, 5 years old, singing ‘Always take the weather with you’ as she runs bare footed on the white sand. She has a faint recollection of her voice but it is her mother’s voice that rings clearly in her memory. She wonders whether it was the last thing she heard before the doctors at the local pedeatric hospital in Jamaica declared her deaf. Yes, Delilah Desmond was declared deaf at age 9.

What they say is true. When one sense is taken away, the other senses are sharpened perhaps because of over compensation. Delilah has amazing eyesight. At 60, her vision is nearly perfect and this lends beautifully to her aesthetic sense. She relies on this a lot especially at her job as Events Manager for a charity that works for the hearing impaired. She is the force behind all the events that the Charity organises. It is a huge job especially because most of the funding relies on its success.

Today is a very important day as there is a Christmas event organised for all the trust members and their families. Delilah’s team have worked extremely hard. She doesn’t take no for an answer and likes things to be done her way. Although sometimes there maybe some disgruntled staff, they soon learn to pick their battles and challenging Delilah’s aesthetic vision is not one they would choose.

Delilah sits at the wooden dining table and finishes her tea and toast quite quickly. She wonders whether her choice of outfit for the event is too loud for her size 2o image. But she doesn’t give it another thought. She feels some Christmas cheer as she sees the video of Holly Jolly Chrismas on television. With a spring in her step she gets up from the dining table and walks towards her bedroom. A crimson red skirt with a white satin blouse and candy cane earrings is what she will wear today. For today’s woke generation – this is her OOTD! Delilah feels positive – she knows that the event today will be a mighty success. She can’t wait for holidays and for life to slow down to a comfortable pace. Now however, she must go go go! So she gets ready, puts on her best perfume and walks out of her apartment with purposeful strides taking her quickly to Brixton underground station.

#character #writingcharacter #HeyThereDelilah

Jan 17, 2025 6:29:27 pm

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“Come join us”

I transitioned from working as a Human Resources professional to writing full time around five years ago. This decision was fuelled by my medical diagnosis amongst other reasons. However I never really stopped wearing my HR hat.

Last evening I was getting my nails done at one of Mumbai’s iconic hotels and the staff there were complaining to each other about the air conditioning being too strong near the nails station causing frequent coughs and colds. I encouraged them to speak to their manager and suggested a couple of solutions.

One senior employee then said to me “Ma’am, you should be our HR manager”. “Yes Ma’am, aap kitni pyaari ho” another staff member added. I was so taken aback that all I did was blush and say thank you.

Once an HR person, always an HR person I guess 🙂

#humanresourcesmanagement #humanresources #HRManagement #empathy #peoplesolutions

Jan 04, 2025 4:38:58 am

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I am in Bombay and this is a revelation #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsons #yopd

I am in Bombay and this is a revelation

#parkinsonsdisease #parkinsons #yopd

Dec 29, 2024 1:27:24 pm

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#dubaidiaries #day2

“We did a lot of things today”

A day trip to Abu Dhabi followed by a children’s experiential play museum and a visit to the world’s tallest building. The last leg was the hardest. In hindsight it was the worst decision to visit the Burj on Saturday night. Cueing my brain helped with freezing. Imagine a crowded mall then queuing up in serpentine queues and going in and out of elevators. A living nightmare. Lesson learnt. The highlight of the day however was my little one writing down a perfect sentence. “We did a lot of things today”. His handwriting, neat and precise.

“I just need to write this” we were told as we prepared to switch off the lights. Now where have I heard that before?

#dubaidiaries #parkinsonsdisease

Dec 22, 2024 1:46:44 am

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#dubaidiaries #Day01

6pm – Swimming with the dolphins. My medication pattern is messed up thanks to the time zones. ”I really want to be there for my family. I don’t want my kids to feel bad.”

These thoughts torment me endlessly. But then I have to go with the flow and my body thankfully cooperates. Right from changing into a wetsuit to splashing around with the dolphin, I I do it all.

And this for me is quiet triumph

A small voice from within me says “You can, You still can.” I take a deep breath and carry on.

#notesonthego #parkinsonsdisease #yopd #keepgoing

Dec 21, 2024 7:39:26 am

Notes On The Go updated their status.

Dubai Diary #day0

2 am – we are at the immigration desk at Dubai airport. A four hour flight delay has resulted in two extremely tired kids and two adults trying to keep their wits together. We are in no mood for random banter . We need food and sleep not necessarily in that order.

“Were you little bit fat before?” the Immigration officer asks me glancing at my passport photograph. in my sleepy state of mind and exhausted body I just look at him, perhaps look through him.

“But now you are good, so good “ he adds.

“Good enough to enter your country?” I cannot stop myself from asking him.

And all he does is smile and stamps my passport.

🙄

#DubaiDiary #notesonthego

Dec 20, 2024 12:59:15 pm

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An Ode

As we approach the end of 2024, I realise that it has been a tremendous year for me from a writing perspective. With In Between Love released earlier in the year to finishing my first memoir and also completing the first draft of a second one, this year has been creatively very fulfilling.
I have also been part of writing workshops and mentorship programmes which have helped me grow as a writer. I have realised the importance of a writing community and am so glad to have found Raw Writing

Last evening, I attended a Master Class by the wonderful Carla of Raw Writing and wrote an ode to writing itself.

Dear Writing

Thank you for existing in my being in different forms. Be it the nuance of language, the weight of concepts or the delicate nature of emotion.

Thank you for emerging from within my core in the form of spontaneous poetry, considered essays or pieces of fiction that I never imagined I could create.

Thank you also for giving me a sense of deep fulfilment and pure joy when I am able to write down my thoughts. A process that I used to take for granted but no longer do. I am ever grateful for the miracle that is the mind.

Finally, thank you for providing me with certainty in a life that has become rather uncertain and providing me with a safe space to which I can always return to.

Love
S

Here’s to a more fulfilling 2025.

Lots to do ❤️

#reflection #lookingback #writing #anode #anodetowriting

Dec 16, 2024 9:15:49 am

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 #lettinggo

From The Sidelines

I sit by the sidelines and wonder what I did to deserve this. The world did not make allowances for me. I had to carry on as if nothing happened when in fact a lot had happened. So much had happened that I had to step away from the playing field. The rules of the game were no longer fair. Nobody changed the rules for me and nobody even challenged these rules on my behalf.

I don’t buy into the bullshit response to that. Yes, the one that tells me patronisingly that everyone has their own problems. I do agree but the nature of the problems differ. I try hard not to let things affect me but I am human. Not some AI person trying to pretend that she is okay.

#parkinsonsdiseaseawareness #yopd #lettinggo

Dec 04, 2024 5:00:22 pm

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Grieving Food

Food for me is more than just a source of nutrition and sustenance. It is more than just what my body needs to survive. It is a trigger for the many memories that I have come to associate with different types of food over the years. So, when I am now forced to give up on certain foods, it is a loss and a type of grief of a different kind. It is the inability to relieve memories of the people I love and the places I have been to, as I remember them. It is the lack of control to rewrite and re-create these memories that is hard to deal with at the moment.

The smell of the chicken dum biryani that permeates my nostrils as the big metal vat is opened up. It’s my birthday and mummy has made one of my most favourite meals. It is a perfect lunch for the first day of the New Year.

The crunch of the surmai fish fry as I bite into it.
My parents sitting by me on our dining table in Bombay as I eat this. It doesn’t matter anymore that my flight was delayed. It doesn’t matter that it is two am.

The sight of the prawn koliwada at the beachside hut. Long languid afternoon lunches in Goa. Our extended family all together. Sunshine and synergy in equal measure.

The burst of flavours as I lift a mouthful of chicken tikka masala and scoop it into my mouth.
My most favourite celebratory meal. Exam results, new job, published book..

The sizzle of the chicken pepper sizzler at my favourite restaurant. Friends catching up after many years. Laughter caressing my soul.

Yes I know that substitutes are available. I know that plant-based diets are recommended and perhaps even more healthy but my point is not about making healthy choices. It is about something much deeper than that . It is locking that memory box right now without being able to add more similar memories to it.

These will now remain a sensory experience that I once shared with my closest family and friends. Sometimes even in moments of solitude in order to cope with this cruel condition.

Yes, the irony is not lost on me.

#notesonthego #parkinsonsdisease #food #grief #lettinggo #yopd

Pic credit – Nelson Tse

Nov 24, 2024 8:03:06 am

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pgoing

Dear Snehal ,

How are you? How old are you now? 60? 65? I wonder if you can read properly or has that blasted disease affected your vision too? Do you remember yourself from about 30 years ago? The anxiety, the helplessness, the uncertainty about the future. I hope it is not as bad as you imagined it to be.

Can you recollect moments from your own life or have they been wiped away once again by that merciless tyrant of a disease? I hope you are living with dignity and are surrounded by love, lots of love. That brings me to your wonderful sons. I imagine that they have grown up to become strappy young men oozing charm, kindness and generosity. Are they good looking? Of course they are! I hope that they have done well for themselves and are making you proud as always. I wonder if R has retired from his working life and that he is making time for himself and for you in particular.

I hope that you are still able to travel far and wide irrespective of the challenges that you face on a daily basis. How do you keep yourself busy now? Do you still read as voraciously as you used to? Are you able to still write? I’m hedging my bets on you having released at least eight books by now.

Please tell me that you now have at home, a dog or at least a cat or two? I know they always brought you joy so I sincerely hope that you are basking in their love.

Finally, I wish that a cure has been found.

Love,

Your Younger Self

#parkinsonsdisease #lettertomyolderself
#notesonthego #keepgoing

Nov 21, 2024 10:24:56 pm

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The Lone Slice

Today I bought a single slice of the classic New York cheesecake from the supermarket. I was of course happy that I had the choice of buying just one slice instead of the entire cheesecake. It saved me from the wastage and the extra calories that I would have invariably piled on. “Why waste?” being the obvious rationale for over indulgence.

Despite being grateful for this choice available to me, it saddened me in some way. It reflected the changing society around me. Who would buy a single slice of cheesecake? A lone pensioner?, a student?, a family on a very tight budget? Or perhaps someone like me who can afford to buy smaller quantities of say 4 desserts because my family has the privilege to like or dislike a particular dessert.

And this further unnerved me because food for me is about sharing, fighting over the largest piece, licking the bowl until it is squeaky clean. It reminds me of togetherness, gleeful banter and many many happy memories. And I fear that these memories may never visit my children when they become older.

A rather sombre note for cheesecake – I know, but for the record, the cheesecake was absolutely delicious!

#cheesecake #notesonthego

Oct 26, 2024 5:20:12 pm

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Soulful Spaces

Some spaces are instantly welcoming. They fill me with a sense of calm and positive energy. I could for example sit staring outside this door for hours, the greenery kneading my soul, reminding me of happy moments spent in the garden.

The light is uplifting as it engulfs me in its radiance. The wooden furniture adds an earthy touch to the whole ambience. It’s raining outside and so I curl up with a book, gently nodding off into peaceful slumber.

#soulfulhouse #SoulfulSpaces #WelcomingSpaces

©️mommy.snippets

Oct 20, 2024 2:53:32 pm

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Crossword

Black and white squares in a neat grid within the pages of the daily newspaper. My grandfather sitting on his favourite armchair overlooking the balcony and attempting to complete the crossword. The rigour of routine creates a sort of whirlwind around this man who appears to be in a world of his own , deep in thought, as if his only goal for the day is to complete the crossword.

Breakfast has to wait, only tea is allowed while he continues trying to work out the various clues. Sometimes random clues are heard within the living room, the tone of his voice reflecting how well he has been progressing. “Another word for perseverance…hmmm”, “Name of the longest river…oh really? That’s simple”

The world around him is in a hurry- they have things to do, people to meet, places to go. But not my grandfather, no. He seeks solace in structure, positivity in the predictability of life’s patterns. He craves routine and this task of solving the crossword is just the opening act of the play that is his life.

He is the protagonist and he continues playing his part perfectly until the curtain closes.

#crossword #grandfather #childhood #memories

Oct 05, 2024 3:52:03 pm

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THIRD WHEEL

Have you been a third wheel? That friend who is basically hanging around two others who get on really well? It sucks doesn’t it? When you are an afterthought, a “chal usko bhi bulate hain, group discount milega” kinda pal.

Have you seen an auto rickshaw? That wheel in the front carries the load, supporting the two wheels behind it. It leads from the front, it does all this on its own.

But you know what? You don’t have to be the third wheel always. Sometimes it’s important to take a step back and perhaps upgrade to a car or downsize to a scooter.

After all, they call it odd and even for a reason.

©️mommy.snippets

#thirdwheeling #thirdwheel #deservebetter #keepgoing #youngonsetparkinsons

Oct 02, 2024 9:41:19 pm

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Dear Little R

I accompanied you to choose new frames for your eyeglasses. There were plenty of frames on display at the opticians. You stood by the display stand, your eyes assessing, full of concentration. I chose a couple of frames for you to try but you rejected those without even trying them on. After a couple more minutes you confidently told the optician “ I would like transparent ones please”. The optician was happy to have made some progress at least with this young customer. You tried out 3 frames and without much deliberation said “I would like these glasses please”. Are you sure I asked you because I did not want you to change your mind after going home. Yes I am very sure you reassured me.

As we walked out of the opticians and made our way towards the car I heard you softly ask “mummy do you know why I wanted those glasses?” And as I looked at you curiously you answered “because I want the same ones as you- we can be twins!” “Awwww darling, I would have never guessed” I said, happiness enveloping us in a bubble. You held on to my hand tightly and we almost floated across the car park.

#motherhood #mothersndson #myboy #mybabyboy #firstborn #bittersweet #notesonthego #mummy #mummynotes #glasses #optician #twinning #joy #littlemomentsofhappiness

Sep 28, 2024 2:54:08 pm

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Card Game

Imagine that you are playing a game of cards with Mr P. The game has been tough but you have persevered, hoping against hope that you can win at least one round which tantalizingly could be this one. But No!!

And every time you feel like you are winning , out comes a bloody good card that Mr P quietly slides across the table for you to open. Wow you think to yourself, how on earth did that happen and as you try making sense of it all, the world just keeps moving ahead. Leaving you to figure it all out once again. Pushing you to the ground and taking your ladder away. And you remain there until you figure out your next move. Whether this is for two days or two months depends on how strong you feel to resume the next round of cards with Mr P , wishing that maybe this time at least luck will be kind to you.
©️mommy.snippets

#parkinsonslookslikeme #cardgames #youngonsetparkinsons #PDawareness

Sep 26, 2024 6:41:47 pm

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TIME 🕰️

Time passes by very slowly. It resembles an old person walking the length of a long corridor. It drags its feet, sometimes stops to take a breath and often sighs. It makes me very aware of myself. I want it to pass more quickly so that it can return to its young self, moving ahead with purpose, looking forward with confidence.

But oh well time takes its time and while it does this my mind is feeling helpless, almost suffocated. Because it is the mind of a young person and it does not like it when it is asked to direct and guide the body of what appears to now be the body of an old person. The disconnect is far too much so it begins to do something unsettling. It begins to make me feel. It begins to make me feel frustrated, helpless and angry.

Imagine dealing with all of this when time in fact does not wait for anyone. No, that is a great disconnect. So as I deal with my internal disconnection, I am also dealing with this external disconnection with the world around me. Time keeps ticking,wondering why I can’t catch up with it, sometimes having far too much of it, sometimes being in an utter state of disorientation.

So when I try to make time for people and practices, please know that this time for me is precious because it is very rare that my mind and body are in complete sync and I have chosen to share this time with you.

My body wilting
My mind sinking
My soul aching

I wish I did not, degenerate

#time #parkinsonslookslikeme #parkinsons #ParkinsonsAwareness

Sep 25, 2024 10:55:48 am

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PRETEND

There’s only so much pretending you can do.

Pretending to be interested in tea, meat (which you rarely even eat), baby clothes, pet food.

But when you end up at the supermarket when your meds have worn out or you are waiting for the meds to kick in, you learn to pretend. You check out food labels, stare at products that you don’t want to buy, look up and down the shelves, memorise coffee brands FFS and even arrange them in descending order for price.

🎭You pretend because your kids maybe wondering why you aren’t keeping pace with them, Dad and the trolley.

🎭You pretend because you don’t want to hobble.

🎭You pretend because you don’t want a random person asking you whether you are okay.

🎭You pretend because you don’t want to freeze in themiddle of the supermarket

🎭You pretend because you messed up planning every single detail of your life around your medication

🎭You pretend because today you are tired of explaining to people that YES PARKINSON’S fuckin LOOKS LIKE ME

#parkinsons #youngonsetparkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonslookslikeme #pdawareness #offtimes #letsfindacure #ac2fb

Sep 21, 2024 6:19:54 pm

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💎 Gem 💎

“Dada, kashi aasa re? Magello preeticho Dada re tu” Gangi akka would say affectionately to my Ajju who would blush in response and kindly smile. Gangi Akka was his only sister and she would express affection for him whenever she visited us in our home in Bandra.

“D’mello teacher kashi aasaa maa?” She would ask me about my nursery teacher every time she met us and would regale us all with the story of how I would be convinced to attend nursery in exchange for just one “ cadbury gem” equivalent to today’s M n M. She would imitate how I would say “D’mello” as a three year old, making everyone around her chuckle. It wasn’t as if they were hearing this story for the first time. It was Gangi akka’s storytelling skills that made it enjoyable every single time.

Gangi akka was a formidable woman – resilient and affectionate. She was that strong string that held together her large family. So today, when my mum informed me of her passing, I was really upset. It’s not like I was very close to her but then some individuals end up touching your life by just being there. And to think now that she’s left us, is hard to process but I then think that she must be knocking on heaven’s door asking in her most authoritative tone “Deva, Dada keen aasa re magello?” (Dear God, where is my Dada?).

#tribute #inremembrance #omshanti

Sep 17, 2024 12:11:00 pm

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Encounter

I went into central London today after many months. The cab drove past the University residence halls that I lived in exactly 16 years ago. My cab was barely moving due to tremendous traffic but I wasn’t complaining as it was a surreal moment for me.

I saw my younger self walking along the footpath, a spring in her step, a smile upon her face and a big mustard coloured tote bag brimming over with books and such. She seemed happy, my younger self, – dreaming big dreams, humming the latest Bollywood tune. She was on her way to a book club meeting at a local pub. Her path was covered with a blanket of leaves – auburn, maroon, orange. She tugged on her scarf to protect her from the sudden gust of wind. She dreamt of a big mug of hot chocolate and began to walk faster towards her destination.

“HEY!” I called out to her from the confines of my cab, headed to see my neurologist. She turned around and looked me in the eye. I saw the same courage and determination in her eyes. “You’ve got this” she mouthed to me. I nodded slowly in response, pretending to appear braver than I felt.

#youngerself #Encounter #yopd #parkinson

Sep 13, 2024 7:08:57 am

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And just like that we got here.

The mighty school gates were still shut, awaiting the chaos that was brewing within the school building. The quiet that descended around us was a different kind of quiet. One simmering with anticipation and sprinkled with nerves. I kept looking at you, making sure you were feeling ok. You seemed a little anxious but were calm through and through.

We saw other children, your soon to be peers and their parents.You smiled at them politely but were distracted by your surroundings. Your playground, the path leading to the swimming pool and the sunflowers! Oh yes those tall gorgeous flowers! “Look mummmyyyy there are 3! One for you, one for Dada and one for me” and saying this you smiled widely as if the thought was comforting to carry you through an unfamiliar environment.

I gave your shoulder a gentle squeeze and as I bent down to say goodbye you said “Take care of yourself mummy, I love you”

And just like that we got here.

#firstdayofschool #reception #mybaby

Sep 09, 2024 4:32:27 pm

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#parkinsons and #grief

When you live with a degenerative condition like Parkinson’s, you have to constantly deal with different stages of grief. You may be experiencing aggravation of current symptoms or the onset of new ones, both of which involve grieving the degeneration of your body. The stages of grief however will differ for each case and very often you will be going through these stages simultaneously.

For example, the worsening of the motor function in your hand could be considered as one symptom that has become worse overtime whereas brain fog may be an entirely new symptom that you have to deal with. So in the former you may be at the acceptance stage of grief but with the latter you may still be at the denial stage.

Nobody talks about the mental impact that Parkinson’s has on those living with the condition. Dopamine as we know is also responsible for emotional regulation which again plays a big role when trying to navigate a complex emotion such as grief. So be kind to yourself and seek help if you need to.

You are not alone.

#griefsupport #parkinsons #youngonsetparkinsons

Sep 05, 2024 6:36:08 pm

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Today during my off time you asked me to help fasten your wrist watch. My fingers were stiff, my legs were shaking and I was just unable to do this for you. Looking at you waiting patiently for me to get my act together broke me . “I’m sorry!” I cried, “I can’t help you right now”. You immediately said “mummmyyyy it’s not urgent don’t cry” and then you hugged me and said “I love you mummy”. Once I calmed down you calmly said “ Alexa play sona kitna sona hai” asking Alexa to play my favourite song. And now I am speechless. Thinking about when you grew up so quickly. #parkinsons #youngonsetparkinsons #parkinsonsuk #parenting

Today during my off time you asked me to help fasten your wrist watch. My fingers were stiff, my legs were shaking and I was just unable to do this for you. Looking at you waiting patiently for me to get my act together broke me . “I’m sorry!” I cried, “I can’t help you right now”. You immediately said “mummmyyyy it’s not urgent don’t cry” and then you hugged me and said “I love you mummy”. Once I calmed down you calmly said “ Alexa play sona kitna sona hai” asking Alexa to play my favourite song.

And now I am speechless. Thinking about when you grew up so quickly.

#parkinsons #youngonsetparkinsons #parkinsonsuk #parenting

Sep 04, 2024 3:54:22 pm

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I’m delighted to share with you that my poem ‘lifeboat’ has been published in the AIMS journal. The organisation works towards improving maternal care and maternity services within the UK. The theme was trust You can read my poem by following the link below https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/trust-birth-poetry

I’m delighted to share with you that my poem ‘lifeboat’ has been published in the AIMS journal. The organisation works towards improving maternal care and maternity services within the UK.

The theme was trust

You can read my poem by following the link below

https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/trust-birth-poetry

Sep 01, 2024 11:18:31 am

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Mobile uploads

BOSS

I have been training my brain to do tasks that it used to excel in but because of PD it degenerated in function.

My right hand which was quick, efficient and adept had become the exact opposite. I needed to do something. I had to show my brain who is boss. Using my organisational psychology and human resources binoculars, not all bosses are effective in everything they do right? So I am taking matters into my own hands. Pun entirely intended.

Today I completed a 500 piece puzzle with help from my boys. It was not an easy task , not at all. When I started doing it, my symptoms took over. Previously I would have succumbed and gone away from the scene . however I challenged myself, I carried on . I carried on despite the stiffness which led to tremors in my leg. The puzzle pieces were small, testing my fine motor skills to the maximum.

But here’s the thing. As I kept going on and on and continuing the task , something strange happened. My symptoms did not harass me as much. In neuro speak this might be the beginning of Neuroplasticity.

Keep moving .

You have got this.

#parkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #yopd #youngonsetparkinsons #neuroplasticity #keepmoving #movementismedicine

Aug 26, 2024 4:10:50 pm

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✨ Raksha Bandhan ✨

How does one explain festivals to children growing up in two different cultures?

By celebrating them.

Today as we celebrated Raksha Bandhan, there was neither mithai nor traditional rakhis; neither Indian clothing nor elaborate gifts. We made rakhis at home with ribbons and stickers. Chocolate cookies happily substituted for mithai. The traditional ‘thaal’ was replaced by a colourful ceramic plate along with a tea light instead of an oil lamp.

But hey here’s what there was in plenty – togetherness,belonging, respect and above all, gratitude and love for one another 💕

#rakshabandhan #brothersisterlove #siblinglove #gratitude #festivalsofindia #homeawayfromhome #thesepeople #family

Aug 25, 2024 4:45:55 pm

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Dear R and R,

When did we go from carrying formula bottles, sterilisers, bibs, baby snacks, lotion and a million other things in your baby bag to carrying just a water bottle? And maybe a packet of wipes if we remember?
The baby bag would be packed to its fullest capacity even if we had to go out for a meal. The meal was of course planned in accordance with your mealtime and naptime to ensure that we were able to eat without having to multitask – feeding you, pacifying you, entertaining you, holding you, running after you. Sometimes ,all of these while eating or trying to eat our own food.
Today, when you both served yourselves independently from the buffet it made me think out aloud- Where did those years go my babies?
Yes, time that magician is at work again!

©️mommy.snippets

#motherhood #stopgrowingupsofast #howdidwegetheresofast #myboys #travellingwithkids #thedaysarelongbuttheyearsareshort

Aug 18, 2024 12:55:45 pm

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Goodbyes Memories come gushing My mind trying to grapple with what was and what is My body still figuring out how different it feels in a once familiar world Goodbyes are said hurriedly Eye contact avoided cautiously Side hugs appear fleetingly “When next?” “Why now?” “How come?” “I wish I..” “I hope we..” And just like that It’s time to return home ©️mommy.snippets #belonging #home #goodbyes

Goodbyes

Memories come gushing
My mind trying to grapple with what was and what is
My body still figuring out how different it feels in a once familiar world

Goodbyes are said hurriedly
Eye contact avoided cautiously
Side hugs appear fleetingly

“When next?”
“Why now?”
“How come?”

“I wish I..”
“I hope we..”

And just like that
It’s time to return home

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#belonging #home #goodbyes

Aug 06, 2024 7:43:16 am

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Five Days

How do you fit five long years into five short days? You don’t because those years have passed you by and on every day of those five years, you have been there for each other. Through the good times, the hard times and even the ho-hum mundane times. So when you hug each other after all this time you hold on a bit longer, embrace a little tighter , avoiding eye contact because the eyes have already expressed what cannot be translated into words.

You don’t know where to begin so you exchange presents and focus on the food until the words start escaping your mouths, halting at first then at breakneck speed. You fervently start planning these five days to make enough memories. Just enough to comfort you, until you meet again.

#bestfeelingever #bff #fivedays #fiveyears #grateful

Aug 01, 2024 5:57:28 am

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Mr Parkinson’s is a thief. Today he stole from me in broad daylight. He doesn’t care if it’s your son’s birthday or the fact that you don’t want to miss out on these moments. Mr P is cruel and ruthless. How dare you even think about going to an amusement park?! And how absolutely incorrigent of you to attempt going on rides?

So sometimes you have to step back and let him think that he’s won. You use this time when the rest of your family is going on rides to stroll through the gift shop and buy presents for your children. You make a booking for lunch at their favourite restaurant. You learn how to compromise. So although you can’t always win, you can still show up in your own way. It’s not easy, no. But you learn how to be comfortable with detours because this journey is hard and you do what you need to, to survive it.

#parkinsonsdisease #parentingwithparkinsons

Jul 27, 2024 11:58:44 am

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What Does SEVEN SOUND like?

“Mummy are you ok?”

“Don’t be naughty, can’t you see mummy is tired?”

“Ask me Maths questions! Please?”

“Stop copying meeeee”

“Come with me, don’t be afraid”

“Let’s play in the garden!”

“I read 45 pages in 2 days!!”

“I need a cuddle”

“I love you”

“Where do babies come from?”

“Is God alive?”

#sevensoon #seven #whatdoessevensoundlike #notesonthego

Jul 23, 2024 5:07:34 pm

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What Does SEVEN TASTE like?

Seven tastes like the sheer satisfaction of eating an ice lolly on a hot summer’s day

Seven tastes like the willingness to explore and the ability to adapt

Seven tastes like knowing exactly what and when you want it

Seven tastes like realising the meaning of true friendship

Seven tastes like taking true pride in your work

Seven tastes like a thirst for adventure

Seven tastes like recognising the flavour of success

Seven tastes like that bittersweet emotion of saying goodbye

#seven #whatdoesseventastelike #notesonthego #sevensoon #mysweetheart #whenicountmyblessings

Jul 22, 2024 12:36:06 pm

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Looking Back

Why do I often reflect and introspect ? Why this need to look back at the past? To rekindle those millions of memories that are stored in my mind? Why not focus on the present and plan for the future?

Living with a condition that gets worse over time means that along with the future, the present is also unpredictable. So I seek solace in happy memories where I was free from the shackles of PD. Where I did not have to plan my whole life according to medication, exercise and so on.

“Oh, but you look very well. You don’t look sick at all.”

Yes that’s true because you see only those sides of me that I choose to show to you.

You don’t see me when I cannot walk because of terrible dystonia and extreme stiffness. You don’t see me crying, because mum guilt is slashing my heart. You don’t see me when my medication fails to work and I have no control over my symptoms.

However, I try my best to give my hundred percent to the present because I know that it is this present that will remain in the memories of my children as they grow up and I sincerely want their memories to be happy ones.

#parkinsonsdiseaseawareness #notesonthego #parentingwithchronicillness

Jul 19, 2024 5:03:55 pm

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What Does Seven FEEL Like?

Seven feels like your baby fat melting away

Seven feels like double the energy of when you were 3

Seven feels like sometimes being told off by a mini version of myself

Seven feels like going without a bath for 2 days straight and still feeling fresh!

Seven feels like real responsibility for your younger siblings

Seven feels like the need to escape to your corner of comfort

Seven feels like constantly wondering if certain foods will uproot your wobbly teeth

Seven feels like leadership, intelligence, energy and loads of fun!

#7 #mylittleboyalways #seven #notesonthego

Jul 17, 2024 9:21:39 am

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The lion sleeps tonight

It was different with you as compared to your brother as it was a different me.

The me that was afraid of stepping out of the house on her own, the me whose self confidence had taken a beating. The me that was scared to lock the main door of the house and manoeuvre your buggy up and down its two steps.

I felt beaten but I was carrying on trying to relate to this world again. So as you ventured Into this big world I was doing the same. Taking a bus, interacting with the Nursery staff, filling out a number of forms, participating in the settling in days were all difficult for me not just emotionally but also physically . I was still learning how to manage myself and my symptoms and you, my darling, were so patient with me as always.

So as you stood there with your graduation hat and gown singing to the tune of. “ in the jungle the mighty jungle” with your lion mask threatening to slip off your face , it brought back memories….

“Hush, my darling, don’t fear, my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush, my darling, don’t fear, my darling
The lion sleeps tonight, ho, ho!”

#PreschoolGraduation #MyLittleBoyAlways #MyPreciousBoy #bigschoolherewecome #mysweetheart #notesonthego #motherhood #parentingwithchronicillness #parkinsonsdiseaseawareness #youngonsetparkinsonsdisease #letsfindacure

Jul 15, 2024 6:59:52 am

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My oldest turns 7 in two weeks time and I want to this magical number through my senses. First up is SMELL #7 #seven #turning7 #magicalnumber7 #myson #firstborn #lightofmylife #Ronak

My oldest turns 7 in two weeks time and I want to this magical number through my senses.

First up is SMELL

#7 #seven #turning7 #magicalnumber7 #myson #firstborn #lightofmylife #Ronak

Jul 12, 2024 8:39:20 am

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“Choose a decade, in the same way that Haddon has chosen the 1970s. Find a picture of the seaside from that decade and write three paragraphs that include as many minor and specific details as possible.” Raw Writing

So I chose a photograph of Juhu Beach in the 90s and here is what I wrote about it

Juhu Beach 1990

A line of tall green palm trees dot the periphery of the beach. It is as if they were placed there by mother nature herself, as guardians of her precious sea. Amongst the palm trees, Bombay’s iconic Citizen hotel appears to be looking out, reminding you of an actor peeking from behind the maroon curtains of a stage, trying to gauge their audience. A beer bar as indicated by the capital font on a low lying wall stands next to the hotel.

Hawkers selling food stand parallel to the length of the sea. Bombay’s unforgiving sun shines its brightest and strongest around noon and its wrath is felt by these hawkers attempting to lure customers. An old man stands beside a cart holding sweet and sour fruit- berries, amla, tamarind. Mounds of yellow, red and brown meet your eye.

Suddenly, you are distracted by an ice cream seller. The cones hang around his cart like bunting at a celebration . Eating an ice cream as the Sun beats down on you is celebration enough. The line of hawkers continue for a long distance ensuring that wherever the beach you may be,you will never have to walk more than a few steps to feel satiated.

A sliver of the sea water can be seen with a couple of receding waves at the far end. The sea seems to be mild this afternoon, happy for the Sun to take the blame.

#Beach#Seaside#Mumbai #1990 #juhu
#JuhuChowpatty

Pic credit https://suvethagopal.blogspot.com/2018/05/my-mumbai-experience-in-1990s.html

Jul 10, 2024 10:26:45 am

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Dear Baby R

I am going to become all emotional now because heelloooo where has the time gone? Are you…I mean are YOU starting school this September? Oh baby boy, I refuse to process this. Personally for me, these last 4 years have been nothing short of surfing the water and riding the waves. Waves came in quick succession didn’t they?. Some big, some small and one so mighty that I am still trying to keep my head above water. Through alllll of this, you have been by my side the longest.

Just by being there, you give me immense strength and the will to carry on, even on days that almost convince me to give up. So in a way I am more apprehensive. I am the one scared to let go. Your smile, your nods, your expressive encouraging eyes give me so much strength my darling! Very soon you will join your brother at school and take with you my little sidekick. I took this physical presence for granted, I have come to rely on it tremendously and for some time I know I will struggle as I fall into the lap of a new routine. I can’t stop time and we have to keep moving, seeking moments of joy where we can, secure in the knowledge that at the end of the day all of us will return home to one another.

I can’t wait to see you bloom!

Love,

Mummy

🖨️mommy.snippets

#babyboy #startingschool #howdidwegetheresofast ❤️

Jul 02, 2024 5:08:38 pm

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India won the cricket world cup over the weekend but I feel no genuine joy. Zero. Nada. Zilch. I can hear my husband screaming and shouting , high fiving my sons, his joy brimming over like an overflowing cup. My feelings are confusing, oscillating between apathy and happiness. Perhaps I’m happy just for Rahul Dravid who coached the team and for such a genuine person to be happy made me smile. I have many ties to the motherland but cricket is not one of them. Treating cricketers like Demi Gods and the extreme commercialisation of the game in particular don’t sit well with me.

For me cricket is a page out of my childhood- playing it in the colony, watching it on television at home and being privy to its many debates and discussions. Cricket to me is Rahul Dravid and that life size poster of his that adorned my bedroom door. It was a simpler time before the likes of IPL cloaked it, treating players like commercial commodities. It reminds me of family togetherness, celebrations with neighbours and accidentally on purpose dropping it into conversation that “Oh Sachin Tendulkar is my neighbour only!”. And it is in these pages of my memory that I want it to dwell. Untainted and preserved to a place where I can no longer return to.

🖨️ mommy.snippets

#icct20worldcup2024 #fordravid #RahulDravid #unpopularopinion

Jul 01, 2024 12:20:34 pm

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🔅🔅 LIGHT 🔅🔅

Jun 30, 2024 9:17:59 am

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Irani Cafes

Going to college in South Bombay meant that I was lucky to have at least 3 to 5 Irani cafes within a five to ten minute walk. There were two in particular that immediately come to mind because I remember walking past them twice a day, five days a week. The road that they were situated on led to the local train station. Chaos clung onto that road like velcro. Traffic fumes, honking, roadworks, crowds of commuters thronging the footpath. A sorry excuse for a footpath existing merely to tick off the check box on the civil engineer’s to do list. In the midst of this sea of chaos both cafes stood like islands of calm, inviting tired feet and thirsty minds into their comforting ambience.

High ceilings, tiled flooring often a shade of grey,big ceiling fans and the iconic red and white gingham checked tablecloths adorning round wooden tables. The entrance invariably had a till behind which the cafe owner would sit reading the day’s newspaper alongside a napping cat or two. The till would be lined with big glass jars filled with naankathais, shrewsbury biscuits, khaari biscuit being the usual suspects apart from a variety of other biscuits and cookies.

I would love going to Bastani’s because it was at a slightly higher level than the main road. A flight of seven to eight steps led you to the cafe entrance. Sitting at a table overlooking the main road was my favourite spot – from here you could people watch or just take in the busyness that Bomaby boasts of. Brun maska pav, chai and a chicken puff would be my standard order at the cafe because it was kind to a student’s pocket plus was a very satisfying largeish snack. My visit to the cafe always entailed time for my feline friends who nobody else really paid much heed to.Petting their purring bodies would instantly fill me with a sense of calm. My most loved feline there was called Toby. Toby would always want me to give him tidbits to eat so would follow me to my table as soon as he noticed me entering the cafe, falling into that rather rare category of ‘friendly felines’.

The best thing about these cafes was that you could invariably eat something there – it didn’t matter whether you had a penny or a pound. Everyone was welcome. On my most recent visit to Bombayi I planned to once again be seduced by nostalgia’s embrace but was heartbroken to find out that Bastani’s had in fact shut shop. And so somehow this delightful cafe remains alive albeit in the memories of those who called it their safe space, sometimes even second home

mommy.snippets

#bombay #iranicafe #nostalgia #bastanicafe #bombaymerijaan

Jun 29, 2024 12:48:53 pm

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Secrets

Secrets have always unnerved me. Being secretive somehow has always had a negative connotation in my mind. It means that you’re hiding something from someone. You are always scared that you will be found out, that your secret will spill out. Why live in this constant state of fear? What compels us to keep secrets?

Is it because we are afraid of being judged? We live in a world where norms govern our behaviour. If we go against the accepted norms we are faced with two options. The first one is to go against the grain and face the inevitable reactions of society. The second one is to go against it albeit secretly.

In today’s world where social media is poking its nose in almost all areas of our lives, it is becoming harder to protect one’s privacy. Consequently, people who prefer to keep their lives private end up living almost secret lives in today’s context at least.

From a psychological point of view a secret can be explained by view of Freud’s theory of personality involving its three parts – Id, Ego and Superego. The Id is the instinctive part of your personality which demands immediate satisfaction of its needs. It is very primal and raw in nature. The superego on the other hand is the moralistic aspect of personality- it is what you should be doing. The ego is the realistic aspect of personality which tries to balance the needs of the Id and the moral code set out by the superego. Therefore secrets could be a tool used by the ego to strike a balance between the ever conflicting id and superego. So essentially trying to satisfy both the id and the superego.

I wish I had a more romantic view of secrets but I am not convinced. Would love to know what you think about secrets – please share, don’t keep it a secret 😉

mommy.snippets

Pic credit Pinterest

#secrets #notesonthego #secretlives

Jun 26, 2024 12:29:18 pm

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Bonding

My parents and I have found a different way to bond these days. I read out my work to them, ranging from a really raw first draft to the final polished piece. They are with me through the entire writing process. Mum and Dad are the first people I call when I am excited about a new idea and also the first people I call when I am faced with rejection from a publication. Dad, who is a brilliant writer himself, is my most trusted critic and I’m very lucky indeed. Giving constructive feedback is an art and he has this in abundance. On the other hand, Mum is my very own proofreader. Try getting an uncrossed ‘t’ or an undotted ‘i’ past her- I dare you.

I love reading aloud my work to them because the atmosphere it creates is just something else. The energy, the emotion and that simple act of togetherness is so precious that I cherish it every time I am reminded of its significance. Parents are our very first people, aren’t they? Oh I’m holding onto mine with an ever grateful heart!

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Pic credit Pngtree

#parents #critics #mypeople #fans #gratitude #writing #joy #support #unconditionallove

Jun 22, 2024 3:40:05 pm

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I recently attended a Writing Settings Masterclass organised by The Bombay Review

One task required us to “Describe a house”. Here’s what I wrote

I walk past house number hundred on my way to the library. It is a semi detached house on a quiet street in an otherwise busy city. A beautiful magnolia tree stands in full bloom outside the house. The small pathway leading to the front door is flanked by sturdy looking hedges, on both sides. A tennis ball and a butterfly net appear to be stuck within the green foliage of the hedges. The paint outside the house or its external facade is a chalky white , the kind of white that weathers over time especially in a place where it rains almost every other day.

The front door is painted a cheerful mustard yellow as if the people living inside the house were trying to create their own sunshine, in a place that is gravely missing the benevolence of the sun. At the doorstep, are hastily discarded Wellington boots with space rockets and dinosaurs adorning their green red surfaces. The windows have curtains, not blinds, as is the case with a more old-fashioned sensibility of interior design. As I stand there taking in these details, a shaggy brown dog bounds out of the front door.

I quickly collect my thoughts and continue on my way to the library.

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Pic credit : Lomond Paper Co.

Jun 18, 2024 11:25:07 am

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Noone gets it unless they get it. Sometimes you do far too much for those who matter to you. Because you think you matter to them equally . You continue doing things for them. Even when they don’t reciprocate. Perhaps they find you tiresome now that you invariably end up talking about PD. They say that they are busy but hey here’s the truth. You never were their priority and will never be. Slowly they begin to disappear from your life. Cancelling plans, taking ages to respond to texts and rarely initiating communication. A good excuse sometimes disguised as a platitude is always thrown your way . They never go the extra mile for you like you would for them. In psychology speak they say they are setting boundaries and you know better. So you recognise this and step back. The realisation that regret is stronger than gratitude may occur but unfortunately it will be far too late then.

Noone gets it unless they get it.

Sometimes you do far too much for those who matter to you. Because you think you matter to them equally . You continue doing things for them. Even when they don’t reciprocate. Perhaps they find you tiresome now that you invariably end up talking about PD. They say that they are busy but hey here’s the truth. You never were their priority and will never be.

Slowly they begin to disappear from your life. Cancelling plans, taking ages to respond to texts and rarely initiating communication. A good excuse sometimes disguised as a platitude is always thrown your way . They never go the extra mile for you like you would for them. In psychology speak they say they are setting boundaries and you know better. So you recognise this and step back. The realisation that regret is stronger than gratitude may occur but unfortunately it will be far too late then.

Jun 16, 2024 10:51:56 am

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Daali Varan Sheeth (Dal Rice)

Today I was in need of soul food. I felt like the exhaustion had completely taken over my body. Nothing I was doing was helping, not dance, not reading, not even a funny book. I felt like a part of me needed to heal as I sat there thinking about a lot of existential dilemmas. Then as if I were in some sort of trance, I gravitated towards the kitchen. Almost subconsciously, I reached out to a measuring cup and measured some rice into a pot. I washed the rice as is tradition and then put it on the hob for it to cook. Following which I reflexively started the preparations for making Dal. Actually let’s be specific – daali varna in Konkani or varan in Marathi.

The cooker blew three whistles indicating that the dal had cooked just right. So I proceeded to add tadka to the dal which is by far the most important step to pass the daali varan taste test. A teaspoon of oil, a tad bit of jeera or cumin powder, some hing or asafoetida and pepper powder which is added when this beautiful bubbling mixture comes to a boil.

I believe very strongly that daali varna sheeth is as comforting as a mother’s lap and makes you feel as secure as a father’s arms. The sunny golden liquid is proportionately mixed with fluffy white rice. Fingers work best to get the ingredients to mix perfectly. Trust me when I say that you don’t need much else. However, if you are feeling a bit adventurous, you could always supplement this already amazing combination with papad, salad, pickles, and/or plain yoghurt.

Now, here’s a little test for you – I have left out two key ingredients which are included as ‘add ons’ to the daali varan sheath (that’s a huge clue). And no, it is not salt! Any guesses anyone? Come on, have a go in the comments section!

©️mommy.snippets

#dalrice #varanbhat #varnasheeth #daalivarna #sograteful #soulfood

P.S. I could not find an appropriate illustration for my note so I drew something myself🤣

Updated Jun 15, 2024 9:32:39 am

Jun 15, 2024 9:31:47 am

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Number 38

We moved to this house in November 2020 when my symptoms began to really show themselves in ways that would inconvenience me. Personally for me, moving into this house brings back very difficult memories of struggle, chaos and constant change.

It was hard for me to call this my home because I associated it with such a tragic moment in my life. For a long time, I never felt any feelings of belonging to this house.. I didn’t care much about how it looked, what it said about me as houses often do. I even left the decision making related to interior decor to my husband.

Three years later, it’s a different story altogether. I feel like this house now finally belongs to me. Unknowingly, it held me when I was at my most vulnerable. It gave me physical spaces not just to strengthen my body but also comforting spaces where I could regain my mental peace. It is where my babies turned into toddlers and from toddlers to bright young boys. The earliest years of their childhood will always be associated with this house – the both of them jumping on the bed, swinging off the bannisters, building tents in the guest room and hours and hours and hours of playing in the garden.

Nowadays I’m busy adding my little touches to the various nooks and corners of our home. I feel like I am trying to make up for all the lost time. In hindsight, it’s okay because our home at that time provided me with exactly what I needed: a safe haven resounding with the laughter of my children and the irreplaceable support and love of my husband.

©️mommy.snippets

#sograteful #home #belonging

Updated Jun 13, 2024 8:03:36 am

Jun 13, 2024 8:02:21 am

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On Pappa‘s Birthday Here’s a card for you Mummy” you say sweetly, handing me a folded piece of A4 paper with what looks like a 4 year old\s version of a birthday card that you made on your own. Your big brown eyes look up at me, willing me to shower you with love and praise. “Thank you my baby” I say to you, “but it’s not my birthday is it?”. “ I know Mummy but I’m giving you the card because I like you. I don’t want you to feel bad because Pappa is getting a birthday card today.”. In that moment I am overcome with so much love but also realise that at four years of age you have so much empathy that I am beyond grateful. I hold you close and breathe in the scent of your hair that reminds me to treasure your littleness and that big heart that gives so generously. #MyBaby #MyLittlest #NotSoLittleAnymore #Empathy#Kindness #MyBoy #SoProud #SoGrateful

On Pappa‘s Birthday

Here’s a card for you Mummy” you say sweetly, handing me a folded piece of A4 paper with what looks like a 4 year old\s version of a birthday card that you made on your own. Your big brown eyes look up at me, willing me to shower you with love and praise. “Thank you my baby” I say to you, “but it’s not my birthday is it?”. “ I know Mummy but I’m giving you the card because I like you. I don’t want you to feel bad because Pappa is getting a birthday card today.”.

In that moment I am overcome with so much love but also realise that at four years of age you have so much empathy that I am beyond grateful. I hold you close and breathe in the scent of your hair that reminds me to treasure your littleness and that big heart that gives so generously.

#MyBaby #MyLittlest #NotSoLittleAnymore #Empathy#Kindness #MyBoy #SoProud #SoGrateful

Jun 11, 2024 12:22:02 pm

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Snapshot Of An Almost Seven Year Old. The month of June always reminds me of that June before you were born. The reality of becoming a mother, taking on such an important identity, becoming responsible for another human being with all my heart and soul began to really sink in during that month. The feelings of excitement, happiness and a little anxiety of course swirled deep within the pit of my stomach. Fast forward seven years and I cannot help but think that time is indeed a true magician. Today, you play a variety of sports: tennis, football, cricket, swimming and even chess. I am non-biased when I say that you are talented in all of these as evidenced by the feedback we receive from your coaches. Your love for animals and nature remains as strong as it was when you were a baby and this consistency is strangely reassuring. You are also making us proud at school. However what makes my heart soar is to see how kind and sensible you are. With each passing year I want to treasure the parts of you that time the magician is slowly making disappear. Your precious innocence, your spontaneous “I love yous’ ‘, you outgrowing my lap. Why don’t they warn you that motherhood is a constant state of confusion between wanting to hold on and the need to let go? ©️mommy.snippets #Motherhood #MotherhoodDilemma #MotherhoodParadox #Almost7 #myfirstbaby 💕

Snapshot Of An Almost Seven Year Old.

The month of June always reminds me of that June before you were born. The reality of becoming a mother, taking on such an important identity, becoming responsible for another human being with all my heart and soul began to really sink in during that month. The feelings of excitement, happiness and a little anxiety of course swirled deep within the pit of my stomach.

Fast forward seven years and I cannot help but think that time is indeed a true magician. Today, you play a variety of sports: tennis, football, cricket, swimming and even chess. I am non-biased when I say that you are talented in all of these as evidenced by the feedback we receive from your coaches. Your love for animals and nature remains as strong as it was when you were a baby and this consistency is strangely reassuring. You are also making us proud at school. However what makes my heart soar is to see how kind and sensible you are.

With each passing year I want to treasure the parts of you that time the magician is slowly making disappear. Your precious innocence, your spontaneous “I love yous’ ‘, you outgrowing my lap.

Why don’t they warn you that motherhood is a constant state of confusion between wanting to hold on and the need to let go?

©️mommy.snippets

#Motherhood #MotherhoodDilemma #MotherhoodParadox #Almost7 #myfirstbaby 💕

Jun 07, 2024 1:54:18 pm

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Reclamation I reorganise the kitchen, add my loved ones into colourful photo frames that adorn my work desk and declutter various corners of the house. I make changes to its interior decoration , do loads of laundry and even potter around in the garden. My hands! Yes! It’s like I had forgotten how doing all these tasks felt. After five years (!) and thanks to my revised treatment plan, my hands are working together, as part of the same team, at almost the same pace and this to me is a little beyond belief, it is almost magical. I believe that at a subconscious level I am trying to make up for lost time. The time that Parkinson’s stole from me – where it is still shamelessly stealing from me on bad days. I’m trying to clamour for all that lost time. To somehow make it mine now, even if it is too late. I’m scared that Mr P won’t feel as generous tomorrow and might go back to holding my hands hostage. He teaches you well you know? Sir Parkinson’s of the cruel and unpredictable nature. You learn the hard way of course but the lesson? Oh you don’t forget that! #notesonthego #yopd #parkinsonsawareness

Reclamation

I reorganise the kitchen, add my loved ones into colourful photo frames that adorn my work desk and declutter various corners of the house. I make changes to its interior decoration , do loads of laundry and even potter around in the garden.

My hands! Yes!

It’s like I had forgotten how doing all these tasks felt. After five years (!) and thanks to my revised treatment plan, my hands are working together, as part of the same team, at almost the same pace and this to me is a little beyond belief, it is almost magical.

I believe that at a subconscious level I am trying to make up for lost time. The time that Parkinson’s stole from me – where it is still shamelessly stealing from me on bad days. I’m trying to clamour for all that lost time. To somehow make it mine now, even if it is too late. I’m scared that Mr P won’t feel as generous tomorrow and might go back to holding my hands hostage.

He teaches you well you know? Sir Parkinson’s of the cruel and unpredictable nature. You learn the hard way of course but the lesson? Oh you don’t forget that!

#notesonthego #yopd #parkinsonsawareness

Jun 05, 2024 5:45:30 am

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Vroom Vroom

Motorcycles from 1907 all the way until today. The motorcycle museum houses 500 motorcycles and is a true delight for not just motorcycle enthusiasts also anyone interested in history and vintage aesthetics.

Motorcycles have been an inherent part of my childhood because my dad is a biker. At the age of 61 he scaled the highest route in India. He has always loved riding and for him the journey is always more important than the destination. That’s a life lesson that was imparted to us at a very young age.

I have fond memories of riding with my dad as a child. I would be wedged in between my mum and him and even today it is my safest place to be.

So today I really missed him and promised myself that a visit to the museum will be right up there on my priority list when he next comes over.

#notesonthego #fatheranddaughter #bikerdad

May 30, 2024 9:12:45 pm

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Treetop Adventures #notesfromnewforest I’ve always been a very active person- from hiking and swimming to scuba diving and zorbing. I never shied away from adventure. But today I find most of the adventures hard and this realisation hurts in ways that I never imagined. It hurts because I can no longer do something that I enjoyed doing. It hurts because I cannot be with my kids while they attempt these things. Why put myself in a self-defeating situation you ask . The answer is unfortunately complicated From all the things that Parkinson steals, losing these moments is the worst because these moments will never come back. Because their littleness will never return. And in their memories, mummy will always be on the periphery. Always on the sidelines. Sometimes even struggling to take a photograph. And let me tell you that the view from the periphery is not great. It is sometimes fuzzy and very often blurry. #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsuk #PDAwareness #notes #yopd

Treetop Adventures

#notesfromnewforest

I’ve always been a very active person- from hiking and swimming to scuba diving and zorbing. I never shied away from adventure. But today I find most of the adventures hard and this realisation hurts in ways that I never imagined. It hurts because I can no longer do something that I enjoyed doing. It hurts because I cannot be with my kids while they attempt these things. Why put myself in a self-defeating situation you ask . The answer is unfortunately complicated

From all the things that Parkinson steals, losing these moments is the worst because these moments will never come back. Because their littleness will never return. And in their memories, mummy will always be on the periphery. Always on the sidelines. Sometimes even struggling to take a photograph.

And let me tell you that the view from the periphery is not great. It is sometimes fuzzy and very often blurry.

#parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsuk #PDAwareness #notes #yopd

May 29, 2024 2:59:00 pm

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It Is What It Is #notesfromnewforest This isn’t a oh my life is so beautiful post. Because sometimes you need to talk about the utter monstrosity that this condition is. I realised today that walking on uneven terrain triggers my dystonia. And it was fucking frustrating (apologies for the bad language). It was frustrating to see my kids ride away from me with their Dad by their side. I also had to skip a visit to the National Park here in the afternoon because Mr P was acting like a right prick. I wish I could find a positive way to look at this but hey I am not here to sugar coat shit. Unfortunately it is what it is. #fuckyouparkinsonsdiease #fuckyouparkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #newforestnationalpark #newforest #parkinsonsawareness #dystonia #unpredictable #notesfromnewforest #movementdisorder #letsfindacure #youngonsetparkinsons #ac2fb #parkinsonslookslikeme

It Is What It Is

#notesfromnewforest

This isn’t a oh my life is so beautiful post. Because sometimes you need to talk about the utter monstrosity that this condition is. I realised today that walking on uneven terrain triggers my dystonia. And it was fucking frustrating (apologies for the bad language). It was frustrating to see my kids ride away from me with their Dad by their side. I also had to skip a visit to the National Park here in the afternoon because Mr P was acting like a right prick. I wish I could find a positive way to look at this but hey I am not here to sugar coat shit. Unfortunately it is what it is.

#fuckyouparkinsonsdiease #fuckyouparkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #newforestnationalpark #newforest #parkinsonsawareness #dystonia #unpredictable #notesfromnewforest #movementdisorder #letsfindacure #youngonsetparkinsons #ac2fb #parkinsonslookslikeme

May 28, 2024 7:18:46 pm

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Once Upon A Time

A beautiful fairyland themed garden with fairy houses, waterfalls and tiny bridges over glistening streams. All of this amidst lots of greenery and brightly coloured flowers. The drooping flowers in various hues lending an almost magical touch to the garden.

A short walking trail through the garden literally took me down memory lane from Cinderella and Rapunzel to Jack and the Beanstalk and Gingerbread Man. These stories came alive in my imagination, as if they were just waiting to be rekindled .

The walk reminded me of the fairy tales my mum would so patiently tell me every night during bedtime. Snow White’s “Mirror mirror on the wall” and that bright red apple or all the fairy guests at Sleeping Beauty’s ball and the evil witch’s sewing thimble – my mum described these so vividly that they are still rife in my memory.

“’Why do princes always rescue the princesses mummy?” I would ask my mum. I don’t quite remember her answer but I do remember her indulgent smile as I would bravely declare “I will never want a prince to rescue me as I know Papa would”.

“What did she say?” I would hear Papa ask her, his voice unable to contain the joy springing from his heart. “Oh I thought you were asleep!”Mummy would respond, causing Papa and I to end up in a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

#Fairytales #FeministAtHeart #ChildhoodMemories #Storytelling #Family #gratefulthankfulblessed

Updated May 28, 2024 9:04:25 am

May 27, 2024 6:13:04 pm

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“Mummy can you pleeeeaaase write a book for us?” Little R asked me a few months ago and so began my exciting foray into the world of writing children’s poetry! It’s been such a fun process as both my boys help me with topics and “lines” 😄 Julia Donaldson @classjuliadonaldson, Smriti Hall @smriti_halls_author smriti_halls_author have been a huge inspiration on this journey ❤️ #Children #ChildrenPoetryCommunity #ChildrenPoetry #Poems #childrenpoems #workinprogress #keepmotivating #keepgoing #newwriting #newwritingproject #watchthisspace #workinprogress

“Mummy can you pleeeeaaase write a book for us?” Little R asked me a few months ago and so began my exciting foray into the world of writing children’s poetry! It’s been such a fun process as both my boys help me with topics and “lines” 😄

Julia Donaldson
@classjuliadonaldson, Smriti Hall @smriti_halls_author smriti_halls_author have been a huge inspiration on this journey ❤️

#Children #ChildrenPoetryCommunity #ChildrenPoetry #Poems #childrenpoems #workinprogress #keepmotivating #keepgoing #newwriting #newwritingproject #watchthisspace #workinprogress

May 26, 2024 9:05:38 am

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Outgrowing Friendships

Sometimes it is hard to let go but it is important to do so. Letting go of people who once were your world, your definition of true happiness and friendship. You grew up with these friends, they were always by your side as you navigated life from the primary school gates to the often treacherous terrain of adolescence.

You then forayed into college and your academic pursuits made you choose different paths. Of course you made new friends as you settled into the big world brimming with possibilities and opportunities. Despite this everyone still made the effort to keep in touch.

Adulting inevitably approached all – jobs, spouses, kids. Trying to live your best, most comfortable life. So slowly your priorities began to change and you drifted apart. An occasional text, the rare phone call. You sometimes asked yourself whether you even knew these friends anymore. Of course you tried to keep in touch but then a realisation hit you hard – you were the only one making the effort.

You gave them the benefit of doubt. Life can get busy, it can get overwhelming. However it cannot be like that every single day. So you learn to outgrow such friendships – some friendships of your childhood that were also left behind in that beautiful world you grew up in.

#childhoodfriends #outgrow #letgo

Updated May 21, 2024 9:02:53 am

May 21, 2024 9:02:53 am

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Outgrowing Friendships

Sometimes it is hard to let go but it is important to do so. Letting go of people who once were your world, your definition of true happiness and friendship. You grew up with these friends, they were always by your side as you navigated life from the primary school gates to the often treacherous terrain of adolescence.

You then forayed into college and your academic pursuits made you choose different paths. Of course you made new friends as you settled into the big world brimming with possibilities and opportunities. Despite this everyone still made the effort to keep in touch.

Adulting inevitably approached all – jobs, spouses, kids. Trying to live your best, most comfortable life. So slowly your priorities began to change and you drifted apart. An occasional text, the rare phone call. You sometimes asked yourself whether you even knew these friends anymore. Of course you tried to keep in touch but then a realisation hit you hard – you were the only one making the effort.

You gave them the benefit of doubt. Life can get busy, it can get overwhelming. However it cannot be like that every single day. So you learn to outgrow such friendships – some friendships of your childhood that were also left behind in that beautiful world you grew up in.

#childhoodfriends #outgrow #letgo

Updated May 21, 2024 9:02:38 am

May 21, 2024 9:02:38 am

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Outgrowing Friendships

Sometimes it is hard to let go but it is important to do so. Letting go of people who once were your world, your definition of true happiness and friendship. You grew up with these friends, they were always by your side as you navigated life from the primary school gates to the often treacherous terrain of adolescence.

You then forayed into college and your academic pursuits made you choose different paths. Of course you made new friends as you settled into the big world brimming with possibilities and opportunities. Despite this everyone still made the effort to keep in touch.

Adulting inevitably approached all – jobs, spouses, kids. Trying to live your best, most comfortable life. So slowly your priorities began to change and you drifted apart. An occasional text, the rare phone call. You sometimes asked yourself whether you even knew these friends anymore. Of course you tried to keep in touch but then a realisation hit you hard – you were the only one making the effort.

You gave them the benefit of doubt. Life can get busy, it can get overwhelming. However it cannot be like that every single day. So you learn to outgrow such friendships – some friendships of your childhood that were also left behind in that beautiful world you grew up in.

#childhoodfriends #outgrow #letgo

Updated May 21, 2024 9:02:36 am

May 21, 2024 9:02:36 am

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Outgrowing Friendships

Sometimes it is hard to let go but it is important to do so. Letting go of people who once were your world, your definition of true happiness and friendship. You grew up with these friends, they were always by your side as you navigated life from the primary school gates to the often treacherous terrain of adolescence.

You then forayed into college and your academic pursuits made you choose different paths. Of course you made new friends as you settled into the big world brimming with possibilities and opportunities. Despite this everyone still made the effort to keep in touch.

Adulting inevitably approached all – jobs, spouses, kids. Trying to live your best, most comfortable life. So slowly your priorities began to change and you drifted apart. An occasional text, the rare phone call. You sometimes asked yourself whether you even knew these friends anymore. Of course you tried to keep in touch but then a realisation hit you hard – you were the only one making the effort.

You gave them the benefit of doubt. Life can get busy, it can get overwhelming. However it cannot be like that every single day. So you learn to outgrow such friendships – some friendships of your childhood that were also left behind in that beautiful world you grew up in.

#childhoodfriends #outgrow #letgo

Updated May 21, 2024 9:02:36 am

May 21, 2024 9:02:36 am

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Outgrowing Friendships Sometimes it is hard to let go but it is important to do so. Letting go of people who once were your world, your definition of true happiness and friendship. You grew up with these friends, they were always by your side as you navigated life from the primary school gates to the often treacherous terrain of adolescence. You then forayed into college and your academic pursuits made you choose different paths. Of course you made new friends as you settled into the big world brimming with possibilities and opportunities. Despite this everyone still made the effort to keep in touch. Adulting inevitably approached all – jobs, spouses, kids. Trying to live your best, most comfortable life. So slowly your priorities began to change and you drifted apart. An occasional text, the rare phone call. You sometimes asked yourself whether you even knew these friends anymore. Of course you tried to keep in touch but then a realisation hit you hard – you were the only one making the effort. You gave them the benefit of doubt. Life can get busy, it can get overwhelming. However it cannot be like that every single day. So you learn to outgrow such friendships – some friendships of your childhood that were also left behind in that beautiful world you grew up in. #childhoodfriends #outgrow #letgo

Outgrowing Friendships

Sometimes it is hard to let go but it is important to do so. Letting go of people who once were your world, your definition of true happiness and friendship. You grew up with these friends, they were always by your side as you navigated life from the primary school gates to the often treacherous terrain of adolescence.

You then forayed into college and your academic pursuits made you choose different paths. Of course you made new friends as you settled into the big world brimming with possibilities and opportunities. Despite this everyone still made the effort to keep in touch.

Adulting inevitably approached all – jobs, spouses, kids. Trying to live your best, most comfortable life. So slowly your priorities began to change and you drifted apart. An occasional text, the rare phone call. You sometimes asked yourself whether you even knew these friends anymore. Of course you tried to keep in touch but then a realisation hit you hard – you were the only one making the effort.

You gave them the benefit of doubt. Life can get busy, it can get overwhelming. However it cannot be like that every single day. So you learn to outgrow such friendships – some friendships of your childhood that were also left behind in that beautiful world you grew up in.

#childhoodfriends #outgrow #letgo

May 21, 2024 8:10:04 am

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“Cry Baby” “Stop being so touchy “”is it the time of the month “”people will say shame,shame “”you need to develop a thick skin”. Sounds familiar? So, is this something you say or something you hear? Either way I hope this helps. If the latter holds true for you, you may be a highly sensitive individual. And this world my darling won’t get you cos it’s bloody harsh. Well, most of the time. Oh except of course when your sensitivity is towards the world and conjures up all those special, lovely feelings. A highly sensitive individual is also thoughtful you see and this world is selfish like that – love it when you’re thoughtful but rude and dismissive when you dare show your sensitive side. Instead of making the effort to recognise and address the source of what is causing you pain and distress you are asked to “just get on with it” . The world doesn’t have time nor capacity to deal with difficult emotions. But here’s the thing. In this overly competitive, mostly selfish world where people are looking out only for themselves, your sensitivity is a superpower and like all superpowers it is unnerving for those who cannot comprehend it. So keep going my friend, the world needs you now, more than ever. I know talking about it is easy but then nothing worth achieving is ever easy, is it? #SensitivePerson #SensitivePersonality #HighlySensitivePerson #SensitivityIsASuperpower #TheWorldNeedsMorePeopleLikeYou #NothingWorthAchievingComesEasy #nasty #Insensitivity #BeKind #KindnessIsNotRocketScience #DoNotChange #TheWorldCanTakeAHike #selfpreservation #FindYourTribe #GetTheBlinkersOff #SensitivityPrecious #SensitivityIsAStrength. Empathy a skill. It can be learnt. Kindness is not rocket science.

“Cry Baby”

“Stop being so touchy “”is it the time of the month “”people will say shame,shame “”you need to develop a thick skin”. Sounds familiar? So, is this something you say or something you hear? Either way I hope this helps.

If the latter holds true for you, you may be a highly sensitive individual. And this world my darling won’t get you cos it’s bloody harsh. Well, most of the time. Oh except of course when your sensitivity is towards the world and conjures up all those special, lovely feelings. A highly sensitive individual is also thoughtful you see and this world is selfish like that – love it when you’re thoughtful but rude and dismissive when you dare show your sensitive side.

Instead of making the effort to recognise and address the source of what is causing you pain and distress you are asked to “just get on with it” . The world doesn’t have time nor capacity to deal with difficult emotions.

But here’s the thing. In this overly competitive, mostly selfish world where people are looking out only for themselves, your sensitivity is a superpower and like all superpowers it is unnerving for those who cannot comprehend it. So keep going my friend, the world needs you now, more than ever. I know talking about it is easy but then nothing worth achieving is ever easy, is it?

#SensitivePerson #SensitivePersonality #HighlySensitivePerson #SensitivityIsASuperpower #TheWorldNeedsMorePeopleLikeYou #NothingWorthAchievingComesEasy #nasty #Insensitivity #BeKind #KindnessIsNotRocketScience #DoNotChange #TheWorldCanTakeAHike #selfpreservation #FindYourTribe #GetTheBlinkersOff #SensitivityPrecious #SensitivityIsAStrength.

Empathy a skill. It can be learnt. Kindness is not rocket science.

May 20, 2024 8:55:09 am

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Scrabble All four of us (grown ups and littles) played Scrabble together for the very first time , about two weeks ago. This boardgame of my childhood that I have so many lovely memories of – the bonding, the arguing, the laughter, the competition! And here I was playing the same game with my own children. History has an uncanny way of reappearing in different disguises doesn’t it? And it was against this background that we were encouraged to think, to work with what we had, to optimise our scores by strategically forming words, to think creatively and so much more. The seven letters that you had chosen with your eyes tightly shut were critical of course. Oh what if you ended up with Her Majesty the formidable “Q” of 10 points without her reliable escort, “U” of 1 point. Or what if you had the ‘misfortune’ of ending up with the intimidating “X” of 8 and “Z” of 10 points. As I was teaching my kids the rules of the game, us grown ups couldn’t help but share our memories playing this with our parents. At the time, we didn’t have I-pads and other screens except for the prized television in the living room. So we ended up playing a lot of board games. We thought we were only having fun but oh boy were we learning?!! Not just the game itself but also stuff that is so important in life like waiting for your turn, making the best of what hand life has dealt you with, learning to lose sportingly, playing together as a team and most importantly the significance of spending quality time with those that truly matter. “Mummy!! It’s your turn” I suddenly hear my son call out to me. “Oh yes, I know” I say softly and with a look of pure excitement proceed to use all the seven letters on my little stand to make the word T O G E T H E R on the board – a winner of a word in every way don’t you think? #scrabble #childhoodmemories #historyrepeatingitself #favourite #boardgames #together #qualitytime

Scrabble

All four of us (grown ups and littles) played Scrabble together for the very first time , about two weeks ago. This boardgame of my childhood that I have so many lovely memories of – the bonding, the arguing, the laughter, the competition! And here I was playing the same game with my own children. History has an uncanny way of reappearing in different disguises doesn’t it?

And it was against this background that we were encouraged to think, to work with what we had, to optimise our scores by strategically forming words, to think creatively and so much more. The seven letters that you had chosen with your eyes tightly shut were critical of course. Oh what if you ended up with Her Majesty the formidable “Q” of 10 points without her reliable escort, “U” of 1 point. Or what if you had the ‘misfortune’ of ending up with the intimidating “X” of 8 and “Z” of 10 points.

As I was teaching my kids the rules of the game, us grown ups couldn’t help but share our memories playing this with our parents. At the time, we didn’t have I-pads and other screens except for the prized television in the living room. So we ended up playing a lot of board games.

We thought we were only having fun but oh boy were we learning?!! Not just the game itself but also stuff that is so important in life like waiting for your turn, making the best of what hand life has dealt you with, learning to lose sportingly, playing together as a team and most importantly the significance of spending quality time with those that truly matter.

“Mummy!! It’s your turn” I suddenly hear my son call out to me. “Oh yes, I know” I say softly and with a look of pure excitement proceed to use all the seven letters on my little stand to make the word T O G E T H E R on the board – a winner of a word in every way don’t you think?

#scrabble #childhoodmemories #historyrepeatingitself #favourite #boardgames #together #qualitytime

May 16, 2024 6:14:51 pm

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I know you don’t like to talk about it. I know it’s hard to accept it. I know you don’t know what to say or how to say it. All of this is ok. But here’s whats not ok. It’s like you have blinkers on, some might call it tunnel vision or your defence mechanism to cope with reality which in fact is my reality. So we pretend that all is well, that by not addressing the elephant in the room we pretend to not see it. In fact you try so hard that its cringeworthy to see you trying to shove this big beast under the carpet. You tell me to keep doing what I used to do without acknowledging the limitations that my body is faced with every day of my life. “Get well soon” you tell me without even understanding that I can never really “get well”- I’m not sure what part of degenerative and incurable is unclear. Despite all the blatant invalidation, I give you grace. I give you grace because I understand it is difficult for you to let go of perfection. Whenever I try to talk to you about it, you refuse to acknowledge what I’m saying by blatantly ignoring me or hurriedly changing the topic. Maybe it is not my place to tell you what you should be doing but it is certainly my place to tell you about how you make me feel. You make me feel as if I am a liability, a probable curse. You make me feel guilty for certain things that I struggle to do by asking very pointed, insensitive questions. So here is what I want to say to you. I am not here to be agreeable or nice. I am well beyond that phase. My aim is to normalise talking about this “elephant in the room”. I will be delighted if you would like to make the effort otherwise you know where the door is. #parkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsawarenessmonth #pdawareness #yopd #youngonsetparkinsons #parkinsonslookslikeme #ac2fb #movementdisorder #dopamine #dopaminedeprivation #chronicillness #yopdwarrior #degenerativedisorder #neurologicalctondition #incurablecondition

I know you don’t like to talk about it. I know it’s hard to accept it. I know you don’t know what to say or how to say it. All of this is ok. But here’s whats not ok. It’s like you have blinkers on, some might call it tunnel vision or your defence mechanism to cope with reality which in fact is my reality. So we pretend that all is well, that by not addressing the elephant in the room we pretend to not see it. In fact you try so hard that its cringeworthy to see you trying to shove this big beast under the carpet. You tell me to keep doing what I used to do without acknowledging the limitations that my body is faced with every day of my life. “Get well soon” you tell me without even understanding that I can never really “get well”- I’m not sure what part of degenerative and incurable is unclear.

Despite all the blatant invalidation, I give you grace. I give you grace because I understand it is difficult for you to let go of perfection. Whenever I try to talk to you about it, you refuse to acknowledge what I’m saying by blatantly ignoring me or hurriedly changing the topic. Maybe it is not my place to tell you what you should be doing but it is certainly my place to tell you about how you make me feel. You make me feel as if I am a liability, a probable curse. You make me feel guilty for certain things that I struggle to do by asking very pointed, insensitive questions.

So here is what I want to say to you. I am not here to be agreeable or nice. I am well beyond that phase. My aim is to normalise talking about this “elephant in the room”. I will be delighted if you would like to make the effort otherwise you know where the door is.

#parkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsawarenessmonth #pdawareness #yopd #youngonsetparkinsons #parkinsonslookslikeme #ac2fb #movementdisorder #dopamine #dopaminedeprivation #chronicillness #yopdwarrior #degenerativedisorder #neurologicalctondition #incurablecondition

May 10, 2024 3:11:36 pm

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My Words It’s springtime for my words to bloom These words that were hibernating Refusing to move Lying in wait passively Avoiding winter’s frosty gaze My words now dance joyously Springtime has truly arrived They tease me with their playfulness Mimicking spring’s cheerful ways So I do as they ask I write them down They flow slowly at first Then they gush Oh springtime you beauty See what you’ve done? My words, oh my words They are finally here!! Thank you @writefluence for the prompt “it’s spring time for my words to bloom” #Poetry #Words #Springtime #BloomingWords#Bloom #Spring #WritingPoetry#WomanPoet #FemalePoet #Poem #PoemOfTheDay #InstagramPoems #KeepWriting #KeepGrowing #Going

My Words

It’s springtime for my words to bloom
These words that were hibernating
Refusing to move
Lying in wait passively
Avoiding winter’s frosty gaze

My words now dance joyously
Springtime has truly arrived
They tease me with their playfulness
Mimicking spring’s cheerful ways

So I do as they ask
I write them down
They flow slowly at first
Then they gush

Oh springtime you beauty
See what you’ve done?
My words, oh my words
They are finally here!!

Thank you @writefluence for the prompt “it’s spring time for my words to bloom”

#Poetry #Words #Springtime #BloomingWords#Bloom #Spring #WritingPoetry#WomanPoet #FemalePoet #Poem #PoemOfTheDay #InstagramPoems #KeepWriting #KeepGrowing #Going

May 09, 2024 7:23:47 am

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Lemon Cheesecake I met an old friend, S, last afternoon after almost a year. Our families gelled well so we could carve ourselves a precious sliver of time to catch up on what seemed like a gazillion things. From laughing about college days to inanities surrounding Dettol soap, our conversation just flowed and flowed. My mind however was constantly being distracted by the lemon cheesecake that S had so lovingly prepared. I remember eating it at her home , an old Parsi mansion in Bombay’s Peddar Road. She would also spoil us with her generous creations when in college. Lemon, Vanilla, Chocolate…each flavour so distinct, never failing to tantalise my tastebuds. I could no longer wait to eat the cheesecake so I eagerly peeled off the foil and a pale yellow cheesecake neatly garnished with lemon zest peeked out at me. I was far too excited to wait for everyone else to begin eating and took a spoonful of cheesecake into my mouth. The texture, the flavours, that right mix of sweetness and tartness hit the spot almost immediately. It was as if I had teleported to her home in Bombay and I could almost hear her Mum saying “Take more dikri, take some more na”. Oh food and friendship have a special connection, don’t they? ©️mommy.snippets #food #friendship #cheesecake #lemon #lemoncheesecake #grateful #lemoncheesecake

Lemon Cheesecake

I met an old friend, S, last afternoon after almost a year. Our families gelled well so we could carve ourselves a precious sliver of time to catch up on what seemed like a gazillion things. From laughing about college days to inanities surrounding Dettol soap, our conversation just flowed and flowed.

My mind however was constantly being distracted by the lemon cheesecake that S had so lovingly prepared. I remember eating it at her home , an old Parsi mansion in Bombay’s Peddar Road. She would also spoil us with her generous creations when in college. Lemon, Vanilla, Chocolate…each flavour so distinct, never failing to tantalise my tastebuds.

I could no longer wait to eat the cheesecake so I eagerly peeled off the foil and a pale yellow cheesecake neatly garnished with lemon zest peeked out at me. I was far too excited to wait for everyone else to begin eating and took a spoonful of cheesecake into my mouth. The texture, the flavours, that right mix of sweetness and tartness hit the spot almost immediately. It was as if I had teleported to her home in Bombay and I could almost hear her Mum saying “Take more dikri, take some more na”.

Oh food and friendship have a special connection, don’t they?

©️mommy.snippets

#food #friendship #cheesecake #lemon #lemoncheesecake #grateful #lemoncheesecake

May 05, 2024 5:17:38 pm

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A true sense of belonging becomes more elusive over time. In my adopted land, I come across as too foreign in the way I speak, in the way I dress, in the way I cook. More often than not I am asked to repeat myself, so I soften my tone, enunciate my vowels and mollify my consonants. I am trying to blend in you see, much like how I am learning to blend in your silent letters in your posh sounding words – trying hard but not always successful at becoming camouflaged.

You look at my name with furrowed eyebrows, almost scared to pronounce it. So you call me by my initials, always playing it safe. I wish I could tell you the meaning of my name, its significance, why my mother chose to name me not M or A or T but a beautiful name with a melodious tune as its syllables unite upon your tongue.

And then one day with that semi anglicised name, I return home or is it home really? Now to my people I sound different, I look different. It is as if the foreign waters have entirely swept me away from home shores. Sometimes I am ridiculed for being too foreign and at other times I am ridden with guilt for the choices I’ve made, for prioritising a future in a land that’s far away.

So, I’m in a constant state of in betweenness . These spaces cannot really be defined because they hold so much that is left unsaid. Instead they cradle gingerly only what is felt. And that somehow brings me back to my eternally unanswered question “what in fact is home?”

#home #tooforeign #foreign #belonging #inbetween #notesonthego

©️mommy.snippets

Updated May 03, 2024 5:54:23 am

May 03, 2024 5:54:23 am

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A true sense of belonging becomes more elusive over time. In my adopted land, I come across as too foreign in the way I speak, in the way I dress, in the way I cook. More often than not I am asked to repeat myself, so I soften my tone, enunciate my vowels and mollify my consonants. I am trying to blend in you see, much like how I am learning to blend in your silent letters in your posh sounding words – trying hard but not always successful at becoming camouflaged.

You look at my name with furrowed eyebrows, almost scared to pronounce it. So you call me by my initials, always playing it safe. I wish I could tell you the meaning of my name, its significance, why my mother chose to name me not M or A or T but a beautiful name with a melodious tune as its syllables unite upon your tongue.

And then one day with that semi anglicised name, I return home or is it home really? Now to my people I sound different, I look different. It is as if the foreign waters have entirely swept me away from home shores. Sometimes I am ridiculed for being too foreign and at other times I am ridden with guilt for the choices I’ve made, for prioritising a future in a land that’s far away.

So, I’m in a constant state of in betweenness . These spaces cannot really be defined because they hold so much that is left unsaid. Instead they cradle gingerly only what is felt. And that somehow brings me back to my eternally unanswered question “what in fact is home?”

#home #tooforeign #foreign #belonging #inbetween #notesonthego

©️mommy.snippets

Updated May 03, 2024 5:54:09 am

May 03, 2024 5:54:09 am

Notes On The Go shared a link.

https://fb.com/messenger_doc/

A true sense of belonging becomes more elusive over time. In my adopted land, I come across as too foreign in the way I speak, in the way I dress, in the way I cook. More often than not I am asked to repeat myself, so I soften my tone, enunciate my vowels and mollify my consonants. I am trying to blend in you see, much like how I am learning to blend in your silent letters in your posh sounding words – trying hard but not always successful at becoming camouflaged.

You look at my name with furrowed eyebrows, almost scared to pronounce it. So you call me by my initials, always playing it safe. I wish I could tell you the meaning of my name, its significance, why my mother chose to name me not M or A or T but a beautiful name with a melodious tune as its syllables unite upon your tongue.

And then one day with that semi anglicised name, I return home or is it home really? Now to my people I sound different, I look different. It is as if the foreign waters have entirely swept me away from home shores. Sometimes I am ridiculed for being too foreign and at other times I am ridden with guilt for the choices I’ve made, for prioritising a future in a land that’s far away.

So, I’m in a constant state of in betweenness . These spaces cannot really be defined because they hold so much that is left unsaid. Instead they cradle gingerly only what is felt. And that somehow brings me back to my eternally unanswered question “what in fact is home?”

#home #tooforeign #foreign #belonging #inbetween #notesonthego

©️mommy.snippets

Updated May 03, 2024 5:54:08 am

May 03, 2024 5:54:08 am

Notes On The Go shared a link.

https://fb.com/messenger_doc/

A true sense of belonging becomes more elusive over time. In my adopted land, I come across as too foreign in the way I speak, in the way I dress, in the way I cook. More often than not I am asked to repeat myself, so I soften my tone, enunciate my vowels and mollify my consonants. I am trying to blend in you see, much like how I am learning to blend in your silent letters in your posh sounding words – trying hard but not always successful at becoming camouflaged.

You look at my name with furrowed eyebrows, almost scared to pronounce it. So you call me by my initials, always playing it safe. I wish I could tell you the meaning of my name, its significance, why my mother chose to name me not M or A or T but a beautiful name with a melodious tune as its syllables unite upon your tongue.

And then one day with that semi anglicised name, I return home or is it home really? Now to my people I sound different, I look different. It is as if the foreign waters have entirely swept me away from home shores. Sometimes I am ridiculed for being too foreign and at other times I am ridden with guilt for the choices I’ve made, for prioritising a future in a land that’s far away.

So, I’m in a constant state of in betweenness . These spaces cannot really be defined because they hold so much that is left unsaid. Instead they cradle gingerly only what is felt. And that somehow brings me back to my eternally unanswered question “what in fact is home?”

#home #tooforeign #foreign #belonging #inbetween #notesonthego

©️mommy.snippets

Updated May 03, 2024 5:54:07 am

May 03, 2024 5:54:07 am

Notes On The Go shared a link.

https://fb.com/messenger_doc/

A true sense of belonging becomes more elusive over time. In my adopted land, I come across as too foreign in the way I speak, in the way I dress, in the way I cook. More often than not I am asked to repeat myself, so I soften my tone, enunciate my vowels and mollify my consonants. I am trying to blend in you see, much like how I am learning to blend in your silent letters in your posh sounding words – trying hard but not always successful at becoming camouflaged.

You look at my name with furrowed eyebrows, almost scared to pronounce it. So you call me by my initials, always playing it safe. I wish I could tell you the meaning of my name, its significance, why my mother chose to name me not M or A or T but a beautiful name with a melodious tune as its syllables unite upon your tongue.

And then one day with that semi anglicised name, I return home or is it home really? Now to my people I sound different, I look different. It is as if the foreign waters have entirely swept me away from home shores. Sometimes I am ridiculed for being too foreign and at other times I am ridden with guilt for the choices I’ve made, for prioritising a future in a land that’s far away.

So, I’m in a constant state of in betweenness . These spaces cannot really be defined because they hold so much that is left unsaid. Instead they cradle gingerly only what is felt. And that somehow brings me back to my eternally unanswered question “what in fact is home?”

#home #tooforeign #foreign #belonging #inbetween #notesonthego

©️mommy.snippets

Updated May 03, 2024 5:54:06 am

May 03, 2024 5:54:06 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

Mobile uploads

A true sense of belonging becomes more elusive over time. In my adopted land, I come across as too foreign in the way I speak, in the way I dress, in the way I cook. More often than not I am asked to repeat myself, so I soften my tone, enunciate my vowels and mollify my consonants. I am trying to blend in you see, much like how I am learning to blend in your silent letters in your posh sounding words – trying hard but not always successful at becoming camouflaged. You look at my name with furrowed eyebrows, almost scared to pronounce it. So you call me by my initials, always playing it safe. I wish I could tell you the meaning of my name, its significance, why my mother chose to name me not M or A or T but a beautiful name with a melodious tune as its syllables unite upon your tongue. And then one day with that semi anglicised name, I return home or is it home really? Now to my people I sound different, I look different. It is as if the foreign waters have entirely swept me away from home shores. Sometimes I am ridiculed for being too foreign and at other times I am ridden with guilt for the choices I’ve made, for prioritising a future in a land that’s far away. So, I’m in a constant state of in betweenness . These spaces cannot really be defined because they hold so much that is left unsaid. Instead they cradle gingerly only what is felt. And that somehow brings me back to my eternally unanswered question “what in fact is home?” #home #tooforeign #foreign #belonging #inbetween #notesonthego ©️mommy.snippets

A true sense of belonging becomes more elusive over time. In my adopted land, I come across as too foreign in the way I speak, in the way I dress, in the way I cook. More often than not I am asked to repeat myself, so I soften my tone, enunciate my vowels and mollify my consonants. I am trying to blend in you see, much like how I am learning to blend in your silent letters in your posh sounding words – trying hard but not always successful at becoming camouflaged.

You look at my name with furrowed eyebrows, almost scared to pronounce it. So you call me by my initials, always playing it safe. I wish I could tell you the meaning of my name, its significance, why my mother chose to name me not M or A or T but a beautiful name with a melodious tune as its syllables unite upon your tongue.

And then one day with that semi anglicised name, I return home or is it home really? Now to my people I sound different, I look different. It is as if the foreign waters have entirely swept me away from home shores. Sometimes I am ridiculed for being too foreign and at other times I am ridden with guilt for the choices I’ve made, for prioritising a future in a land that’s far away.

So, I’m in a constant state of in betweenness . These spaces cannot really be defined because they hold so much that is left unsaid. Instead they cradle gingerly only what is felt. And that somehow brings me back to my eternally unanswered question “what in fact is home?”

#home #tooforeign #foreign #belonging #inbetween #notesonthego

©️mommy.snippets

May 02, 2024 6:43:16 pm

Notes On The Go shared a link.

https://fb.com/messenger_doc/

Wrote a piece of micro fiction recently on the theme ‘Complicated’. It wasn’t selected for publication but here it is ❤️

Some Battles

Some nights I can’t wait for dawn to arrive, for daybreak to knock upon the dregs of the dark night that’s settled upon my being. My soul feels heavy with what I cannot grasp , however far I strech my arms. I sometimes wonder why our paths crossed, why I feel so close to you, how you know my deepest desires, where this journey will take us.

I then think of your affection for me that I will never see in your eyes, the oneness that I will never experience, of this time that one day will perhaps become a story, a memory to be treasured. I want you to be with me during these long and dark nights where I struggle to even spot the moon. But then I console myself because darling some battles we must fight alone and this battle is solely mine.

#microfiction #complicated #darknights #lovemicrofictions #lovestory #minilovestory #loveyourself #battles #fight #fightingalone #writersofinstagram #femalewriters

Thank you nina_davide for the picture – it reflects a day of self care , despite dark, complicated nights ❤️

Updated Apr 29, 2024 9:19:44 am

Apr 29, 2024 9:19:44 am

Notes On The Go shared a link.

https://fb.com/messenger_doc/

Wrote a piece of micro fiction recently on the theme ‘Complicated’. It wasn’t selected for publication but here it is ❤️

Some Battles

Some nights I can’t wait for dawn to arrive, for daybreak to knock upon the dregs of the dark night that’s settled upon my being. My soul feels heavy with what I cannot grasp , however far I strech my arms. I sometimes wonder why our paths crossed, why I feel so close to you, how you know my deepest desires, where this journey will take us.

I then think of your affection for me that I will never see in your eyes, the oneness that I will never experience, of this time that one day will perhaps become a story, a memory to be treasured. I want you to be with me during these long and dark nights where I struggle to even spot the moon. But then I console myself because darling some battles we must fight alone and this battle is solely mine.

#microfiction #complicated #darknights #lovemicrofictions #lovestory #minilovestory #loveyourself #battles #fight #fightingalone #writersofinstagram #femalewriters

Thank you nina_davide for the picture – it reflects a day of self care , despite dark, complicated nights ❤️

Updated Apr 29, 2024 9:19:41 am

Apr 29, 2024 9:19:41 am

Notes On The Go shared a link.

https://fb.com/messenger_doc/

Wrote a piece of micro fiction recently on the theme ‘Complicated’. It wasn’t selected for publication but here it is ❤️

Some Battles

Some nights I can’t wait for dawn to arrive, for daybreak to knock upon the dregs of the dark night that’s settled upon my being. My soul feels heavy with what I cannot grasp , however far I strech my arms. I sometimes wonder why our paths crossed, why I feel so close to you, how you know my deepest desires, where this journey will take us.

I then think of your affection for me that I will never see in your eyes, the oneness that I will never experience, of this time that one day will perhaps become a story, a memory to be treasured. I want you to be with me during these long and dark nights where I struggle to even spot the moon. But then I console myself because darling some battles we must fight alone and this battle is solely mine.

#microfiction #complicated #darknights #lovemicrofictions #lovestory #minilovestory #loveyourself #battles #fight #fightingalone #writersofinstagram #femalewriters

Thank you nina_davide for the picture – it reflects a day of self care , despite dark, complicated nights ❤️

Updated Apr 29, 2024 9:16:22 am

Apr 29, 2024 9:16:22 am

Notes On The Go shared a link.

https://fb.com/messenger_doc/

Wrote a piece of micro fiction recently on the theme ‘Complicated’. It wasn’t selected for publication but here it is ❤️

Some Battles

Some nights I can’t wait for dawn to arrive, for daybreak to knock upon the dregs of the dark night that’s settled upon my being. My soul feels heavy with what I cannot grasp , however far I strech my arms. I sometimes wonder why our paths crossed, why I feel so close to you, how you know my deepest desires, where this journey will take us.

I then think of your affection for me that I will never see in your eyes, the oneness that I will never experience, of this time that one day will perhaps become a story, a memory to be treasured. I want you to be with me during these long and dark nights where I struggle to even spot the moon. But then I console myself because darling some battles we must fight alone and this battle is solely mine.

#microfiction #complicated #darknights #lovemicrofictions #lovestory #minilovestory #loveyourself #battles #fight #fightingalone #writersofinstagram #femalewriters

Thank you nina_davide for the picture – it reflects a day of self care , despite dark, complicated nights ❤️

Updated Apr 29, 2024 9:15:37 am

Apr 29, 2024 9:15:37 am

Notes On The Go shared a link.

https://fb.com/messenger_doc/

Wrote a piece of micro fiction recently on the theme ‘Complicated’. It wasn’t selected for publication but here it is ❤️

Some Battles

Some nights I can’t wait for dawn to arrive, for daybreak to knock upon the dregs of the dark night that’s settled upon my being. My soul feels heavy with what I cannot grasp , however far I strech my arms. I sometimes wonder why our paths crossed, why I feel so close to you, how you know my deepest desires, where this journey will take us.

I then think of your affection for me that I will never see in your eyes, the oneness that I will never experience, of this time that one day will perhaps become a story, a memory to be treasured. I want you to be with me during these long and dark nights where I struggle to even spot the moon. But then I console myself because darling some battles we must fight alone and this battle is solely mine.

#microfiction #complicated #darknights #lovemicrofictions #lovestory #minilovestory #loveyourself #battles #fight #fightingalone #writersofinstagram #femalewriters

Thank you nina_davide for the picture – it reflects a day of self care , despite dark, complicated nights ❤️

Updated Apr 29, 2024 9:15:34 am

Apr 29, 2024 9:15:34 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

Mobile uploads

Wrote a piece of micro fiction recently on the theme ‘Complicated’. It wasn’t selected for publication but here it is ❤️ Some Battles Some nights I can’t wait for dawn to arrive, for daybreak to knock upon the dregs of the dark night that’s settled upon my being. My soul feels heavy with what I cannot grasp , however far I strech my arms. I sometimes wonder why our paths crossed, why I feel so close to you, how you know my deepest desires, where this journey will take us. I then think of your affection for me that I will never see in your eyes, the oneness that I will never experience, of this time that one day will perhaps become a story, a memory to be treasured. I want you to be with me during these long and dark nights where I struggle to even spot the moon. But then I console myself because darling some battles we must fight alone and this battle is solely mine. #microfiction #complicated #darknights #lovemicrofictions #lovestory #minilovestory #loveyourself #battles #fight #fightingalone #writersofinstagram #femalewriters Thank you nina_davide for the picture – it reflects a day of self care , despite dark, complicated nights ❤️

Wrote a piece of micro fiction recently on the theme ‘Complicated’. It wasn’t selected for publication but here it is ❤️

Some Battles

Some nights I can’t wait for dawn to arrive, for daybreak to knock upon the dregs of the dark night that’s settled upon my being. My soul feels heavy with what I cannot grasp , however far I strech my arms. I sometimes wonder why our paths crossed, why I feel so close to you, how you know my deepest desires, where this journey will take us.

I then think of your affection for me that I will never see in your eyes, the oneness that I will never experience, of this time that one day will perhaps become a story, a memory to be treasured. I want you to be with me during these long and dark nights where I struggle to even spot the moon. But then I console myself because darling some battles we must fight alone and this battle is solely mine.

#microfiction #complicated #darknights #lovemicrofictions #lovestory #minilovestory #loveyourself #battles #fight #fightingalone #writersofinstagram #femalewriters

Thank you nina_davide for the picture – it reflects a day of self care , despite dark, complicated nights ❤️

Apr 29, 2024 9:14:29 am

Notes On The Go shared a Page.

Notes On The Gofacebook.com

Show Up!

When you care, you find a way. You show up for the people who matter. Unless of course you can’t and you have already made this known. Be it their best days or worst days, you show up. Being absent is easy. Making excuses is even easier. But here’s the thing. Not showing up is also a message, a strong one at that.

So when you say you will show up but don’t and what’s worse , you just disappear into thin air, it is a roaring cue. A cue that provides immense perspective on relationships and their significance. You know who matters but more importantly you find out whom you matter to. And this bit of learning my dears, is precious. So bloody precious!!

Treasure it.

©️mommy.snippets

#showup #parkinsonsawareness #yopd #whoreallycares

Updated Apr 29, 2024 12:46:43 pm

Apr 28, 2024 9:21:16 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

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Connection Lost? So many times you give grace, say it’s ok, life gets in the way and all that. You don’t hold it against them when they don’t respond to texts, don’t call or even return calls. You ask yourself if you’re asking for too much. You tell yourself to have patience, to be kind. But here’s the thing. You know how much you do, how much you care. Is apathy disguised as busyness? You wonder why they can’t make the time. In a world that is desperately in need of meaningful connections, you fear that human interaction will soon be limited to likes and reactions. And that is why it hurts. Because the imbalance is glaringly apparent and there’s only so much weight that you can carry. #Connection #apathy #busyness #howmuchistoomuch ©️mommy.snippets

Connection Lost?

So many times you give grace, say it’s ok, life gets in the way and all that. You don’t hold it against them when they don’t respond to texts, don’t call or even return calls. You ask yourself if you’re asking for too much. You tell yourself to have patience, to be kind.

But here’s the thing. You know how much you do, how much you care. Is apathy disguised as busyness? You wonder why they can’t make the time. In a world that is desperately in need of meaningful connections, you fear that human interaction will soon be limited to likes and reactions.

And that is why it hurts. Because the imbalance is glaringly apparent and there’s only so much weight that you can carry.

#Connection #apathy #busyness #howmuchistoomuch

©️mommy.snippets

Apr 25, 2024 2:44:31 am

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

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One Morning With Mum I wake up in the morning to the sound of my mum pottering around in the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee and the sizzle of crisp dosas flood my senses. My body is stiff yet it moves quickly, taking me by complete surprise. I can hear mum humming along to her favourite song as she busies herself with preparing to feed the household, which at present is still deep in slumber. I gingerly go downstairs, careful not to wake the rest. I am welcomed by mum’s ever beautiful smile. “Sit, sit, let me make you some coffee” she says affectionately. I take a seat by the dining table and observe her efficiently moving from one task to another whilst also making coffee. All those dreaded chores seem to disappear at her behest. She brings two steaming mugs of coffee and sits across from me. “You need to eat well beta” she fusses over me as I nod in response. We then talk about random things like what to make for lunch to the importance of vitamin d and having a positive mindset. We then enter into a companionable silence, the only sounds we can hear are the birds chirping and the soft drone of the dishwasher. And it is here that I am overcome with so much gratitude for mum, this time that we have together and this moment that will soon become a precious memory. ©️mommy.snippets #motheranddaughter #preciousmoments #notesonthego

One Morning With Mum

I wake up in the morning to the sound of my mum pottering around in the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee and the sizzle of crisp dosas flood my senses. My body is stiff yet it moves quickly, taking me by complete surprise. I can hear mum humming along to her favourite song as she busies herself with preparing to feed the household, which at present is still deep in slumber. I gingerly go downstairs, careful not to wake the rest. I am welcomed by mum’s ever beautiful smile. “Sit, sit, let me make you some coffee” she says affectionately. I take a seat by the dining table and observe her efficiently moving from one task to another whilst also making coffee. All those dreaded chores seem to disappear at her behest.

She brings two steaming mugs of coffee and sits across from me. “You need to eat well beta” she fusses over me as I nod in response. We then talk about random things like what to make for lunch to the importance of vitamin d and having a positive mindset. We then enter into a companionable silence, the only sounds we can hear are the birds chirping and the soft drone of the dishwasher. And it is here that I am overcome with so much gratitude for mum, this time that we have together and this moment that will soon become a precious memory.

©️mommy.snippets

#motheranddaughter #preciousmoments #notesonthego

Apr 17, 2024 4:54:56 pm

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June 2010 – 25 year old me, walking to Piccadilly Circus station after work one evening, looking up at the iconic billboard, mesmerised by the lights and sounds. April 2024 – 39 year old me, now a writer and advocate for PD, on that very billboard. #keepgoing #picadillycircus #billboard #ParkinsonsAwareness #yopd Thank you @[100064583148292:2048:Parkinson’s UK] 💙

June 2010 – 25 year old me, walking to Piccadilly Circus station after work one evening, looking up at the iconic billboard, mesmerised by the lights and sounds.

April 2024 – 39 year old me, now a writer and advocate for PD, on that very billboard.

#keepgoing #picadillycircus #billboard #ParkinsonsAwareness #yopd

Thank you Parkinson’s UK 💙

Apr 13, 2024 11:54:30 am

Notes On The Go shared a link.

https://fb.com/messenger_doc/

April is #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth

Ever wondered what the diary of someone with YOPD looks like?

Here’s entry 1

Dear Diary

Sometimes I feel like I have been relegated to the sidelines, watching you all play the game, a game that I am well trained in but the team doesn’t have confidence in me anymore. Before PD took over my being, I was co captain, it was my game too, I owned it in equal measure. Today, I feel alienated, ignored, and neglected. Almost like I am a liability. One for whom plans need to be changed, compromises need to be made. Including me in normal everyday activities, a sore inconvenience. You are all polite and kind but I can see your patience slowly wearing off. It is not your fault, of course not. It is the nature of the disease.

This made me realise that PD robs you of many things and these slowly begin to emerge as the disease progresses. These are sometimes visible but are largely invisible. The unpredictability of this condition is the hardest to deal with. Just when you think that you are beating the beast, it throws you another curveball in the form of a new or worsened symptom.

I would like to quote Maya Angelou here who said “Fear and hope cannot exist in the same place. Invite one to stay”. Living with PD, I choose to disagree with this proclamation. Fear and hope must exist in the same space because fear precedes hope. You have to fear something before hoping that it will get better or disappear. Fear and hope are not mutually exclusive, they can never be.

Updated Apr 06, 2024 8:40:09 pm

Apr 06, 2024 8:40:09 pm

Notes On The Go shared a link.

https://fb.com/messenger_doc/

April is #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth

Ever wondered what the diary of someone with YOPD looks like?

Here’s entry 1

Dear Diary

Sometimes I feel like I have been relegated to the sidelines, watching you all play the game, a game that I am well trained in but the team doesn’t have confidence in me anymore. Before PD took over my being, I was co captain, it was my game too, I owned it in equal measure. Today, I feel alienated, ignored, and neglected. Almost like I am a liability. One for whom plans need to be changed, compromises need to be made. Including me in normal everyday activities, a sore inconvenience. You are all polite and kind but I can see your patience slowly wearing off. It is not your fault, of course not. It is the nature of the disease.

This made me realise that PD robs you of many things and these slowly begin to emerge as the disease progresses. These are sometimes visible but are largely invisible. The unpredictability of this condition is the hardest to deal with. Just when you think that you are beating the beast, it throws you another curveball in the form of a new or worsened symptom.

I would like to quote Maya Angelou here who said “Fear and hope cannot exist in the same place. Invite one to stay”. Living with PD, I choose to disagree with this proclamation. Fear and hope must exist in the same space because fear precedes hope. You have to fear something before hoping that it will get better or disappear. Fear and hope are not mutually exclusive, they can never be.

Updated Apr 06, 2024 8:40:07 pm

Apr 06, 2024 8:40:07 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

Mobile uploads

April is #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth Ever wondered what the diary of someone with YOPD looks like? Here’s entry 1 Dear Diary Sometimes I feel like I have been relegated to the sidelines, watching you all play the game, a game that I am well trained in but the team doesn’t have confidence in me anymore. Before PD took over my being, I was co captain, it was my game too, I owned it in equal measure. Today, I feel alienated, ignored. Almost like I am a liability. One for whom plans need to be changed, compromises need to be made. Including me in normal everyday activities, a sore inconvenience. You are all polite and kind but I can see your patience slowly wearing off. It is not your fault, of course not. It is the nature of the disease. This made me realise that PD robs you of many things and these slowly begin to emerge as the disease progresses. These are sometimes visible but are largely invisible. The unpredictability of this condition is the hardest to deal with. Just when you think that you are beating the beast, it throws you another curveball in the form of a new or worsened symptom. I would like to quote Maya Angelou here who said “Fear and hope cannot exist in the same place. Invite one to stay”. Living with PD, I choose to disagree with this proclamation. Fear and hope must exist in the same space because fear precedes hope. You have to fear something before hoping that it will get better or disappear. Fear and hope are not mutually exclusive, they can never be.

April is #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth

Ever wondered what the diary of someone with YOPD looks like?

Here’s entry 1

Dear Diary

Sometimes I feel like I have been relegated to the sidelines, watching you all play the game, a game that I am well trained in but the team doesn’t have confidence in me anymore. Before PD took over my being, I was co captain, it was my game too, I owned it in equal measure. Today, I feel alienated, ignored. Almost like I am a liability. One for whom plans need to be changed, compromises need to be made. Including me in normal everyday activities, a sore inconvenience. You are all polite and kind but I can see your patience slowly wearing off. It is not your fault, of course not. It is the nature of the disease.

This made me realise that PD robs you of many things and these slowly begin to emerge as the disease progresses. These are sometimes visible but are largely invisible. The unpredictability of this condition is the hardest to deal with. Just when you think that you are beating the beast, it throws you another curveball in the form of a new or worsened symptom.

I would like to quote Maya Angelou here who said “Fear and hope cannot exist in the same place. Invite one to stay”. Living with PD, I choose to disagree with this proclamation. Fear and hope must exist in the same space because fear precedes hope. You have to fear something before hoping that it will get better or disappear. Fear and hope are not mutually exclusive, they can never be.

Apr 06, 2024 8:36:17 pm

Notes On The Go added a new photo.

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Home Truths How do you pack a year away from home into two weeks, three if you’re lucky. All those times when you told yourself, “oh I will wait until I go home”. Is a mere two weeks enough to do all those things you wanted to do, meet all the people you wanted to meet, eat all that food you so dearly missed? Of course not! But then you learn to make the most of it. You listen to your soul for it is your soul that is in need of rejuvenation. And so you do whatever it takes to feel refreshed. You do this as if you are the only person that matters. That constant ache in your heart when you think about home will always be present, won’t it? The home that made and moulded you into the person you are today. Where that precious sense of belonging envelopes you like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s day. Where you will always be welcome with open arms. Home – is it a person, place or both? Let me leave you with that thought. ©️mommy.snippets Pic @[267936166577895:274:Wayfair] #belonging #home #homerambling #whatishome #homebound

Home Truths

How do you pack a year away from home into two weeks, three if you’re lucky. All those times when you told yourself, “oh I will wait until I go home”. Is a mere two weeks enough to do all those things you wanted to do, meet all the people you wanted to meet, eat all that food you so dearly missed? Of course not! But then you learn to make the most of it. You listen to your soul for it is your soul that is in need of rejuvenation. And so you do whatever it takes to feel refreshed. You do this as if you are the only person that matters.

That constant ache in your heart when you think about home will always be present, won’t it? The home that made and moulded you into the person you are today. Where that precious sense of belonging envelopes you like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s day. Where you will always be welcome with open arms.

Home – is it a person, place or both? Let me leave you with that thought.

©️mommy.snippets

Pic Wayfair

#belonging #home #homerambling #whatishome #homebound

Mar 21, 2024 2:58:02 pm

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Dear Baby R Your relationship with food has always been a tricky one. From waking you up for feeds as a newborn to encouraging you to try new foods, continues to be ‘exciting’ to put it positively. When you were three years old, every time we asked you to try some new food, you said you would start eating it when you turned 4. I began looking forward to your fourth birthday with much fervour – preparing dal amongst other things with much love and excitement. I clung on to that feather called hope despite my brain telling me otherwise about trusting the word of a 3 year old and so on. The most anticipated day arrived. You , all of four refused every single food that you were presented with. If ever there was a dramatic anticlimax this was it. To say that my spirit was deflated was an understatement. Never mind I consoled myself, at least we tried! This afternoon I was eating poha (flattened rice mixture) for lunch and offered some to you. “Not now Mummy” you said softly `’But can I eat it when I am 7 or 8 or 9?” making me burst out into laughter. I have always loved food so to see you being sooooooo suspicious of it is sometimes beyond me. I’m sure you will forge your own relationship with food and I for one cannot wait for that day to arrive! #fussyeater #fussytoddler #food #negotiator ©️mommy.snippets

Dear Baby R

Your relationship with food has always been a tricky one. From waking you up for feeds as a newborn to encouraging you to try new foods, continues to be ‘exciting’ to put it positively. When you were three years old, every time we asked you to try some new food, you said you would start eating it when you turned 4. I began looking forward to your fourth birthday with much fervour – preparing dal amongst other things with much love and excitement. I clung on to that feather called hope despite my brain telling me otherwise about trusting the word of a 3 year old and so on. The most anticipated day arrived. You , all of four refused every single food that you were presented with. If ever there was a dramatic anticlimax this was it. To say that my spirit was deflated was an understatement. Never mind I consoled myself, at least we tried!

This afternoon I was eating poha (flattened rice mixture) for lunch and offered some to you. “Not now Mummy” you said softly `’But can I eat it when I am 7 or 8 or 9?” making me burst out into laughter. I have always loved food so to see you being sooooooo suspicious of it is sometimes beyond me. I’m sure you will forge your own relationship with food and I for one cannot wait for that day to arrive!

#fussyeater #fussytoddler #food #negotiator

©️mommy.snippets

Mar 15, 2024 2:29:46 pm

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The changes in your body are not sudden, they are painfully slow. The suddenness of it happens when you realise that you can no longer function in the way that you used to. Perhaps the most difficult part is coping with the changes because you know better, you have known better. You know what a fully functional hand can do, you know what a perfectly balanced gait feels like, you know what being still means. You were not born with the condition. This condition that is so rife with unpredictability that it wants you to feel beaten. It wants you to believe that you are at its mercy. So everytime you take a step against it, you are winning. Please don’t stop taking that step, however small it may be. Go for that walk, ride that bike, draw that picture, cook that meal, sow that seed, Keep moving, keep going. #parkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #yopd #youngonsetparkinsons #movementdisorder #degenenrnanntivedisorder #incurablecondition #pdawareness #parkinsonslookslikeme #chronicillness #chroniccondition #keepgoing #keepmoving #womenwithpd #parkinsonssucks #letsfindacure #movementismedicine

The changes in your body are not sudden, they are painfully slow. The suddenness of it happens when you realise that you can no longer function in the way that you used to.
Perhaps the most difficult part is coping with the changes because you know better, you have known better. You know what a fully functional hand can do, you know what a perfectly balanced gait feels like, you know what being still means. You were not born with the condition. This condition that is so rife with unpredictability that it wants you to feel beaten. It wants you to believe that you are at its mercy.

So everytime you take a step against it, you are winning. Please don’t stop taking that step, however small it may be. Go for that walk, ride that bike, draw that picture, cook that meal, sow that seed,

Keep moving, keep going.

#parkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #yopd #youngonsetparkinsons #movementdisorder #degenenrnanntivedisorder #incurablecondition #pdawareness #parkinsonslookslikeme #chronicillness #chroniccondition #keepgoing #keepmoving #womenwithpd #parkinsonssucks #letsfindacure #movementismedicine

Mar 14, 2024 10:24:43 am

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Clutter Confessions

“Tidy up”, “declutter”, “be neat” are phrases that we grow up hearing. We are taught that clutter is “not good”, that it reflects laziness and chaos. We learn how to internalise this thought process and manifest it accordingly in our behaviour. As someone who is a stickler for ‘being tidy’, I always wondered how it must feel like to thrive amidst clutter and lo and behold my question was answered in the form of two tiny humans. Yes my most adorable kids who seem to accumulate clutter faster than a cheetah running a 100m race. I mean where is all this clutter coming from? Are we buying all this stuff? Do they have some sort of secret provider? Are these gifts? Is there some kind of mafia that we have no clue about? Someone , please help !

After roughly 7 years of being a mum myself, I am slowly learning to manage this whole clutter business by sometimes tackling it head on and at other times (I can’t believe I’m actually saying this) by embracing it . I must confess that I seek comfort in tidy surfaces, neatly arranged spaces, and well planned environments so the latter is a huge deal for me.

Living with two young kids where clutter is inevitable, my perspective on clutter is slowly changing. I am learning to appreciate the other often hidden aspects of it by reflecting on what comes to mind when I begin to really focus on clutter. I’m trying to use cognitive reframing , a classic technique used by cognitive behavioural practitioners where essentially you try and look at something from a different, more positive approach so as to make it more manageable and/or easier to cope with. So speaking of clutter, I have tried to come up with the following which I intend to come back to every time I feel overwhelmed by the clutter monster.

A busy life filled with energetic and well engaged kids who bring with them a variety of activities that inevitably leads to clutter. Think artwork, board games, craft and toys!

Fulfillment of an emotional need by reminding me of happy moments and memories. Think a greeting card, a book, a train ticket, an old lipstick, a bib!

A hint that my priorities have perhaps changed with the circumstances of my life and that’s okay!

So in hindsight, clutter is not always chaos. It can also be a choice and a very valid one at that. To each their own. After all, a fulfilling life is much more than just a tidy living space. Is it not? I’m still not entirely convinced though. What do you think?

©️mommy.snippets

Picture credit @[100063608376706:2048:Color Me Cluttered]

#clutter #clutterconfessions #reflectiononclutter #declutteringtips #declutteryourhome

Updated Mar 09, 2024 7:57:40 am

Mar 09, 2024 7:54:55 am

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Dear R & R

It’s World Book Day and I am keen that I read out loud with funny voices and all. It’s been a while since we did this together . This simple task of reading to you both helped me survive some very difficult days . Days fraught with me getting used to becoming a mum of two, my body experiencing odd symptoms , recovering from surgery, coping with postpartum issues and all of this against the backdrop of a global pandemic that came with its own challenges.

It was books I reached out to then, it was books that gave me something stable to hold onto as things around me and within me were changing, things over which I had no control. I remember some of the books so well – the both of you were really little (under 3y) and enjoyed in particular The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom, Going On A Bear Hunt and Giraffes Can’t Dance.

Trying to survive lockdown, I created story tuft trays based on books to keep you engaged and encourage learning. In hindsight, I wonder if it was a coping mechanism or just a fierce need to protect you from the threatening changes around and inside me that seemed to never tire of surprising me.

So today, for old times sake, I read aloud and you both sat with me, listening and enjoying the narration. And just like that we were transported back to those days where as we held each other in an uncertain world, the books held us and helped us heal.

Love

Mummy

#worldbookday2024 #books #introspection #grateful

Mar 07, 2024 5:24:04 pm

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My response to the #ofcoursechallenge Of Course I’m an Indian Woman, of course expressing my opinion and articulating my needs makes me “bold” I’m an Indian Woman, of course I will be labelled as too modern when I wear jeans to a place of worship I’m an Indian Woman, of course I will be asked why I’m not married yet when I turn 26, or 30 if I am lucky I’m an Indian Woman, of course I will move into my husband’s family home when I get married I’m an Indian Woman, of course I will adopt my husband’s family name I’m an Indian Woman, of course I have learnt that rest equals laziness I’m an Indian Woman, of course prioritising my needs makes me selfish I’m an Indian Woman, of course the needs of my family come before my own I’m an Indian Woman, of course I know how to make tea and round rotis I’m an Indian Woman, of course I can’t not want to have kids I’m an Indian Woman, of course I cannot challenge gender roles without being called a feminist I’m an Indian Woman, of course it is my job to tend to every need of my children and if I have a supportive hands on partner then of course I’m lucky, sooooo lucky, oh she’s soooo lucky na I’m an Indian Woman, of course I am a rebel because I had the “guts” to write this! ©️mommy.snippets

My response to the #ofcoursechallenge

Of Course

I’m an Indian Woman, of course expressing my opinion and articulating my needs makes me “bold”
I’m an Indian Woman, of course I will be labelled as too modern when I wear jeans to a place of worship
I’m an Indian Woman, of course I will be asked why I’m not married yet when I turn 26, or 30 if I am lucky
I’m an Indian Woman, of course I will move into my husband’s family home when I get married
I’m an Indian Woman, of course I will adopt my husband’s family name
I’m an Indian Woman, of course I have learnt that rest equals laziness
I’m an Indian Woman, of course prioritising my needs makes me selfish

I’m an Indian Woman, of course the needs of my family come before my own
I’m an Indian Woman, of course I know how to make tea and round rotis
I’m an Indian Woman, of course I can’t not want to have kids
I’m an Indian Woman, of course I cannot challenge gender roles without being called a feminist
I’m an Indian Woman, of course it is my job to tend to every need of my children and if I have a supportive hands on partner then of course I’m lucky, sooooo lucky, oh she’s soooo lucky na
I’m an Indian Woman, of course I am a rebel because I had the “guts” to write this!

©️mommy.snippets

Mar 03, 2024 8:51:29 am

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Dear Little R, Today was your school disco and the first time that we handed you some pocket money to spend at the event. The process of negotiation to settle on an amount was insightful to say the least. I liked how you confidently asked for a relatively large sum for a six-year-old and reassured us that you would not be spending everything, that you would also buy something for Baby R so the money wasn’t only for you but also for him. After going back-and-forth, we agreed on an amount which might I add, you reluctantly agreed to. You have always been a fiercely independent child, and to see you being responsible for actual money in the real world so to speak made me realise how quickly you’re growing up. The coins that I used to hide from you a few years ago lest you swallowed them by mistake were now safely tucked away in your school bag. Upon your return home , you excitedly shared with me that you only bought one packet of candy and a packet of potato crisps . “There was only junk food Mummy “ you said to me “ there was no healthy food at all. I did look very hard but only found crisps which are closest to healthy” you concluded with a shrug. I was taken aback by your judgement at such a young age. You never stop surprising me, my darling boy . My heart is full of gratitude and I have run out of words. Truly. #growingupfast #parenting #parenting #sixyearsold

Dear Little R,

Today was your school disco and the first time that we handed you some pocket money to spend at the event. The process of negotiation to settle on an amount was insightful to say the least. I liked how you confidently asked for a relatively large sum for a six-year-old and reassured us that you would not be spending everything, that you would also buy something for Baby R so the money wasn’t only for you but also for him. After going back-and-forth, we agreed on an amount which might I add, you reluctantly agreed to.

You have always been a fiercely independent child, and to see you being responsible for actual money in the real world so to speak made me realise how quickly you’re growing up. The coins that I used to hide from you a few years ago lest you swallowed them by mistake were now safely tucked away in your school bag.

Upon your return home , you excitedly shared with me that you only bought one packet of candy and a packet of potato crisps . “There was only junk food Mummy “ you said to me “ there was no healthy food at all. I did look very hard but only found crisps which are closest to healthy” you concluded with a shrug. I was taken aback by your judgement at such a young age. You never stop surprising me, my darling boy . My heart is full of gratitude and I have run out of words. Truly.

#growingupfast #parenting #parenting #sixyearsold

Mar 01, 2024 7:32:23 pm

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Dear Baby R I know you don’t like being called a baby but you will always be our baby (however cliched that sounds!). A couple of days ago my conversation with you made me realise that hey you’re growing up wayyyyy too soon. So about this conversation. You wore a new t-shirt with Hulk on it. I said to you “oh wow are you Hulk?.”No mummy” came the quick reply. “I am not Hulk because Hulk wears purple pants and I don’t have purple pants.” “Would you like me to buy you a pair?” I ask you. “Yes mummy, thank you! Can you buy pants without the strings please?” (waist ties). Before I could answer you continued “Or wait Mummy, maybe you can buy them, as long as they are purple!”. “Ok darling I will see what’s available” I say, my mind entirely distracted by how you and I are having a proper conversation about shopping, you sitting cross legged on the bed, so seriously discussing this matter of buying purple pants. It is this scene, the expressions on your face and this simple conversation that will remain with me. This moment where I felt you are now my little friend with whom I can chat about mundane things and yet feel so enamoured. These are moments that make me realise how far we’ve come my baby boy. I feel so privileged to be part of your story. ©️mommy.snippets #parenting #growingupfast #conversation #fouryearsold

Dear Baby R

I know you don’t like being called a baby but you will always be our baby (however cliched that sounds!). A couple of days ago my conversation with you made me realise that hey you’re growing up wayyyyy too soon. So about this conversation. You wore a new t-shirt with Hulk on it. I said to you “oh wow are you Hulk?.”No mummy” came the quick reply. “I am not Hulk because Hulk wears purple pants and I don’t have purple pants.” “Would you like me to buy you a pair?” I ask you. “Yes mummy, thank you! Can you buy pants without the strings please?” (waist ties).

Before I could answer you continued “Or wait Mummy, maybe you can buy them, as long as they are purple!”. “Ok darling I will see what’s available” I say, my mind entirely distracted by how you and I are having a proper conversation about shopping, you sitting cross legged on the bed, so seriously discussing this matter of buying purple pants. It is this scene, the expressions on your face and this simple conversation that will remain with me. This moment where I felt you are now my little friend with whom I can chat about mundane things and yet feel so enamoured. These are moments that make me realise how far we’ve come my baby boy. I feel so privileged to be part of your story.

©️mommy.snippets

#parenting #growingupfast #conversation #fouryearsold

Feb 28, 2024 2:06:32 pm

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Two Today I am reminded by Facebook memories that Notes On The Go turns 2 today. Birthdays so to speak call for moments of introspection. At this time I would like to thank you, the reader, for taking the time to read my notes, and for all your love and appreciation. I started Notes On The Go to capture snippets of writing about everyday life. I wanted to highlight the not so glamorous, little moments that make up our day. The sunrise, birds, chirping in the garden, the simple act of eating food, your children’s laughter, your favourite perfume, and so on. As I started writing more and more, the page became a platform for me to share my Parkinson’s journey with all of you. I also started sharing my opinions on current affairs and topics that I feel strongly about. Upon reflection, Notes On The Go has evolved into a safe space for me to share my thoughts with you, the reader. With so much content out there, I thank you for choosing to spend your time reading my work. It means the world to me. If there is anything that you want me to write about please do get in touch. I would love to know! Until then, happy reading!

Two Today

I am reminded by Facebook memories that Notes On The Go turns 2 today. Birthdays so to speak call for moments of introspection. At this time I would like to thank you, the reader, for taking the time to read my notes, and for all your love and appreciation. I started Notes On The Go to capture snippets of writing about everyday life. I wanted to highlight the not so glamorous, little moments that make up our day. The sunrise, birds, chirping in the garden, the simple act of eating food, your children’s laughter, your favourite perfume, and so on.

As I started writing more and more, the page became a platform for me to share my Parkinson’s journey with all of you. I also started sharing my opinions on current affairs and topics that I feel strongly about.
Upon reflection, Notes On The Go has evolved into a safe space for me to share my thoughts with you, the reader.

With so much content out there, I thank you for choosing to spend your time reading my work. It means the world to me. If there is anything that you want me to write about please do get in touch. I would love to know! Until then, happy reading!

Feb 25, 2024 9:54:53 am

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When did you become the ‘go to’ parent? The ‘fix it’ parent? The ‘help me’ parent? Wasn’t I donning all these hats? When did I hand them over to you? When did I learn to let go? Was it when I struggled to stick a straw into a juice packet or when I dragged my foot on a family outing? Or perhaps when I failed to button up a school shirt? I used to feel terrible about the whole thing. I somehow felt I was letting you down, letting the kids down. Then over the last year I slowly began to regain my confidence and with it came a change of perspective. There was no longer a need for just 1 go to parent. Both of us began playing this role albeit for different purposes. Today, our kids recognise both our strengths and weaknesses and cleverly approach either one of us depending on what they need help with. Parenting is a shared partnership and carrying out this role with you by my side makes me think that I lucked out – big time!. Thank you for always being my go to person. #Parkinsons #parenting #gotoperson

When did you become the ‘go to’ parent? The ‘fix it’ parent? The ‘help me’ parent?
Wasn’t I donning all these hats? When did I hand them over to you? When did I learn to let go? Was it when I struggled to stick a straw into a juice packet or when I dragged my foot on a family outing? Or perhaps when I failed to button up a school shirt? I used to feel terrible about the whole thing. I somehow felt I was letting you down, letting the kids down.

Then over the last year I slowly began to regain my confidence and with it came a change of perspective. There was no longer a need for just 1 go to parent. Both of us began playing this role albeit for different purposes. Today, our kids recognise both our strengths and weaknesses and cleverly approach either one of us depending on what they need help with. Parenting is a shared partnership and carrying out this role with you by my side makes me think that I lucked out – big time!. Thank you for always being my go to person.

#Parkinsons #parenting #gotoperson

Feb 21, 2024 12:58:48 pm

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I recently came across a form of Poetry called Ekphrastic poetry. Essentially, this form is inspired by a piece of art. I’m really enjoying this form. It’s soothing to say the least .

I participated in a prompt challenge a couple of days ago hosted by Thesharedpenofficial and was recognised by them for my poem.

I am sharing with you the picture prompt as well as my poem. Would love to know your thoughts.

Much love ❤️

Feb 19, 2024 4:16:22 pm

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This illustration by Kat Tsai prompted me to write a poem from the perspective of a couple in a long distance relationship. The desire to experience the other’s world but only getting glimpses into it. Glimpses Of Your World The color of your sofa The design on your cutlery That tree outside your window Birds chirping merrily as we speak The pasta you made The painting above your bed That postman ringing your doorbell The wind howling hauntingly against our banter The routine you swear by The silences within your speech That favourite perfume you wear A child calling out your name I hold on to these glimpses of your world Trying to piece them all together And every time I think I have succeeded You surprise me with another! ©️mommy.snippets #yourworld #longdistancerelationship #glimpses #poetrycommunity

This illustration by Kat Tsai prompted me to write a poem from the perspective of a couple in a long distance relationship. The desire to experience the other’s world but only getting glimpses into it.

Glimpses Of Your World

The color of your sofa
The design on your cutlery
That tree outside your window
Birds chirping merrily as we speak

The pasta you made
The painting above your bed
That postman ringing your doorbell
The wind howling hauntingly against our banter

The routine you swear by
The silences within your speech
That favourite perfume you wear
A child calling out your name

I hold on to these glimpses of your world
Trying to piece them all together
And every time I think I have succeeded
You surprise me with another!

©️mommy.snippets

#yourworld #longdistancerelationship #glimpses #poetrycommunity

Feb 04, 2024 5:00:50 pm

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Motherhood Musing As we travel through this beautiful journey of motherhood, we come across many heartwarming and heartbreaking moments. Motherhood always reminds me of a bittersweet chocolate. Sometimes this chocolate has a surprising centre and at other times it is quite plain. That is the beauty of this journey because you never know which chocolate you will get on a particular day. Yet you are happy because it is chocolate after all and happiness and chocolates are the same thing aren’t they ? ©️mommy.snippets Pic @[100064615696925:2048:Saatchi Art] #motherhood #motherhoodmusings #bittersweet #happiness

Motherhood Musing

As we travel through this beautiful journey of motherhood, we come across many heartwarming and heartbreaking moments. Motherhood always reminds me of a bittersweet chocolate. Sometimes this chocolate has a surprising centre and at other times it is quite plain. That is the beauty of this journey because you never know which chocolate you will get on a particular day. Yet you are happy because it is chocolate after all and happiness and chocolates are the same thing aren’t they ?

©️mommy.snippets

Pic Saatchi Art

#motherhood #motherhoodmusings #bittersweet #happiness

Feb 02, 2024 9:51:48 am

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The world doesn’t stop for you when you receive a life changing diagnosis. It doesn’t wait until you are able to digest it. It doesn’t change its rules just for you. It just keeps moving and you are just expected to carry on . Here’s the truth- no one gets it until they get it . So. You have to take it all in and get on with finding new ways of relating to this world and you slowly learn how to do this. You buy slip on trainers, bags with fewer zips and buttonless coats. You time your medication so that you are at the peak of your ON time for work and other appointments. You eat something before going to a restaurant to save you the embarrassment of struggling with cutlery. You remind yourself to smile so that your face doesn’t look blank. Sometimes you may even have to use incontinence pads and deal with brain fog. And then there are times when you find it hard to relate to this world. Like when you can’t sign a document at the bank. When you are at the supermarket and you freeze in the middle of the aisle. When you forget where you parked your car and whether or not you just took your medication. All this and more when you are still young and facing the ups and downs of adulthood be it career, family , health and financial security. The world doesn’t change its parameters for you, hell no! So YOU show them how it’s done and HOW! The world doesn’t stop and neither should you! You are amazing. Keep moving. Keep going. (Thank you for reading)

The world doesn’t stop for you when you receive a life changing diagnosis. It doesn’t wait until you are able to digest it. It doesn’t change its rules just for you. It just keeps moving and you are just expected to carry on . Here’s the truth- no one gets it until they get it . So. You have to take it all in and get on with finding new ways of relating to this world and you slowly learn how to do this.

You buy slip on trainers, bags with fewer zips and buttonless coats. You time your medication so that you are at the peak of your ON time for work and other appointments. You eat something before going to a restaurant to save you the embarrassment of struggling with cutlery. You remind yourself to smile so that your face doesn’t look blank. Sometimes you may even have to use incontinence pads and deal with brain fog.

And then there are times when you find it hard to relate to this world. Like when you can’t sign a document at the bank. When you are at the supermarket and you freeze in the middle of the aisle. When you forget where you parked your car and whether or not you just took your medication.

All this and more when you are still young and facing the ups and downs of adulthood be it career, family , health and financial security. The world doesn’t change its parameters for you, hell no!

So YOU show them how it’s done and HOW!

The world doesn’t stop and neither should you!

You are amazing. Keep moving. Keep going.

(Thank you for reading)

Jan 28, 2024 6:55:01 am

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Fear

Fear takes on a new meaning when you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s at a young age. During the first few months after diagnosis you fear every single thing. But you learn how to manage this fear because PD gives you a different perspective on fear itself.When you are dealing with the unpredictable nature of the symptoms your entire mindset changes.

You no longer fear the superficial stuff like losing your youthful appearance, a game or sport and most of all the fear of what will people say or log kya kahenge. You don’t have time to fear the
things you once did.

Your fears take on new guises- From brushing your teeth in the morning to carrying out daily tasks and finally trying to sleep as you fight insomnia and vivid nightmares. You fear how you will endure the vagaries of this condition. You fear the years ahead. You fear the reaction of your kid(s) Fear, fear, fear.

You also begin to fear the important things like losing the people you love, losing your health, losing your self respect and dignity.

You focus your energy on getting through your day with as much resilience and gratitude that you can muster. And when you do this day after day without the guarantee of a cure, it bestows you with a kind of power. The power to carry on despite the fear.

Here’s to my fellow warriors – You are powerful despite the fear. Keep going, keep moving

mommy.snippets

#parkinsonsawareness #yopd #fear #powerful

Updated Jan 26, 2024 6:56:17 am

Jan 26, 2024 6:54:06 am

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Religious Exhibitionism (?) I sit staring at the NEWS where images of saffron flags crowd my television screen. Smug opinion pieces make me numb and social media posts continue to shock me. We forget individual stories don’t we? Is it collective amnesia or a need to conform? Or is it just sitting on the fence without a view because ‘hey it doesn’t affect me’. As I ponder over these questions the images from the 1992 riots appear before my eyes as if they were being shown to me as snapshots in a dark room. 7 year old me being collected from school in utter panic by a friend’s mum, people running helter skelter on the streets of Bombay, some with swords in their hand, shouting and screaming along the way, anger and fear rising around me at tremendous speed. I then see a local bakery set on fire, with its black fumes adding to the darkness that seems to have rapidly descended upon the city. I see my parents worried as they await my grandad’s return from a local doctor’s appointment, the relief on their faces when they see him arrive home and their shocked expressions when he tells them that he was asked to identify himself as Hindu or Muslim. Not everyone was as lucky. Images of people being mindlessly killed still come back to haunt me. The ‘what if’s’ still manage to give me a chill down my spine. I know of those who were personally impacted by the riots , an aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition and this is what I mean when I say that we forget the individual stories. The shock, the grief, the immeasureable violence that a family contended with and the grief. Oh! The grief. It makes me sad to see these celebrations and perhaps after reading this post I will be labelled a bad Hindu. News articles, trivia and facts will be thrown my way. But here’s where I stand – before being Hindu I am a sensitive human – one that just cannot comprehend how systemic this display of religious supremacy has become. It makes me believe even more in the very wise words of Karl Marx – Religion is the opium of the masses. Indeed Sir! Nothing else can explain this event to my mind. Pic credit – Imanuel Helmy #ayodhya #individualstories #RamTemple #Secularism #religion #exhibitionism #bombayriots #bombay #1992s

Religious Exhibitionism (?)

I sit staring at the NEWS where images of saffron flags crowd my television screen. Smug opinion pieces make me numb and social media posts continue to shock me.
We forget individual stories don’t we? Is it collective amnesia or a need to conform? Or is it just sitting on the fence without a view because ‘hey it doesn’t affect me’.

As I ponder over these questions the images from the 1992 riots appear before my eyes as if they were being shown to me as snapshots in a dark room. 7 year old me being collected from school in utter panic by a friend’s mum, people running helter skelter on the streets of Bombay, some with swords in their hand, shouting and screaming along the way, anger and fear rising around me at tremendous speed. I then see a local bakery set on fire, with its black fumes adding to the darkness that seems to have rapidly descended upon the city. I see my parents worried as they await my grandad’s return from a local doctor’s appointment, the relief on their faces when they see him arrive home and their shocked expressions when he tells them that he was asked to identify himself as Hindu or Muslim. Not everyone was as lucky. Images of people being mindlessly killed still come back to haunt me. The ‘what if’s’ still manage to give me a chill down my spine.

I know of those who were personally impacted by the riots , an aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition and this is what I mean when I say that we forget the individual stories. The shock, the grief, the immeasureable violence that a family contended with and the grief. Oh! The grief.

It makes me sad to see these celebrations and perhaps after reading this post I will be labelled a bad Hindu. News articles, trivia and facts will be thrown my way. But here’s where I stand – before being Hindu I am a sensitive human – one that just cannot comprehend how systemic this display of religious supremacy has become. It makes me believe even more in the very wise words of Karl Marx – Religion is the opium of the masses. Indeed Sir! Nothing else can explain this event to my mind.

Pic credit – Imanuel Helmy

#ayodhya #individualstories #RamTemple #Secularism #religion #exhibitionism #bombayriots #bombay #1992s

Jan 22, 2024 6:11:33 pm

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Throwback Thursday – Truly! Thursday started slowly, with outside temperatures plummeting to -5 degrees. The kids had to be peeled out of their cosy beds, me feeling terribly sorry for having to disrupt their blissful slumber. As I turned on the radio, songs from the nineties began to jingle through the quiet stillness of this cold winter morning. Once the morning rush was over and I had the house to myself, I began pondering about our roots, why they are important and how to ensure their existence in a world that is changing far too quickly. For some reason, instead of typing away on my phone, as I normally would, I reached out to my pen and diary and began writing down my thoughts. It felt good to write again, actually write. Despite my crammed handwriting, despite my sometimes shaky hand, despite the fatigue that creeps in unannounced. It was reassuring to see the creative process panning out on paper, the doodles, the scratching out of some words, the addition of others and so on. My thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell which happened to be the postman. Amidst the pile of advertising flyers and bills my eyes fell upon a white envelope with colourful stamps and a handwritten address. It was a birthday card sent to me by old friends all the way from India. I was so pleased to see this card which was handwritten so beautifully with an ink pen might I add. Oh! This Thursday took me back to simpler times. It reminded me of what once was and filled me with nostalgia. It has truly been Throwback Thursday and how! #throwback #thursdayvibes #ThrowbackThursday #nostalgicmoments #nostalgic

Throwback Thursday – Truly!

Thursday started slowly, with outside temperatures plummeting to -5 degrees. The kids had to be peeled out of their cosy beds, me feeling terribly sorry for having to disrupt their blissful slumber. As I turned on the radio, songs from the nineties began to jingle through the quiet stillness of this cold winter morning. Once the morning rush was over and I had the house to myself, I began pondering about our roots, why they are important and how to ensure their existence in a world that is changing far too quickly.

For some reason, instead of typing away on my phone, as I normally would, I reached out to my pen and diary and began writing down my thoughts. It felt good to write again, actually write. Despite my crammed handwriting, despite my sometimes shaky hand, despite the fatigue that creeps in unannounced. It was reassuring to see the creative process panning out on paper, the doodles, the scratching out of some words, the addition of others and so on.

My thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell which happened to be the postman. Amidst the pile of advertising flyers and bills my eyes fell upon a white envelope with colourful stamps and a handwritten address. It was a birthday card sent to me by old friends all the way from India. I was so pleased to see this card which was handwritten so beautifully with an ink pen might I add.

Oh! This Thursday took me back to simpler times. It reminded me of what once was and filled me with nostalgia. It has truly been Throwback Thursday and how!

#throwback #thursdayvibes #ThrowbackThursday #nostalgicmoments #nostalgic

Jan 18, 2024 3:25:37 pm

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Earthy Enchantments There is something very wholesome about digging into soil as you tend to a plant. The soil on your fingers is that deep connection you have with the earth as you nurture but a part of Her glorious bounty. I have very fond memories of gardening with Ajju, my paternal grandfather and Ammamma, my maternal grandmother. I would keenly observe as they potted new plants, pruned existing ones and supplemented the soil with compost when required. Ajju was a man of few words so I would stand beside him as his expert hands meticulously looked after his precious plants. He would always let me have a go at whatever he was doing, guiding me and holding my hand as my curious mind explored this activity. My Ammamma on the other hand was a brilliant orator and had a knack for storytelling. Helping her in her garden was a much looked forward to event during our annual trip to visit her. She would lovingly explain to us the nature of the new plants, which trees bore fruit and how much, which are her current favourite plants and so on – all this when watering the garden. I remember asking her all sorts of questions and she would very patiently answer each one with a smile upon her face. On our recent trip to Mumbai my boys helped my mum with harvesting fresh ginger from the soil. The whole process was so fulfilling to watch. The boys giddy with excitement and their Ammamma guiding them whilst answering their many questions. This brought back a gush of memories. Oh! It sure did. History does indeed repeat itself and for this moment, I will always remain so grateful. Pictures Deepak Amembal Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye #earth #soil #grandparents #gardening #preciousmoments #gratitude #freshginger

Earthy Enchantments

There is something very wholesome about digging into soil as you tend to a plant. The soil on your fingers is that deep connection you have with the earth as you nurture but a part of Her glorious bounty. I have very fond memories of gardening with Ajju, my paternal grandfather and Ammamma, my maternal grandmother. I would keenly observe as they potted new plants, pruned existing ones and supplemented the soil with compost when required. Ajju was a man of few words so I would stand beside him as his expert hands meticulously looked after his precious plants. He would always let me have a go at whatever he was doing, guiding me and holding my hand as my curious mind explored this activity.

My Ammamma on the other hand was a brilliant orator and had a knack for storytelling. Helping her in her garden was a much looked forward to event during our annual trip to visit her. She would lovingly explain to us the nature of the new plants, which trees bore fruit and how much, which are her current favourite plants and so on – all this when watering the garden. I remember asking her all sorts of questions and she would very patiently answer each one with a smile upon her face.

On our recent trip to Mumbai my boys helped my mum with harvesting fresh ginger from the soil. The whole process was so fulfilling to watch. The boys giddy with excitement and their Ammamma guiding them whilst answering their many questions. This brought back a gush of memories. Oh! It sure did. History does indeed repeat itself and for this moment, I will always remain so grateful.

Pictures Deepak Amembal Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye

#earth #soil #grandparents #gardening #preciousmoments #gratitude #freshginger

Jan 17, 2024 4:08:53 pm

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Body & Mind When you are living with a degenerative condition such as PD, how you relate to your environment changes over time. I felt this intensely every single day when I was on holiday in India. I realised I can no longer interact with my surroundings like I used to before my diagnosis. Shopping, eating out at restaurants, visiting relatives and friends, using public transport and even living at home is different now. My body is more aware of external stimuli as it tries hard to adapt in an environment that was once familiar. But here’s what I really discovered. Your mind is your best friend and also your worst enemy. We often disregard its power when bogged down with physical symptoms. Essentially, the body will try to heal itself ; the challenge is to silence the sometimes miserable mind. #parkinsonsawareness #parkinsonslookslikeme #youngonsetparkinsons

Body & Mind

When you are living with a degenerative condition such as PD, how you relate to your environment changes over time. I felt this intensely every single day when I was on holiday in India. I realised I can no longer interact with my surroundings like I used to before my diagnosis.

Shopping, eating out at restaurants, visiting relatives and friends, using public transport and even living at home is different now. My body is more aware of external stimuli as it tries hard to adapt in an environment that was once familiar.

But here’s what I really discovered. Your mind is your best friend and also your worst enemy. We often disregard its power when bogged down with physical symptoms. Essentially, the body will try to heal itself ; the challenge is to silence the sometimes miserable mind.

#parkinsonsawareness #parkinsonslookslikeme #youngonsetparkinsons

Jan 12, 2024 6:04:26 pm

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Bombay Series 4 – Food

Many books have been written about food. In fact books focusing on one cuisine or even one food in particular are popular. Food is more than just a recipe. It is a facilitator of togetherness and an elicitor of memories. That bowl of porridge which is your go to breakfast on busy mornings or your favourite pizza place that knows exactly how you like your toppings. And What about those cream biscuits your mum would lovingly pack as a treat in your snack box?

My associations with food are far too many. If however you asked me to choose something that I associate only with Bombay it would have to be Ice Gola!

The sound of waves crashing as a gentle welcome breeze caresses my face and plays havoc with my hair. I can hear children squealing with delight as they run into the crashing ways and their concerned parents warning them not to go too far into the sea. A visit to the beach was a special treat and although we were allowed to eat from the various stalls lining the beach we were strictly forbidden from eating the coveted ice gola.

Those icy mounds of pure joy bathed in bright colours – red, green, yellow, blue and a deep purple. The gola stick is dunked in a cup of colourful flavoured syrup and the way to eat the gola is to suck on the ice until such time that both the ice and syrup disappear.

The source of the water used to make these golas was questionable so parents feared that eating these would lead to catching a dangerous disease like typhoid. The fact that they were forbidden made it even more tempting to us kids. So even though we never really got to eat the yummy gola at the beach, we tried our luck at the gola wala cart outside our school gates.

My favourite flavour was and still is Kala Khatta – a deep purple colour, the crushed ice reeking of rock salt, sweet undertones of a berry like fruit and a very slight sourness that beautifully compliments the other two flavours.

The love affair with gola was a dangerous one as the colour of the gola would remain on your tongue as clear evidence of your notoriety. So I very rarely had the ‘guts’ to indulge as a child. By the time I started attending college, I became conscious of the hygiene aspects of street food sellers and only rarely ate gola in the company of friends. Nowadays, you can see golas being sold in some restaurants but you are left bereft of the thrill of eating it from a Gola wala’s cart.

#bombayseries #motherlandcalling #icegola #kalakhatta

Pic credit- dazlstudio

Updated Dec 17, 2023 7:34:35 am

Dec 17, 2023 7:31:24 am

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Bombay Series 3 – The Sea “You loved the sea ever since you were a baby”, My mother’s voice echoes within my mind. I will myself to sleep on my annual flight home to Mumbai or Bombay as I still like to call it. I am slowly drawn into what appears to be a very real dream. I am five again and running barefoot in the sand. Grains of loose sand are flying around me, making me run even faster. I am chasing the waves, which have receded in sync with the tide. If you were to look at me I would appear to be chasing the horizon. I am running at full speed, the blood rushing to my cheeks, the wind playing havoc with my unruly crown of curls. Suddenly my younger brother is racing alongside me, his tubby toddler feet not letting him down. We are both squealing with delight as the rush of adrenaline consumes our tiny bodies. We only stop when our feet hit the waves. I plunge into the sea without a care in the world. The salty water enters my nose and mouth at once. My eyes are tightly shut making me feel like I am in a vacuum. Then like a dolphin I emerge from the sea, coughing and laughing at the same time. “Akku, Akku!” I hear my brother’s voice before I open my eyes. I can taste the salty seawater now and lick my lips clean before splashing sea water on my brother and challenging him to another race. “Excuse me Madam, what would you like to drink?” I now hear the airhostess’s voice waking me up from my slumber. “Just a glass of water please”. I say. “And oh! Could I also have a packet of salt please?”, I request her. Leaving her entirely befuddled. #bombayseries #motherlandcalling #thesea

Bombay Series 3 – The Sea

“You loved the sea ever since you were a baby”, My mother’s voice echoes within my mind. I will myself to sleep on my annual flight home to Mumbai or Bombay as I still like to call it. I am slowly drawn into what appears to be a very real dream. I am five again and running barefoot in the sand. Grains of loose sand are flying around me, making me run even faster. I am chasing the waves, which have receded in sync with the tide. If you were to look at me I would appear to be chasing the horizon. I am running at full speed, the blood rushing to my cheeks, the wind playing havoc with my unruly crown of curls.

Suddenly my younger brother is racing alongside me, his tubby toddler feet not letting him down. We are both squealing with delight as the rush of adrenaline consumes our tiny bodies. We only stop when our feet hit the waves. I plunge into the sea without a care in the world. The salty water enters my nose and mouth at once. My eyes are tightly shut making me feel like I am in a vacuum. Then like a dolphin I emerge from the sea, coughing and laughing at the same time.

“Akku, Akku!” I hear my brother’s voice before I open my eyes. I can taste the salty seawater now and lick my lips clean before splashing sea water on my brother and challenging him to another race. “Excuse me Madam, what would you like to drink?” I now hear the airhostess’s voice waking me up from my slumber. “Just a glass of water please”. I say. “And oh! Could I also have a packet of salt please?”, I request her. Leaving her entirely befuddled.

#bombayseries #motherlandcalling #thesea

Dec 16, 2023 10:19:29 am

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Bombay Series #2 Laughter My parents’ living room, where my extended family has gathered around for cha (tea) and gupshup (banter). Dad and Uncle are cracking dad jokes, the rest of us laughing out loud to humour them. My grandma is sitting by the dining table overlooking her brood, a quiet sense of contentment on her face. My mum and aunt are flitting about from kitchen to living room ensuring everyone’s tummies are full. They are then cajoled into joining in the fun, to forget about the logistics and just relax and have a laugh with the rest of us. Conversation is flowing like that cha and everybody appears to be in good spirits. It is this moment that makes me feel so loved and grateful for this gift of family. It doesn’t matter that we don’t meet often enough now that we are in different parts of the world. But when we meet it is as if the years in between melt away. Individually we all create a collective energy that lifts us and protects us. And that moment to me is everything. #bombayseries #laughter #motherlandcalling #gratefulheart #family Pic @zandra_paints

Bombay Series #2

Laughter

My parents’ living room, where my extended family has gathered around for cha (tea) and gupshup (banter). Dad and Uncle are cracking dad jokes, the rest of us laughing out loud to humour them. My grandma is sitting by the dining table overlooking her brood, a quiet sense of contentment on her face. My mum and aunt are flitting about from kitchen to living room ensuring everyone’s tummies are full. They are then cajoled into joining in the fun, to forget about the logistics and just relax and have a laugh with the rest of us.

Conversation is flowing like that cha and everybody appears to be in good spirits. It is this moment that makes me feel so loved and grateful for this gift of family. It doesn’t matter that we don’t meet often enough now that we are in different parts of the world. But when we meet it is as if the years in between melt away. Individually we all create a collective energy that lifts us and protects us. And that moment to me is everything.

#bombayseries #laughter #motherlandcalling #gratefulheart #family

Pic @zandra_paints

Dec 15, 2023 9:26:28 am

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Bombay Series In a week from today, I will be visiting the motherland and as the day of travel approaches I experience a potpourri of emotions. As part of the countdown to once again heading back to our roots, I will share with you seven short notes associated with my growing up days in Bombay. I will choose 7 words that first come to mind when I think of Bombay and use that word as the central theme of the note. Here are the seven words: Laughter Sea Food Shopping Mango Cousins Stray Dogs and Cats Mango- Aamsaath or Aam Papdi (Mango Jelly) The closest translation of Aamsaath or Aam Papdi is Mango Jelly. Its texture is far from the wobbly nature of regular jelly; however its translucent appearance is quite similar. Having grown up in Mumbai on India’s west coast, mangoes and all its delicious products were easily available to me. Aamsaath is more of a preserve of the actual fruit so that it can be enjoyed even in the ‘off season’. Aamsaath used to be a very popular snack that was sold at train stations en route to destinations in Karnataka from Mumbai as more often than not the major stations would be along the coast. Every year in the months of November/December, my paternal grandparents would visit our native village in Karnataka and an overnight train journey would ensue. They would without fail bring back some Aamsaath with them and I would gorge on these far too quickly without realising that I may have to wait a while until I lay my hands on these again. Having relatives in Karnataka was always welcome as a special request to bring the Aamsaath could be kindly forwarded to them. Of course there were times when we visited my maternal grandparents in Bangalore by train and stocking up on the delicious sweet was no problem then. If you are familiar with Aamsaath, you may recall that it is made up of various layers, akin to filo pastry. My favourite method of eating this sweet is by peeling off layer after layer until the whole chunk has been rightfully consumed. That wasn’t how I always ate it though. I remember biting into the various layers in one go, finishing the aamsaath very speedily and sitting back on our living room sofa with a smug smile on my face when enter, my granduncle with a delicious looking chunk of the same sweet. He made himself comfortable in his favourite armchair and began devouring the aamsaath layer by layer. I clearly recall the feeling of being tempted once again to eat some more of the aamsaath but there was no way that I could get more than my share on that day. So, I had no option but to sit there and be mesmerised by how he deftly separated the sweet before enjoying it in its entirety. To my granduncle, perhaps this method of eating the aamsaath wasn’t such a great revelation but to me it surely was! Pic Archanas Kitchen #Bombayseries #mango

Bombay Series

In a week from today, I will be visiting the motherland and as the day of travel approaches I experience a potpourri of emotions. As part of the countdown to once again heading back to our roots, I will share with you seven short notes associated with my growing up days in Bombay. I will choose 7 words that first come to mind when I think of Bombay and use that word as the central theme of the note. Here are the seven words:

Laughter
Sea
Food
Shopping
Mango
Cousins
Stray Dogs and Cats

Mango- Aamsaath or Aam Papdi (Mango Jelly)

The closest translation of Aamsaath or Aam Papdi is Mango Jelly. Its texture is far from the wobbly nature of regular jelly; however its translucent appearance is quite similar. Having grown up in Mumbai on India’s west coast, mangoes and all its delicious products were easily available to me. Aamsaath is more of a preserve of the actual fruit so that it can be enjoyed even in the ‘off season’. Aamsaath used to be a very popular snack that was sold at train stations en route to destinations in Karnataka from Mumbai as more often than not the major stations would be along the coast.

Every year in the months of November/December, my paternal grandparents would visit our native village in Karnataka and an overnight train journey would ensue. They would without fail bring back some Aamsaath with them and I would gorge on these far too quickly without realising that I may have to wait a while until I lay my hands on these again. Having relatives in Karnataka was always welcome as a special request to bring the Aamsaath could be kindly forwarded to them. Of course there were times when we visited my maternal grandparents in Bangalore by train and stocking up on the delicious sweet was no problem then.

If you are familiar with Aamsaath, you may recall that it is made up of various layers, akin to filo pastry. My favourite method of eating this sweet is by peeling off layer after layer until the whole chunk has been rightfully consumed. That wasn’t how I always ate it though. I remember biting into the various layers in one go, finishing the aamsaath very speedily and sitting back on our living room sofa with a smug smile on my face when enter, my granduncle with a delicious looking chunk of the same sweet. He made himself comfortable in his favourite armchair and began devouring the aamsaath layer by layer. I clearly recall the feeling of being tempted once again to eat some more of the aamsaath but there was no way that I could get more than my share on that day. So, I had no option but to sit there and be mesmerised by how he deftly separated the sweet before enjoying it in its entirety. To my granduncle, perhaps this method of eating the aamsaath wasn’t such a great revelation but to me it surely was!

Pic Archanas Kitchen

#Bombayseries #mango

Dec 14, 2023 12:52:24 pm

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Sometimes you need to see this in writing. You need to read it written down in black and white quite literally. Fighting this complicated condition is easier said than done. No two people with Parkinson’s disease have the same symptoms. No same person experiences their symptoms in the same pattern every single day. The unpredictability of this cruel condition is perhaps the most challenging aspect of it. It is incurable and it is degenerative, which means it will get worse with time, however, what it teaches you is more valuable than what it takes away from you. Parkinson’s teaches you that you have just one life and that you need to live it somehow. It teaches you to recognise the people who truly care about you. It helps you focus on what is really important in life.

As a young person, Enduring a long and tedious, diagnostic process, makes you battle hardened for life. Attending brain scans and MRIs while your children are in Preschool and Nursery makes you realise how young you really are to be afflicted with Parkinson’s but you visualise that you are on a beach as you are gently slid into the MRI machine.

There are good days and some not so good days. It is important to acknowledge both. Not so good days can be scary at times. Not knowing how the disease will progress, how quickly it will degenerate and what new symptoms might emerge make it all a very nerve racking experience. You could say it is what nightmares are made of. Unfortunately, though, for some of us, it is the harsh reality.

Of course, we try to focus on the positives, live in the moment and so on. The exercise helps, the medication does too. But here’s the catch NOT ALWAYS! And this is the most important bit that you need to know when you meet someone with PD. And please remember this. They are doing their best to survive in a world that is largely uncomfortable with them speaking their truth.

#parkinsons #parentingwithparkinsons #parkinsonsawareness #yopd #youngonsetparkinsons

thank you All on the Board ❤️


Dec 05, 2023 5:42:26 pm

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Dear Little R

“Will you really play chess with me Mummmy?”you ask me, your voice entirely agog. I have always avoided playing chess with you because I don’t trust my hand to behave itself. It would be rather embarrassing to see me knocking off all the pieces on the chessboard. However, today, more than two years after learning how to manage my condition, I feel more confident. You must know that this is a huge step for me.

You begin teaching me the rules of the game very sincerely while I try to understand them. I am enamored by your thought process, the strategies that you are considering at multiple levels and at the same time helping me make sensible moves. No surprises then that you win the game and brilliantly so.

I feel so proud of you that I want to capture every single aspect of this game and the emotions it has evoked, so I take a picture of us. “I want to pose with the Queens, Mummy” you tell me. “And why is that?” I ask , curious to know what a 6 year old will reply. “because…” you begin tentatively “….queens have the real power”. I laugh and mutter “you got that right kid, you got that right!”

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#queen #chesspieces
#chess #parentingwithparkinsons #parkinsons #LittleMaster

Updated Nov 23, 2023 7:07:29 am

Nov 23, 2023 7:01:12 am

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Charisma Various Bollywood celebrities posing with David Beckham has been flooding my social media feeds. It reminds me of a friend whose cousin from America would visit him every summer holiday and all of us kids wanted to play with said cousin. Doesn’t matter that he was blissfully ignorant about his charming nature. That nonchalance made him more attractive. It was a kind of effortless charisma. What is it about charismatic people that make them so sought after? A charismatic personality is typically described as magnetic and persuasive, a special kind of likable. Charismatic individuals are approachable and gain the trust of others around them fairly quickly. They are friendly and confident, self assured and real. All of these characteristics facilitate the process of influencing those around them. Now I understand why we were almost in awe of the American cousin or thinking of it why everyone wanted a piece of Beckham. It’s not their “otherness” that is attractive but their charisma that inevitably wields its magic. ©️mommy.snippets #charisma #Charismatic #charismaticcharm #nonchalant #Effortless #charmer

Charisma

Various Bollywood celebrities posing with David Beckham has been flooding my social media feeds. It reminds me of a friend whose cousin from America would visit him every summer holiday and all of us kids wanted to play with said cousin. Doesn’t matter that he was blissfully ignorant about his charming nature. That nonchalance made him more attractive. It was a kind of effortless charisma.

What is it about charismatic people that make them so sought after? A charismatic personality is typically described as magnetic and persuasive, a special kind of likable. Charismatic individuals are approachable and gain the trust of others around them fairly quickly. They are friendly and confident, self assured and real. All of these characteristics facilitate the process of influencing those around them.

Now I understand why we were almost in awe of the American cousin or thinking of it why everyone wanted a piece of Beckham. It’s not their “otherness” that is attractive but their charisma that inevitably wields its magic.

©️mommy.snippets

#charisma #Charismatic #charismaticcharm #nonchalant #Effortless #charmer

Nov 17, 2023 3:55:42 pm

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Kandil (Lantern)

“Vaggi yaw ma, kandil laaylya paley pappa ne” (Come quickly dear, see your dad has put up the lantern!”) I hear my grandmother’s excited voice calling out to me. I rush to the balcony of our modest two bedroom apartment in Bombay to see one of the three most awaited decorative items for Diwali , the other two being rangoli and toran.

The kandil this year is a gorgeous rosy pink with intricate floral designs on it. The light emerges in beautiful soft tones creating pretty silhouettes on the balcony wall. I stand there with my grandma entirely mesmerised with the shadow play that the kandil plays out for us its audience.

“Kitle gomtey dista nave ma?” (Doesn’t it look beautiful dear?) my grandma asks me affectionately. “Vhaee, so pretty” (Yes, so pretty) I respond. As I am lost in my thoughts, I suddenly remember my Art homework. “Papama, art homework aasa, Diwali theme aasa, kalle koru?” (Grandma, I have art homework, the theme is Diwali , what should I do?” My grandma thinks for a few seconds before exclaiming “Kandilachenchi chitra kaadi! Gomtey distale!” (Draw a lantern! It will look beautiful) . She then proceeds to help me draw and decorate the kandil on my A3 sized drawing sheet.

I remember being so happy in that moment that the kandil always reminds me of my grandma. After all, she has always been my guiding light. And today on Diwali, I wish I could be 7 years old again , doing artwork with her in that modest 2 bedroom apartment in Bombay .

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#HappyDiwali #DiwaliMemories #Grandmother #memoriesofhome
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Updated Nov 12, 2023 7:40:56 am

Nov 12, 2023 7:33:08 am

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Valleys and Peaks It suddenly hits you, catches you unaware. The realisation that you are living with an incurable degenerative neurological condition. When you’re shopping, cooking, watching television, speaking to a friend, doing homework with the kid(s) and so on. Fighting this battle every day and night is tiring. Being brave is exhausting. Your mind and body can take only so much at once. There are peaks and then there are valleys. It is okay to lie low in the valleys when you need to. It is okay to wonder Why Me? It is okay to feel all the big feelings and react the way you want to because you didn’t ask to fight this battle. To fight it for your entire lifetime. So when it hits you, let it. Acknowledge it. Let it sit with you for however long you want it to. Then when you’re ready, let it go. Peaks and valleys….valleys and peaks. ©️mommy.snippets #parkinsons #valleysandpeaks #yopd #letsfindacure

Valleys and Peaks

It suddenly hits you, catches you unaware. The realisation that you are living with an incurable degenerative neurological condition. When you’re shopping, cooking, watching television, speaking to a friend, doing homework with the kid(s) and so on. Fighting this battle every day and night is tiring. Being brave is exhausting. Your mind and body can take only so much at once. There are peaks and then there are valleys. It is okay to lie low in the valleys when you need to. It is okay to wonder Why Me? It is okay to feel all the big feelings and react the way you want to because you didn’t ask to fight this battle. To fight it for your entire lifetime. So when it hits you, let it. Acknowledge it. Let it sit with you for however long you want it to. Then when you’re ready, let it go. Peaks and valleys….valleys and peaks.

©️mommy.snippets

#parkinsons #valleysandpeaks #yopd #letsfindacure

Nov 08, 2023 7:11:51 pm

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What Is War? Dear Little R “What is War?” you asked your father and me innocently the other day. We were rather taken aback and looked at each other. I began trying to explain to you, but your father immediately interrupted me and changed the topic. “He is far too young for this kind of conversation”. He explained later. At that moment it hit me hard. I was trying to avoid and deny the realities of the ongoing war. Children of your age and even those younger than you are the victims, innocent victims of a mindless society. And here we are trying to protect you as much as we can from this harsh reality. So I want to try and explain to you a six-year-old – what is war? Remember when you and your little brother wanted the same toy? You fought and fought. Over cries of “ it’s mine, it’s mine”, tears were shed, wild proclamations were made. “I will never play with you ever again”, “I don’t want you here” and so on. My pleas to please share and take turns fell on deaf ears. Now, imagine 2 countries fighting for the same toy and as they fight a lot of other people around them also get hurt. They continue fighting for days on end. Oh my darling war is a terrible thing as it makes everyone feel very sad. I want to tell you so much more but my need to protect your innocence takes over. So I will leave it at that. ©️mommy.snippets #war #whatiswar #explainingwar #sadrealityoflife #conversationsthatmatter

What Is War?

Dear Little R

“What is War?” you asked your father and me innocently the other day. We were rather taken aback and looked at each other. I began trying to explain to you, but your father immediately interrupted me and changed the topic. “He is far too young for this kind of conversation”. He explained later. At that moment it hit me hard. I was trying to avoid and deny the realities of the ongoing war. Children of your age and even those younger than you are the victims, innocent victims of a mindless society. And here we are trying to protect you as much as we can from this harsh reality. So I want to try and explain to you a six-year-old – what is war?

Remember when you and your little brother wanted the same toy? You fought and fought. Over cries of “ it’s mine, it’s mine”, tears were shed, wild proclamations were made. “I will never play with you ever again”, “I don’t want you here” and so on. My pleas to please share and take turns fell on deaf ears.

Now, imagine 2 countries fighting for the same toy and as they fight a lot of other people around them also get hurt. They continue fighting for days on end. Oh my darling war is a terrible thing as it makes everyone feel very sad.

I want to tell you so much more but my need to protect your innocence takes over. So I will leave it at that.

©️mommy.snippets

#war #whatiswar #explainingwar #sadrealityoflife #conversationsthatmatter

Nov 03, 2023 12:43:28 pm

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📚 Second Hand Books 📚 There’s something charming about second hand books. It tells you a story about its previous readers, and gives you a glimpse into a moment of their life. Pages stained with brown makes me wonder if the reader was eating chocolate when reading. Why did the reader underline a particular sentence? What did it mean to them? And what about the little doodles along the margins? Dog eared pages prod me to think about what urgent task the reader had to attend to, making them fold the page instead of using a bookmark. Or was the reader just lazy to not use one? If you’re lucky you will find pressed flowers within these precious pages – a sign of a budding romance perhaps or just a romantic reader at heart? Sometimes you may come across bookmarks and if ever, you may chance upon cards with handwritten messages used as bookmarks by the reader. These are truly heartwarming. In today’s age of e-readers, second hand books are slowly losing their presence but for an old soul like me, they will always be sought after. ©️mommy.snippets #SecondhandBooks, #SecondhandBookshop #Secondhand #oldsoul #BookLover

📚 Second Hand Books 📚

There’s something charming about second hand books. It tells you a story about its previous readers, and gives you a glimpse into a moment of their life.

Pages stained with brown makes me wonder if the reader was eating chocolate when reading. Why did the reader underline a particular sentence? What did it mean to them? And what about the little doodles along the margins? Dog eared pages prod me to think about what urgent task the reader had to attend to, making them fold the page instead of using a bookmark. Or was the reader just lazy to not use one?

If you’re lucky you will find pressed flowers within these precious pages – a sign of a budding romance perhaps or just a romantic reader at heart? Sometimes you may come across bookmarks and if ever, you may chance upon cards with handwritten messages used as bookmarks by the reader. These are truly heartwarming.

In today’s age of e-readers, second hand books are slowly losing their presence but for an old soul like me, they will always be sought after.

©️mommy.snippets

#SecondhandBooks, #SecondhandBookshop #Secondhand #oldsoul #BookLover

Oct 31, 2023 10:11:27 am

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Updated Oct 24, 2023 5:44:26 pm

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Updated Oct 24, 2023 5:44:26 pm

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Updated Oct 24, 2023 5:44:26 pm

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Updated Oct 24, 2023 5:44:25 pm

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Updated Oct 24, 2023 5:44:26 pm

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Updated Oct 24, 2023 5:44:25 pm

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Updated Oct 24, 2023 4:06:46 pm

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Updated Oct 24, 2023 4:06:45 pm

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DAY 9 PEACOCK BLUE & 🎇 VIJAYADASHMI 🎇 Practicing maths was one of my least favourite things to do as a child. I’m still not a great fan of it. I remember getting a number of the calculations wrong at my mother‘s utter dismay! What used to calm me down during that nervous time was the sound of her glass bangles as she erased out the mistakes that I had made. The glass bangles would be various shades of green most often parrot green and peacock blue. I would love to listen to this sound and even today it reminds me of my mother. Sometimes I would erase the mistakes out very slowly and she would impatiently take the eraser from me as I would get lost in the sound. She would be explaining the correct way of solving the maths question but I clearly wasn’t paying attention! This brings me to my final post about day ten – Vijayadashami- the celebration of good over evil. Carl Jung, one of the fathers of Psyhology if you like, said that people are essentially good. What is bad then is behaviour. As children we are socialised to become good girls and good boys. When reprimanding a child we invariably say “You are a bad girl/ naughty boy” which can be quite hard for a child to process. It is important to differentiate the person from the behaviour. So what can you say instead? Try saying “What you did wasn’t nice or What you did was naughty” So “What you did was naughty” v/s “You are naughty”. See the difference? Good always wins over evil , yes and no one is born evil. So, let’s give people some grace and an opportunity to change their ways for the better. On that note, wish you a very happy Dassara! ©️mommy.snippets #navratri2023 #vijayadashami #GoodOverEvil #carljung #peacockblue #memories #glassbangles #behaviour #behaviouralpsychology #givegrace #gratitude

DAY 9 PEACOCK BLUE &

🎇 VIJAYADASHMI 🎇

Practicing maths was one of my least favourite things to do as a child. I’m still not a great fan of it. I remember getting a number of the calculations wrong at my mother‘s utter dismay! What used to calm me down during that nervous time was the sound of her glass bangles as she erased out the mistakes that I had made.

The glass bangles would be various shades of green most often parrot green and peacock blue. I would love to listen to this sound and even today it reminds me of my mother. Sometimes I would erase the mistakes out very slowly and she would impatiently take the eraser from me as I would get lost in the sound. She would be explaining the correct way of solving the maths question but I clearly wasn’t paying attention!

This brings me to my final post about day ten – Vijayadashami- the celebration of good over evil. Carl Jung, one of the fathers of Psyhology if you like, said that people are essentially good. What is bad then is behaviour. As children we are socialised to become good girls and good boys. When reprimanding a child we invariably say “You are a bad girl/ naughty boy” which can be quite hard for a child to process. It is important to differentiate the person from the behaviour. So what can you say instead? Try saying “What you did wasn’t nice or What you did was naughty” So “What you did was naughty” v/s “You are naughty”. See the difference?

Good always wins over evil , yes and no one is born evil. So, let’s give people some grace and an opportunity to change their ways for the better.

On that note, wish you a very happy Dassara!

©️mommy.snippets

#navratri2023 #vijayadashami #GoodOverEvil #carljung #peacockblue #memories #glassbangles #behaviour #behaviouralpsychology #givegrace #gratitude

Oct 24, 2023 9:55:16 am

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DAY 8 – PURPLE Visiting the local market for fresh vegetables and fruits was (still is) one of my favourite things to do with my mum. The stop at the fruitwala was especially a treat for my senses. I have always been fascinated by how the fruit vendors would display the fruits, especially smaller ones like jamuns on their carts. The jamuns would resemble a pyramid layered meticulously. A magnificent jamun tree stood formidably just outside our building in Mumbai. The road outside our building would be covered with over ripe jamuns falling off the tree, staining the road a deep purple. As children my friends and I would try and salvage the jamuns that were still edible. After we had eaten them, our tongues would be purple in colour. “I am Kali”, we would proclaim, trying to imitate the most fierce feminine form of Goddess Durga. It feels rather serendipitous to remember this during Navratri. Life seems to have come full circle in a way, doesn’t it? ©️mommy.snippets Pic manasa_art #navratri2023 #purple #day8 #jamun #blackplum #kali #localmarket #fruitandveg #fruitwala #memories #gratitude

DAY 8 – PURPLE

Visiting the local market for fresh vegetables and fruits was (still is) one of my favourite things to do with my mum. The stop at the fruitwala was especially a treat for my senses. I have always been fascinated by how the fruit vendors would display the fruits, especially smaller ones like jamuns on their carts. The jamuns would resemble a pyramid layered meticulously.

A magnificent jamun tree stood formidably just outside our building in Mumbai. The road outside our building would be covered with over ripe jamuns falling off the tree, staining the road a deep purple. As children my friends and I would try and salvage the jamuns that were still edible. After we had eaten them, our tongues would be purple in colour.

“I am Kali”, we would proclaim, trying to imitate the most fierce feminine form of Goddess Durga.
It feels rather serendipitous to remember this during Navratri. Life seems to have come full circle in a way, doesn’t it?

©️mommy.snippets

Pic manasa_art

#navratri2023 #purple #day8 #jamun #blackplum #kali #localmarket #fruitandveg #fruitwala #memories #gratitude

Oct 22, 2023 11:24:02 am

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DAY 7 – GREY An overcast sky, dark grey clouds gathering as if they were an angry mob threatening to explode. The colour grey instantly brings to mind Mumbai’s monsoon. June swept in heavy rain, drenching our body and soul in equal measure. Parched Mumbai breathed a sigh of relief , an invitation for us to escape to a nearby hill station. So we’d pile into our cars, cousins and all, driving towards a day of adventure , seeking cooler temperatures of course. En route we’d stop for sizzling vada pav and crispy bhajiya , washed down with hot chai carefully carried in a thermos. We’d then continue our journey, mesmerised by the greenery slowly making its presence felt. A welcome change from our urban jungle. Jumping out from our car at the final destination, we’d be ecstatic. Exploring the area even before entering our hillside hotel. Stepping aside petrol puddles, hunting for bugs as we paused on our path. Then with dirty soles and muddy hands, we’d make our way indoors, with ravenous tummies and joyous hearts. ©️mommy.snippets #navratri2023 #preciousmemories #mumbai #monsoon #Grey #weekendgateaway #throwbackpic #gratefulheart

DAY 7 – GREY

An overcast sky, dark grey clouds gathering as if they were an angry mob threatening to explode. The colour grey instantly brings to mind Mumbai’s monsoon.

June swept in heavy rain, drenching our body and soul in equal measure. Parched Mumbai breathed a sigh of relief , an invitation for us to escape to a nearby hill station. So we’d pile into our cars, cousins and all, driving towards a day of adventure , seeking cooler temperatures of course.

En route we’d stop for sizzling vada pav and crispy bhajiya , washed down with hot chai carefully carried in a thermos. We’d then continue our journey, mesmerised by the greenery slowly making its presence felt. A welcome change from our urban jungle.

Jumping out from our car at the final destination, we’d be ecstatic. Exploring the area even before entering our hillside hotel. Stepping aside petrol puddles, hunting for bugs as we paused on our path. Then with dirty soles and muddy hands, we’d make our way indoors, with ravenous tummies and joyous hearts.

©️mommy.snippets

#navratri2023 #preciousmemories #mumbai #monsoon #Grey #weekendgateaway #throwbackpic #gratefulheart

Oct 21, 2023 9:34:19 am

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DAY 6 – GREEN I have been immensely blessed to have known and lived with my great grandmother who I called Panjama. She was a strong independent woman who lived on her own until her early 90s. It is only when her failing eyesight made it difficult for her to function independently that she moved to live with us. The image that I have of her in my mind is of her dressed in a green saree. She also wore a nose ring and I remember being enamoured by it when I was really little. Perhaps the seeds of my love for jewellery were sowed way back then. Panjama would fast every Monday and would only have dinner when she broke her fast. As part of this meal, my grandmother would serve her Sabudana kheeri which I called Balls kheeri. I would look forward to dinner every Monday because I knew that I would get a share of this kheeri. I remember sitting next to her at the dining table and relishing every spoon of this sweet milk pudding. This year during the Ganapati festival I made Balls kheeri and just one spoonful of this sweet milky concoction brought back memories sweeter than the taste in my mouth. ©️mommy.snippets #navratri2023 #green #preciousmemories #greatgrandma #sabudana #kheer #gratefulheart

DAY 6 – GREEN

I have been immensely blessed to have known and lived with my great grandmother who I called Panjama. She was a strong independent woman who lived on her own until her early 90s. It is only when her failing eyesight made it difficult for her to function independently that she moved to live with us. The image that I have of her in my mind is of her dressed in a green saree. She also wore a nose ring and I remember being enamoured by it when I was really little. Perhaps the seeds of my love for jewellery were sowed way back then.

Panjama would fast every Monday and would only have dinner when she broke her fast. As part of this meal, my grandmother would serve her Sabudana kheeri which I called Balls kheeri. I would look forward to dinner every Monday because I knew that I would get a share of this kheeri. I remember sitting next to her at the dining table and relishing every spoon of this sweet milk pudding. This year during the Ganapati festival I made Balls kheeri and just one spoonful of this sweet milky concoction brought back memories sweeter than the taste in my mouth.

©️mommy.snippets

#navratri2023 #green #preciousmemories #greatgrandma #sabudana #kheer #gratefulheart

Oct 20, 2023 11:42:43 am

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DAY 5 – YELLOW The colour yellow instantly, reminds me of my comfort food Varan Sheet (Dal Rice). Varan Sheet eaten from a stainless steel plate is soul food for me. Here are two poems capturing both. *Dal and Rice* A mound of rice Splashed with a ladleful of dal Mixed to perfection, devoured with your hands Every mouthful oozes comfort Warm and soft The dal and rice seeping through to your soul An infant’s first food The elderly’s last meal Life comes full circle Peace *Stainless Steel Plate* You turn six months today, supposedly ready for solid food So I bring out the steel plate which was once mine all those years ago Its three compartments always held food to nourish my core Rice, dal and a vegetable Sometimes fritters as a special treat I was taught to eat with my hand but today I hand you a spoon You seem amused with this ritual and begin hitting the plate Clang clang clang You then test the rice on the plate by moving it around The spoon fails to do your bidding So you fling it away and use your hand to lift the rice and bring it to your mouth In that moment I feel so grateful for this beautiful connection And I sigh as history slowly repeats itself ©️mommy.snippets #navratri2023 #yellow #preciousmemories #dal #dalrice #stainlesssteel #gratefulheart Pic – Mad tea party

DAY 5 – YELLOW

The colour yellow instantly, reminds me of my comfort food Varan Sheet (Dal Rice). Varan Sheet eaten from a stainless steel plate is soul food for me. Here are two poems capturing both.

*Dal and Rice*

A mound of rice
Splashed with a ladleful of dal
Mixed to perfection, devoured with your hands

Every mouthful oozes comfort
Warm and soft
The dal and rice seeping through to your soul

An infant’s first food
The elderly’s last meal
Life comes full circle
Peace

*Stainless Steel Plate*

You turn six months today, supposedly ready for solid food
So I bring out the steel plate which was once mine all those years ago
Its three compartments always held food to nourish my core
Rice, dal and a vegetable
Sometimes fritters as a special treat

I was taught to eat with my hand but today I hand you a spoon
You seem amused with this ritual and begin hitting the plate
Clang clang clang
You then test the rice on the plate by moving it around
The spoon fails to do your bidding
So you fling it away and use your hand to lift the rice and bring it to your mouth
In that moment I feel so grateful for this beautiful connection
And I sigh as history slowly repeats itself

©️mommy.snippets

#navratri2023 #yellow #preciousmemories #dal #dalrice #stainlesssteel #gratefulheart

Pic – Mad tea party

Oct 19, 2023 10:06:38 am

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DAY 4 – ROYAL BLUE My first ink pen, a dark green coloured ‘China Pen’ with a golden cap. The feel of the nib gliding smoothly across my notebook. Word after word, line after line. The royal blue ink brings my thoughts to life. This is the first time that I am writing with an ink pen and I am entirely mesmerised. I feel so grown up- no erasers here, you have to write very carefully, paying attention to spelling in particular. I can’t stop writing, the white sheet of paper slowly turning blue. I only stop when my pen runs out of ink. I ask my Mum to help me refill the ink from a glass bottle named ‘Camel’ ink. Mum expertly uses a pippet to draw out the ink into the pen and hands it back to me. I continue writing. Years roll by, the ink pen is slowly replaced by gel pens and finally ball point pens. I own a number of pens, an assortment of brands. Using an ink pen is considered to be too old fashioned in high school these days but I secretly love it. It has a special purpose now, to translate my most private thoughts onto paper. ©️mommy.snippets #navaratri2023 #royalblue #ink #blueink #inkpen #chinapen #childhood #preciousmemories #stationerylove Pic credit @[100064600124527:2048:Flipkart]

DAY 4 – ROYAL BLUE

My first ink pen, a dark green coloured ‘China Pen’ with a golden cap. The feel of the nib gliding smoothly across my notebook. Word after word, line after line. The royal blue ink brings my thoughts to life.

This is the first time that I am writing with an ink pen and I am entirely mesmerised. I feel so grown up- no erasers here, you have to write very carefully, paying attention to spelling in particular. I can’t stop writing, the white sheet of paper slowly turning blue. I only stop when my pen runs out of ink. I ask my Mum to help me refill the ink from a glass bottle named ‘Camel’ ink. Mum expertly uses a pippet to draw out the ink into the pen and hands it back to me. I continue writing.

Years roll by, the ink pen is slowly replaced by gel pens and finally ball point pens. I own a number of pens, an assortment of brands. Using an ink pen is considered to be too old fashioned in high school these days but I secretly love it. It has a special purpose now, to translate my most private thoughts onto paper.

©️mommy.snippets

#navaratri2023 #royalblue #ink #blueink #inkpen #chinapen #childhood #preciousmemories #stationerylove

Pic credit Flipkart

Oct 18, 2023 10:28:54 am

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DAY 3 – RED “You are in the….. Red house!” my Mum announced excitedly on my first day of secondary school. “Are you sure mummy?” I asked her tentatively as I knew that two of my best friends were in the green house and I was in no mood to be the odd one out. “Yes dear, you are in the red house and see what it stands for” my mum persevered in her effort to cheer me up. “It stands for ‘zeal’” she said. “What does that even mean?” I asked her sullenly. It means ‘enthusiasm’ my mum explained, “Something which you are clearly lacking in at the moment” she added with a chuckle. “I won’t even have a different coloured tie, just the same old boring one we all wore in primary school”. I muttered under my breath. Thinking about this now makes me smile at how naïve I was! Being assigned to a house colour was my very first lesson in belonging to a bigger entity and reinforced in me a sense of loyalty towards it. Oh how can I forget the significance of houses during sports day!. It didn’t matter if you were in year 1 or 10 – you were all part of one house and you worked hard to finish first. One year in particular is seared in my memory. My house was in second place for three consecutive years, so that one year when we got to the first place was full of jubilation and excitement. We sure did live up to what our house symbolised – ZEAL indeed! It’s funny how this memory was the first thing that came to mind when I thought about the colour red. Goes to show what a massive impact schools have on a child’s life. (Choose wisely!) ©️mommy.snippets #navaratri2023 #red #childhood #schoollife #schoolmemories #sportsday #schoolhouse #redhouse

DAY 3 – RED

“You are in the….. Red house!” my Mum announced excitedly on my first day of secondary school. “Are you sure mummy?” I asked her tentatively as I knew that two of my best friends were in the green house and I was in no mood to be the odd one out. “Yes dear, you are in the red house and see what it stands for” my mum persevered in her effort to cheer me up. “It stands for ‘zeal’” she said. “What does that even mean?” I asked her sullenly. It means ‘enthusiasm’ my mum explained, “Something which you are clearly lacking in at the moment” she added with a chuckle. “I won’t even have a different coloured tie, just the same old boring one we all wore in primary school”. I muttered under my breath.

Thinking about this now makes me smile at how naïve I was! Being assigned to a house colour was my very first lesson in belonging to a bigger entity and reinforced in me a sense of loyalty towards it. Oh how can I forget the significance of houses during sports day!. It didn’t matter if you were in year 1 or 10 – you were all part of one house and you worked hard to finish first.

One year in particular is seared in my memory. My house was in second place for three consecutive years, so that one year when we got to the first place was full of jubilation and excitement. We sure did live up to what our house symbolised – ZEAL indeed! It’s funny how this memory was the first thing that came to mind when I thought about the colour red. Goes to show what a massive impact schools have on a child’s life. (Choose wisely!)

©️mommy.snippets

#navaratri2023 #red #childhood #schoollife #schoolmemories #sportsday #schoolhouse #redhouse

Oct 17, 2023 11:43:00 am

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DAY 2 – WHITE An old man dressed in crisp white cotton, pyjamas and a white cotton vest. He always appears to be calm and collected with a smile on his face. This man, my grandad, who I called Ajju. A man of few words,an epitome of hard work and sincerity, a man who never demanded, yet easily garnered the respect of every person that had the privilege of knowing him. The white pyjamas were made to order at the local tailors and were strictly checked for snags by my grandma’s discerning eye. Ajju did everything from gardening to napping to going to the neighbourhood shops in a pair of those white pyjamas. I remember asking him one day “Oh Ajju why don’t you ever wear pants?”. He smiled and said “Chelda (my child)”, it doesn’t matter what you wear, what matters is what you do and how you do it”. It didn’t make a lot of sense to me back then but now it is what carries me through some hard days. ©️mommy.snippets #WhiteCotton #navaratri2023 #Day2 #white #Grandfather #Grandad #Pyjamas #WhiteCottonPyjamas #Childhood #ChildhoodMemories #Gratitude

DAY 2 – WHITE

An old man dressed in crisp white cotton, pyjamas and a white cotton vest. He always appears to be calm and collected with a smile on his face. This man, my grandad, who I called Ajju. A man of few words,an epitome of hard work and sincerity, a man who never demanded, yet easily garnered the respect of every person that had the privilege of knowing him.

The white pyjamas were made to order at the local tailors and were strictly checked for snags by my grandma’s discerning eye. Ajju did everything from gardening to napping to going to the neighbourhood shops in a pair of those white pyjamas. I remember asking him one day “Oh Ajju why don’t you ever wear pants?”. He smiled and said “Chelda (my child)”, it doesn’t matter what you wear, what matters is what you do and how you do it”. It didn’t make a lot of sense to me back then but now it is what carries me through some hard days.

©️mommy.snippets

#WhiteCotton #navaratri2023 #Day2 #white #Grandfather #Grandad #Pyjamas #WhiteCottonPyjamas #Childhood #ChildhoodMemories #Gratitude

Oct 16, 2023 10:13:41 am

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Navratri begins today with each of the 9 days being celebrated with a specific colour. During this period I am doing a short series of notes wherein I will share with you the colour and the memories it conjures for me. So here goes… DAY 1 – ORANGE The gorgeous orange Gulmohar trees flank both sides of the pathway that leads up to my Ammamma’s house in Bangalore .The path is carpeted with the petals of the Gulmohar flowers, and every time I walk upon it I feel like a princess. Ammamma’s pampering adds to this feeling of being so loved. It is the month of May, the peak of an Indian summer in the mid 90s. I distinctly remember playing with the gulmohar flowers in my play kitchen , making “food” out of their petals, their fiery orange colour mimicking the colour of the setting sun. Ammama very kindly plays along with me as she feeds me freshly made savoury snacks all homemade by her. Chakli, namakpara, chivda…the flavours still rife upon my tongue. “So did you like the food I made, Ammamma?” I ask her eagerly. “Vhaee maa gonnu (yes my little darling), you make the best food” comes her affectionate reply, making my 5 year old heart soar with happiness. ©️mommy.snippets Pic – Shreya Roy #navratri2023 #day1 #orange #gulmohar #childhoodmemories

Navratri begins today with each of the 9 days being celebrated with a specific colour. During this period I am doing a short series of notes wherein I will share with you the colour and the memories it conjures for me.

So here goes…

DAY 1 – ORANGE

The gorgeous orange Gulmohar trees flank both sides of the pathway that leads up to my Ammamma’s house in Bangalore .The path is carpeted with the petals of the Gulmohar flowers, and every time I walk upon it I feel like a princess. Ammamma’s pampering adds to this feeling of being so loved.

It is the month of May, the peak of an Indian summer in the mid 90s. I distinctly remember playing with the gulmohar flowers in my play kitchen , making “food” out of their petals, their fiery orange colour mimicking the colour of the setting sun.

Ammama very kindly plays along with me as she feeds me freshly made savoury snacks all homemade by her. Chakli, namakpara, chivda…the flavours still rife upon my tongue. “So did you like the food I made, Ammamma?” I ask her eagerly. “Vhaee maa gonnu (yes my little darling), you make the best food” comes her affectionate reply, making my 5 year old heart soar with happiness.

©️mommy.snippets

Pic – Shreya Roy

#navratri2023 #day1 #orange #gulmohar #childhoodmemories

Oct 15, 2023 4:42:57 pm

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I walked into the old apartment after almost a decade. It felt surreal as if it was all a dream. The mosaic tiled floor, those faded walls, the window grills entwined with wild creepers, the dusty cabinet that held more than just things. I cautiously opened it and my eyes immediately fell upon a handmade sweater knitted lovingly for me by Ajji. I took it off the hanger and held it close. The builders would soon be demolishing this home of my childhood. But the memories? They could come nowhere close to demolishing those. ©️mommy.snippets #childhoodhome #memories #redevelopment

I walked into the old apartment after almost a decade. It felt surreal as if it was all a dream. The mosaic tiled floor, those faded walls, the window grills entwined with wild creepers, the dusty cabinet that held more than just things. I cautiously opened it and my eyes immediately fell upon a handmade sweater knitted lovingly for me by Ajji. I took it off the hanger and held it close. The builders would soon be demolishing this home of my childhood. But the memories? They could come nowhere close to demolishing those.

©️mommy.snippets

#childhoodhome #memories #redevelopment

Oct 12, 2023 9:58:51 am

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In honour of World Mental Health Day & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Awareness Month, I have written a poem – an attempt to capture both causes.

#WorldMentalHealthDay #ocdawareness

Pic credit : Patrick Smith

Oct 10, 2023 2:16:30 pm

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Today, on national poetry day and in keeping with its theme of’Refuge’ I want to share my gratitude for a beautiful childhood – enriched, especially with a secret language, our mother tongue Konkani. Dear Language Of My Childhood They flippantly call you “ Indian” The remaining 269 of your tribe seem blatantly invisible to their myopic mind Inwardly I cringe trying to hide your stubborn identity from my tongue I don’t correct them Like I should Mutely nodding Smiling along Converging with their pool of ignorance Here’s what I should have said Nevermind I will say it now That You my dearest have a charm of your own Your syllables speaking in gentle rhythm Your vowels and consonants so malleable Your tone so melodious Your existence so precious that I’m proud to call you mine I grew up learning your ways Taking your presence for granted Even trying hard to silence you Always pleasing my coloniser’s tongue And Today I realise your worth A secret language of my childhood A language in which I always sought refuge My mind always travelled the world But returned home to you #dearmothertongue #gratitude #NationalPoetryDay #childhood P.S. Now hiding from my brothers for sharing this photo 🤣

Today, on national poetry day and in keeping with its theme of’Refuge’ I want to share my gratitude for a beautiful childhood – enriched, especially with a secret language, our mother tongue Konkani.

Dear Language Of My Childhood

They flippantly call you “ Indian”
The remaining 269 of your tribe seem blatantly invisible to their myopic mind
Inwardly I cringe trying to hide your stubborn identity from my tongue
I don’t correct them
Like I should
Mutely nodding
Smiling along
Converging with their pool of ignorance

Here’s what I should have said
Nevermind
I will say it now

That

You my dearest have a charm of your own
Your syllables speaking in gentle rhythm
Your vowels and consonants so malleable
Your tone so melodious
Your existence so precious that
I’m proud to call you mine

I grew up learning your ways
Taking your presence for granted
Even trying hard to silence you
Always pleasing my coloniser’s tongue

And Today

I realise your worth
A secret language of my childhood
A language in which I always sought refuge
My mind always travelled the world
But returned home to you

#dearmothertongue #gratitude #NationalPoetryDay #childhood

P.S. Now hiding from my brothers for sharing this photo 🤣

Oct 05, 2023 6:47:42 pm

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Thanks but, NO THANKS! (This ain’t a pity post) “Great job with your first one”, I was told with a smirk as I tried to pacify my youngest who was waling in my arms. At that moment, I did not know what to make of the statement. It just made me feel terrible. That’s all I remember – how it made me feel. At the time, I was at a very vulnerable stage of life where I was trying to get used to mothering two very young children having only recently found out about a life altering medical diagnosis. The statement was made by a family friend, who might I add does not have children of her own. This conversation took place two years ago but it has remained with me. So today when I feel more in control of my life, I want to say a couple of things. What was the point of the statement that was made? Was it to compliment me in some way? If so it was a completely unnecessary backhanded compliment. By saying that I was doing a good job with my first one, was it implied that I was doing a shit job with my youngest? I was visibly struggling to calm down a struggling baby and that moment was chosen to dole out this observation or shall we call it by its real name – judgement. Yeah so the point of this post is just to say as mothers we are always feeling vulnerable because you know what – we want to do the best for our kids, every single time. And many times we are just winging it. We are second guessing ourselves and our decisions, we are constantly judging ourselves – so no, we don’t need more of it. We are already wondering whether we are doing a crap job so if you want to say something, say something kind or just don’t say anything. Thanks very much! mommy.snippets #motherhood #backhandedcompliment #bekindalways #bekind

Thanks but, NO THANKS!

(This ain’t a pity post)

“Great job with your first one”, I was told with a smirk as I tried to pacify my youngest who was waling in my arms. At that moment, I did not know what to make of the statement. It just made me feel terrible. That’s all I remember – how it made me feel.

At the time, I was at a very vulnerable stage of life where I was trying to get used to mothering two very young children having only recently found out about a life altering medical diagnosis. The statement was made by a family friend, who might I add does not have children of her own. This conversation took place two years ago but it has remained with me.

So today when I feel more in control of my life, I want to say a couple of things. What was the point of the statement that was made? Was it to compliment me in some way? If so it was a completely unnecessary backhanded compliment. By saying that I was doing a good job with my first one, was it implied that I was doing a shit job with my youngest? I was visibly struggling to calm down a struggling baby and that moment was chosen to dole out this observation or shall we call it by its real name – judgement.

Yeah so the point of this post is just to say as mothers we are always feeling vulnerable because you know what – we want to do the best for our kids, every single time. And many times we are just winging it. We are second guessing ourselves and our decisions, we are constantly judging ourselves – so no, we don’t need more of it. We are already wondering whether we are doing a crap job so if you want to say something, say something kind or just don’t say anything. Thanks very much!

mommy.snippets

#motherhood #backhandedcompliment #bekindalways #bekind

Sep 30, 2023 9:11:00 am

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I’m delighted to share with you that my micro poem Snowglobe was published in Pull an anthology by Moonlove Press 😇

#gratitude #micropoetry #micropoem

Sep 26, 2023 9:02:22 am

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Ganesha Aarti I have been trying to put into words the experience of being present at the Ganesha Arti and everytime I sit to write I am overcome with emotion as the memories come rolling in. To express it in a single sentence – It is a very vivid sensory journey. I will try my best to give you a glimpse into it. At first, a cacophony of sounds begins to engulf you. Clapping, singing, musical instruments all amidst the arti being played via the music speaker. You stand fixated, your bare feet on the ground, surrounded by your closest family and friends. You are taking in the divine sight of Lord Ganesha who is adorned in a variety of colourful, fragrant flowers. The red hibiscus, however, stands out beautifully near His crown. The flames of the arti shine golden bright as they create concentric circles in front of the Lord’s idol. You smell the fragrance of jasmine, incense sticks, and the peculiar smell of ghee dipped wicks alight with the holy fire. The feel of raw rice (akshat), loose leaves and flower petals against your palms as the prayers continue is reassuring to say the least. As the arti comes to a dramatic close with the atmosphere buzzing with an electric energy, you begin to taste the teertam that is threatening to escape your palm followed by prasad that is usually sweet. I remember distinctly biting into a crunchy modak and being entirely mesmerised by the burst of flavours in my mouth – coconut, jaggery, cardamom, ghee, almonds, saffron… What makes this experience memorable every single time is not the decor, not the size of the Ganesha idol, not the type of prasad, not the quality of food but the sense of togetherness that the aarti creates, the feeling of humility it conjures and the realisation that we all have battles some which are openly fought and others which are fought in quiet silence. ©️mommy.snippets #ganeshchaturthi #ganesharti #divine #blessed

Ganesha Aarti

I have been trying to put into words the experience of being present at the Ganesha Arti and everytime I sit to write I am overcome with emotion as the memories come rolling in. To express it in a single sentence – It is a very vivid sensory journey. I will try my best to give you a glimpse into it. At first, a cacophony of sounds begins to engulf you. Clapping, singing, musical instruments all amidst the arti being played via the music speaker.

You stand fixated, your bare feet on the ground, surrounded by your closest family and friends. You are taking in the divine sight of Lord Ganesha who is adorned in a variety of colourful, fragrant flowers. The red hibiscus, however, stands out beautifully near His crown. The flames of the arti shine golden bright as they create concentric circles in front of the Lord’s idol.

You smell the fragrance of jasmine, incense sticks, and the peculiar smell of ghee dipped wicks alight with the holy fire. The feel of raw rice (akshat), loose leaves and flower petals against your palms as the prayers continue is reassuring to say the least.

As the arti comes to a dramatic close with the atmosphere buzzing with an electric energy, you begin to taste the teertam that is threatening to escape your palm followed by prasad that is usually sweet. I remember distinctly biting into a crunchy modak and being entirely mesmerised by the burst of flavours in my mouth – coconut, jaggery, cardamom, ghee, almonds, saffron…

What makes this experience memorable every single time is not the decor, not the size of the Ganesha idol, not the type of prasad, not the quality of food but the sense of togetherness that the aarti creates, the feeling of humility it conjures and the realisation that we all have battles some which are openly fought and others which are fought in quiet silence.

©️mommy.snippets

#ganeshchaturthi #ganesharti #divine #blessed

Sep 20, 2023 6:44:26 pm

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Transition The heat wave seems to have abated, and with it summer is slowly waving us goodbye. Autumn is taking ginger steps , a little uncertain about making her presence felt. Shorter days, that slight chill in the air, green leaves, transforming into goldens, reds and browns. We are back to school routine and battling viral bugs. I always tend to associate certain phases of life with food and this time round, it is a freshly toasted slice of bread layered with the most luscious strawberry preserve. It is the only thing that is holding us up at the moment. We crave this delightful plate of goodness sometimes even three times a day. Our taste buds are refusing to do our bidding much like a stubborn toddler throwing a tantrum. We are in a period of transition into new situations, places and seasons of course. It is in times like this that we want to hold onto something familiar, something comforting. Personally, more often than not that something invariably ends up being food. What helps you during times of transition? Please do share, I would love to know. ©️mommy.snippets #transition #jamtoast #comfortfood

Transition

The heat wave seems to have abated, and with it summer is slowly waving us goodbye. Autumn is taking ginger steps , a little uncertain about making her presence felt. Shorter days, that slight chill in the air, green leaves, transforming into goldens, reds and browns.

We are back to school routine and battling viral bugs. I always tend to associate certain phases of life with food and this time round, it is a freshly toasted slice of bread layered with the most luscious strawberry preserve. It is the only thing that is holding us up at the moment. We crave this delightful plate of goodness sometimes even three times a day. Our taste buds are refusing to do our bidding much like a stubborn toddler throwing a tantrum.

We are in a period of transition into new situations, places and seasons of course. It is in times like this that we want to hold onto something familiar, something comforting. Personally, more often than not that something invariably ends up being food.

What helps you during times of transition? Please do share, I would love to know.

©️mommy.snippets

#transition #jamtoast #comfortfood

Sep 13, 2023 4:06:27 pm

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Reacquaintance The house is eerily quiet. The silence is unnerving . Now that both boys have restarted school and Preschool respectively, after a long summer break, it is time for me to reacquaint myself with myself. I have forgotten my needs and wants in the past six weeks where invariably the needs of my children superseded mine. I make myself a big mug of coffee and drink it leisurely, having only my thoughts for company. I wonder how the boys are getting on. I’m sure they will be fine. I need to focus on myself during these precious few hours. I remind myself about the various chores that need completing and mentally tick off a few items from my to do list. I tell myself that the chores can wait and I need to use this time to look after myself. My mind automatically thinks about writing. I have a couple of writing projects that I need to get back to and I promise myself that I will do this without further delay. They say writing is a solitary vocation. I have a slightly different opinion. I believe writing can happen anywhere that you find inspiration and you need not be alone for this. What is solitary is editing because it requires immense concentration and an uninterrupted thought process. With this thought, I drain the rest of my coffee and reach out to my laptop to begin keeping up the promise I made to myself. #Reacquaintance #Motherhood #WritersLife #Writing #Self

Reacquaintance

The house is eerily quiet. The silence is unnerving . Now that both boys have restarted school and Preschool respectively, after a long summer break, it is time for me to reacquaint myself with myself. I have forgotten my needs and wants in the past six weeks where invariably the needs of my children superseded mine.

I make myself a big mug of coffee and drink it leisurely, having only my thoughts for company. I wonder how the boys are getting on. I’m sure they will be fine. I need to focus on myself during these precious few hours. I remind myself about the various chores that need completing and mentally tick off a few items from my to do list. I tell myself that the chores can wait and I need to use this time to look after myself.

My mind automatically thinks about writing. I have a couple of writing projects that I need to get back to and I promise myself that I will do this without further delay. They say writing is a solitary vocation. I have a slightly different opinion. I believe writing can happen anywhere that you find inspiration and you need not be alone for this. What is solitary is editing because it requires immense concentration and an uninterrupted thought process.

With this thought, I drain the rest of my coffee and reach out to my laptop to begin keeping up the promise I made to myself.

#Reacquaintance #Motherhood #WritersLife #Writing #Self

Sep 06, 2023 10:42:12 am

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Holding On School and Preschool begin the day after tomorrow. The summer holidays have just vanished. When they first began, I wondered how I would manage the both of you at home. And now I don’t want the holidays to end! Motherhood is funny like that. I have become used to this easy routine of playtime, reading, artwork and snack time. How could I forget snacks? I will miss the daytime card game of UNO and Snakes and Ladders. Most of all I will miss this state of comfortable chaos that fills our home with so much love. Today, I feel like indulging you both. So I plan pizza for lunch and a popsicle for dessert. The heat wave here in the UK is welcome of course. The morning has passed with you both playing in the garden and bug hunting. I see your sunkissed faces as you enter the kitchen through the patio door and plonk yourselves on the sofa. You appear to be full of energy, the morning activity pales in comparison to your spunk. “Would you both like to play on the tablet until lunch is ready?” I ask tentatively. Your eyes brighten up, you look at each other and then slowly look at me in disbelief. “Are you sure mummy?” you chorus. “It’s the first time you have given us the tablet without us asking” Little R you infer. I just smile in response, willing the summer holidays to magically extend its warm arms a little bit longer. mommy.snippets

Holding On

School and Preschool begin the day after tomorrow. The summer holidays have just vanished. When they first began, I wondered how I would manage the both of you at home. And now I don’t want the holidays to end! Motherhood is funny like that. I have become used to this easy routine of playtime, reading, artwork and snack time. How could I forget snacks? I will miss the daytime card game of UNO and Snakes and Ladders. Most of all I will miss this state of comfortable chaos that fills our home with so much love.

Today, I feel like indulging you both. So I plan pizza for lunch and a popsicle for dessert. The heat wave here in the UK is welcome of course. The morning has passed with you both playing in the garden and bug hunting. I see your sunkissed faces as you enter the kitchen through the patio door and plonk yourselves on the sofa. You appear to be full of energy, the morning activity pales in comparison to your spunk.

“Would you both like to play on the tablet until lunch is ready?” I ask tentatively. Your eyes brighten up, you look at each other and then slowly look at me in disbelief. “Are you sure mummy?” you chorus. “It’s the first time you have given us the tablet without us asking” Little R you infer. I just smile in response, willing the summer holidays to magically extend its warm arms a little bit longer.

mommy.snippets

Sep 04, 2023 1:19:23 pm

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Pappa & Me My father and I would often sit by the window in companionable silence, engrossed in books or music. Around us, the world was in a hurry to do something, to be somewhere, or to become someone. We were happily oblivious to this urban urgency, secure in our cocoon. Sometimes we would share a snack, and at other times, he would tell me a story of his beloved motorbike. This time and space with my father was precious beyond measure. Much like that window we sat beside, Lending new perspectives, a breath of fresh air. #august2023 #fathersanddaughters #pappa

Pappa & Me

My father and I would often sit by the window in companionable silence, engrossed in books or music.
Around us, the world was in a hurry to do something, to be somewhere, or to become someone.
We were happily oblivious to this urban urgency, secure in our cocoon.
Sometimes we would share a snack, and at other times, he would tell me a story of his beloved motorbike.
This time and space with my father was precious beyond measure.
Much like that window we sat beside,
Lending new perspectives, a breath of fresh air.

#august2023 #fathersanddaughters #pappa

Aug 01, 2023 8:53:21 am

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This is a long overdue post. I was honoured to write for my school newsletter last year. Being recognised by the very teachers who taught me how to read and write is an overwhelming feeling. #school #schoolmemories #newsletter

This is a long overdue post. I was honoured to write for my school newsletter last year. Being recognised by the very teachers who taught me how to read and write is an overwhelming feeling.

#school #schoolmemories #newsletter

Jul 31, 2023 2:01:37 pm

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My Barbie “Everybody has her!”. I cried out to my mother as we passed the window display of the toy shop.”No” was her simple answer. “Not now,” she added as an afterthought, filling my 7 year old self with hope. I continued to walk and looked over my shoulder staring at my soon to be Barbie until I lost sight of her. Growing up in a middle-class family in the 90s India meant that buying toys was restricted to birthdays and special occasions , such as festivals. Especially buying the expensive Barbie was considered a mindless extravagance. It was the month of December so that left me with a month to my birthday. I prayed that I would get this as my gift. Every day until my birthday, I dreamt about playing with my new Barbie, dressing her up , combing her blonde hair and introducing her to my other dolls, less glamorous, of course. My birthday arrived, and I rushed to open my beautifully wrapped present. My joy knew no bounds when I unwrapped the present to discover the same Barbie I had seen in the display window. She was just perfect. Just as I had imagined her to be. Long hair, blue eyes and a beautiful lacy dress fit for a princess. A couple of other Barbies followed her over the years. She however remained my firm favourite. After all,there is always something that tad bit special about firsts, no? ©️mommy.snippets #barbie #childhoodmemories #90snostalgia #MyBarbie

My Barbie

“Everybody has her!”. I cried out to my mother as we passed the window display of the toy shop.”No” was her simple answer. “Not now,” she added as an afterthought, filling my 7 year old self with hope. I continued to walk and looked over my shoulder staring at my soon to be Barbie until I lost sight of her.

Growing up in a middle-class family in the 90s India meant that buying toys was restricted to birthdays and special occasions , such as festivals. Especially buying the expensive Barbie was considered a mindless extravagance. It was the month of December so that left me with a month to my birthday. I prayed that I would get this as my gift. Every day until my birthday, I dreamt about playing with my new Barbie, dressing her up , combing her blonde hair and introducing her to my other dolls, less glamorous, of course.

My birthday arrived, and I rushed to open my beautifully wrapped present. My joy knew no bounds when I unwrapped the present to discover the same Barbie I had seen in the display window. She was just perfect. Just as I had imagined her to be. Long hair, blue eyes and a beautiful lacy dress fit for a princess.

A couple of other Barbies followed her over the years. She however remained my firm favourite. After all,there is always something that tad bit special about firsts, no?

©️mommy.snippets

#barbie #childhoodmemories #90snostalgia
#MyBarbie

Jul 24, 2023 9:38:33 am

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Dear Little R It’s that time of the year again, when I cannot believe just how quickly you are growing up. I have Google Photos to blame for this as it floods my screen with images of you as a newborn, infant, toddler and a little boy. As I look at these images , I long for those versions of you that also remind me of a time when I felt like everything was perfect in my life. How naïve of me. Today, when I see you, I cannot believe how lucky I am. Life has a funny way of demonstrating balance doesn’t it? You must know this – whenever I am having a tough day because of my symptoms I try to think about all of my blessings and it is you that first comes to my mind. Sometimes I wonder whether you’re actually just five years old. Your maturity and grace , along with your sensible and sensitive nature never fail to comfort me. You turn six in less than 10 days. With each birthday I can see a different version of myself. Some changes are noticeable, others, not so much. However when I look at your smile, it is the same smile that looked up at me on a bright summer morning six years ago, and it is this effervescent smile that keeps me going day after day. My only constant as everything around me slowly changes for better or worse. Love always Mummy #Almost6 #Motherhood #Blessings. #Gratitude

Dear Little R

It’s that time of the year again, when I cannot believe just how quickly you are growing up. I have Google Photos to blame for this as it floods my screen with images of you as a newborn, infant, toddler and a little boy. As I look at these images , I long for those versions of you that also remind me of a time when I felt like everything was perfect in my life. How naïve of me.

Today, when I see you, I cannot believe how lucky I am. Life has a funny way of demonstrating balance doesn’t it? You must know this – whenever I am having a tough day because of my symptoms I try to think about all of my blessings and it is you that first comes to my mind. Sometimes I wonder whether you’re actually just five years old. Your maturity and grace , along with your sensible and sensitive nature never fail to comfort me.

You turn six in less than 10 days. With each birthday I can see a different version of myself. Some changes are noticeable, others, not so much. However when I look at your smile, it is the same smile that looked up at me on a bright summer morning six years ago, and it is this effervescent smile that keeps me going day after day. My only constant as everything around me slowly changes for better or worse.

Love always

Mummy

#Almost6 #Motherhood #Blessings. #Gratitude

Jul 19, 2023 12:31:15 pm

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Amma’s Love

Today has been a slow day. A kind of wistfulness surrounds my being. I long for my mother’s company. I long to be a child once again. I stare outside the kitchen window and see clouds gathering in the sky. A young mother is taking her newborn for a stroll, her steps quickening, lest she and her baby are caught in the downpour. My longing for Amma tugs at my heart.

Whilst I am lost in my thoughts the kettle comes to a boil and I make myself a cup of tea. I feel hungry but not hungry enough to eat a full lunch. Subconsciously I reach out to a slice of white bread. I butter it evenly and then go on to sprinkle powdered sugar on it. This right here is a piece of my childhood on a plate. I bite into this soft, sweet, buttery goodness and for that moment I feel like I am five once again, delighted to find this humble snack in my school bag. One of many disguises of Amma’s love.

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#amma #mother #mamaslove #buttersugar #childhood #sweetmemories

Jul 12, 2023 3:17:09 pm

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It is important to acknowledge but not dwell upon the… Tough Day(s). There are tough days and then there are tough days . Days where you feel like you have no control over your body, where whatever you do, doesn’t help you feel better, where you can’t help but think why me. These are dark days. It sometimes feels like you are fighting an endless battle. You wonder how much more you can endure. How much more faith you can place in the mighty powers of the universe. You begin to worry endlessly about the future. You question whether you will be able to survive the malicious clutches of this cruel condition that is slowly robbing you of your independence and sanity. “Tomorrow will be a better day”, they tell you. After all Hope is all we have isn’t it? mommy.snippets #Parkinsons #youngonsetparkinsons #toughdays

It is important to acknowledge but not dwell upon the…

Tough Day(s).

There are tough days and then there are tough days . Days where you feel like you have no control over your body, where whatever you do, doesn’t help you feel better, where you can’t help but think why me. These are dark days. It sometimes feels like you are fighting an endless battle. You wonder how much more you can endure. How much more faith you can place in the mighty powers of the universe. You begin to worry endlessly about the future. You question whether you will be able to survive the malicious clutches of this cruel condition that is slowly robbing you of your independence and sanity. “Tomorrow will be a better day”, they tell you. After all Hope is all we have isn’t it?

mommy.snippets

#Parkinsons #youngonsetparkinsons #toughdays

Jul 06, 2023 12:33:20 pm

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Dear Little R It’s been awhile since I have written to you, hasn’t it? You are growing at tremendous speed and I am helplessly willing time to slow down a little. In your almost 6 year old self I seek out glimpses of you as a baby and a toddler -the way you laugh, the way, your eyes light up in delight , the slight quiver in your voice when you talk about something that you really love like animals (and numbers of course). Just yesterday, you picked up a snail from our garden and placed it in a little bug house. You told me in excitement that you have kept some grass next to it so that the snail is comfortable and also that the windows of the bug house will help the snail to breathe. This morning as we were rushing through the morning routine, you finished your breakfast and asked whether you could check on the snail. You were gone for about two minutes and I was hoping that you’d come back with a smile on your face. Instead, your eyes welled up and you said to me “it’s gone”. I tried explaining to you that it may have gone out for a walk and so on. You did not seem convinced so all I could do was to give you a tight hug. Your love for all creatures is just beautiful to watch. The ease with which you handle creepy crawlies and the affection you have for all animals is heartwarming. I hope your love for this wild and wonderful world only grows with you . The world needs more souls like you dearest Little R. I feel truly blessed to be your mum. Love always Mummy mommy.snippets #motherhood #wildandwonderful #animallover #dearson #BlessedAndGrateful

Dear Little R

It’s been awhile since I have written to you, hasn’t it? You are growing at tremendous speed and I am helplessly willing time to slow down a little. In your almost 6 year old self I seek out glimpses of you as a baby and a toddler -the way you laugh, the way, your eyes light up in delight , the slight quiver in your voice when you talk about something that you really love like animals (and numbers of course).

Just yesterday, you picked up a snail from our garden and placed it in a little bug house. You told me in excitement that you have kept some grass next to it so that the snail is comfortable and also that the windows of the bug house will help the snail to breathe. This morning as we were rushing through the morning routine, you finished your breakfast and asked whether you could check on the snail. You were gone for about two minutes and I was hoping that you’d come back with a smile on your face. Instead, your eyes welled up and you said to me “it’s gone”. I tried explaining to you that it may have gone out for a walk and so on. You did not seem convinced so all I could do was to give you a tight hug.

Your love for all creatures is just beautiful to watch. The ease with which you handle creepy crawlies and the affection you have for all animals is heartwarming. I hope your love for this wild and wonderful world only grows with you . The world needs more souls like you dearest Little R. I feel truly blessed to be your mum.

Love always

Mummy

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#motherhood #wildandwonderful #animallover #dearson #BlessedAndGrateful

Jun 26, 2023 4:01:17 pm

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My Red Lacy Shoes This photograph took me back to that evening in the early 90s when my dad returned home after a work trip to Canada. His suitcase was heaving with clothes and toys for my brother, and me. As he opened the suitcase, our eyes were wide as saucers, entirely in awe of these beautiful things from a land far away. However, what really caught my eye was a pair of beautiful dainty red lacy shoes. Tie up laces might I add? I picked them up gingerly and tried them on. They fit me perfectly. It was my Cinderella moment. I remember being so in love with my shoes that I refused to take them off even during bedtime. No doubt that they became my favourite pair. Owning such a beautiful pair of shoes also made me quite popular amongst my friends. I was never very feminine in my choice of clothes and accessories so this particular pair of shoes lent that feminine grace to my tomboyish nature. It is amazing how certain objects become so ingrained into our memories and evoke heartwarming nostalgia. #childhoodmemories #RedShoes #Nostalgia #ThrowbackThursday

My Red Lacy Shoes

This photograph took me back to that evening in the early 90s when my dad returned home after a work trip to Canada. His suitcase was heaving with clothes and toys for my brother, and me. As he opened the suitcase, our eyes were wide as saucers, entirely in awe of these beautiful things from a land far away. However, what really caught my eye was a pair of beautiful dainty red lacy shoes. Tie up laces might I add? I picked them up gingerly and tried them on. They fit me perfectly. It was my Cinderella moment.

I remember being so in love with my shoes that I refused to take them off even during bedtime. No doubt that they became my favourite pair. Owning such a beautiful pair of shoes also made me quite popular amongst my friends. I was never very feminine in my choice of clothes and accessories so this particular pair of shoes lent that feminine grace to my tomboyish nature. It is amazing how certain objects become so ingrained into our memories and evoke heartwarming nostalgia.

#childhoodmemories #RedShoes #Nostalgia #ThrowbackThursday

Jun 22, 2023 5:20:17 pm

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Kaleidoscope Of Memories A kaleidoscope of memories drift before my eyes, I try to focus on them, attempting to make sense of them. They seem to have merged with each other, loosely reconstructed as memories often are. I see myself as a toddler, a little girl, a stubborn adolescent and an independent woman. In each phase of my life, my grandmother has been a constant continuum. My comfort blanket, my wise counsel, my trusted, confidant , the wind beneath my wings. As I grow older, I can see age slowly tightening its grip around her. Today, she turns 93, perched upon a delicate hand of her life’s clock. Teaching me once again that in vulnerability, lies, immeasurable strength. mommy.snippets #gratitude #93today #grandmother

Kaleidoscope Of Memories

A kaleidoscope of memories drift before my eyes,
I try to focus on them, attempting to make sense of them.
They seem to have merged with each other, loosely reconstructed as memories often are.

I see myself as a toddler, a little girl, a stubborn adolescent and an independent woman.
In each phase of my life, my grandmother has been a constant continuum.
My comfort blanket, my wise counsel, my trusted, confidant , the wind beneath my wings.

As I grow older, I can see age slowly tightening its grip around her.
Today, she turns 93, perched upon a delicate hand of her life’s clock.
Teaching me once again that in vulnerability, lies, immeasurable strength.

mommy.snippets

#gratitude #93today #grandmother

Jun 20, 2023 10:45:05 am

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Summer Ramblings It is a hot Sunday afternoon in balmy UK. A sure sign that summer has arrived. Sunday afternoons, such as this one take me back to those of my childhood in Bombay; specifically to that lunch comprising of dal rice and fried fish. As a foodie and just based on this dish, I figured that there are three types of people in the world. Those that eat the fried fish first followed by the dal rice, those that eat the fried fish at the end, and finally those that ensure that the fried fish lasts the entire duration of eating the dal rice. The psychologist in me is always observing, always thinking, trying to make sense of people and their behaviour. What does this behaviour say about a person? I could apply an array of psychological theories if I wanted to. Not the point of this note. What then is the point? Perhaps it is merely to recognise that people approach the same situation in different ways. And more importantly, there is no right or wrong. These approaches cannot be compared. Why? you ask. It’s because the approach works. It works for the person adopting it. In a society that is increasingly competitive, comparisons are inevitable. But it does more damage than good. The only comparison that you can make is comparing yourself to your own as opposed to another. This is easier said than done because it is deeply set systemic behaviour in many cultures. Just a few weeks ago my 5 year old’s school had a children’s mental health awareness week. Anxiety, especially, is a rising cause of concern in young children. As a society we have a lot to think about, don’t you think? I will leave you with this beautiful quote. “Nothing in nature blooms all year. Be patient with yourself.” mommy.snippets Pic credit Akshaya Venkat #differentapproach #compassion #competition #comparison #mentalhealthawareness #lifeisshort #summertime #rambling

Summer Ramblings

It is a hot Sunday afternoon in balmy UK. A sure sign that summer has arrived. Sunday afternoons, such as this one take me back to those of my childhood in Bombay; specifically to that lunch comprising of dal rice and fried fish. As a foodie and just based on this dish, I figured that there are three types of people in the world. Those that eat the fried fish first followed by the dal rice, those that eat the fried fish at the end, and finally those that ensure that the fried fish lasts the entire duration of eating the dal rice.

The psychologist in me is always observing, always thinking, trying to make sense of people and their behaviour. What does this behaviour say about a person? I could apply an array of psychological theories if I wanted to. Not the point of this note. What then is the point? Perhaps it is merely to recognise that people approach the same situation in different ways. And more importantly, there is no right or wrong. These approaches cannot be compared. Why? you ask. It’s because the approach works. It works for the person adopting it.

In a society that is increasingly competitive, comparisons are inevitable. But it does more damage than good. The only comparison that you can make is comparing yourself to your own as opposed to another. This is easier said than done because it is deeply set systemic behaviour in many cultures. Just a few weeks ago my 5 year old’s school had a children’s mental health awareness week. Anxiety, especially, is a rising cause of concern in young children. As a society we have a lot to think about, don’t you think?

I will leave you with this beautiful quote. “Nothing in nature blooms all year. Be patient with yourself.”

mommy.snippets

Pic credit Akshaya Venkat

#differentapproach #compassion #competition #comparison #mentalhealthawareness #lifeisshort #summertime #rambling

Jun 19, 2023 11:01:10 am

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I don’t want to be demure or respectable (After Mary Oliver ) I don’t want to be demure or respectable Give me boldness and revolutions Joyous jubilations My heart beating harder with every change Give me spontaneity and mirth Lustrous laughter My feet tapping quicker with every beat Give me wildness and instinct Raucous rigor My soul shining brighter with each passing day #LifeIsShort #ParkinsonsAwareness #YoungOnsetParkinsons #WildChild

I don’t want to be demure or respectable
(After Mary Oliver )

I don’t want to be demure or respectable

Give me boldness and revolutions
Joyous jubilations
My heart beating harder with every change

Give me spontaneity and mirth
Lustrous laughter
My feet tapping quicker with every beat

Give me wildness and instinct
Raucous rigor
My soul shining brighter with each passing day

#LifeIsShort #ParkinsonsAwareness #YoungOnsetParkinsons #WildChild

Jun 17, 2023 4:03:53 pm

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The Sea I am sitting by the sea shore. The sound of the waves crashing, the seabreeze ruffling my curls , the sight of seashells, pebbles , and of course the sand, fill me with unparalleled joy. The sun has decided to shine, bright and warm, rarity in this part of the world. The sea has always been home for me. A deep longing for it, always underlies my consciousness. And memories come crashing, much like the waves in front of me…. Me as a child, drawing my name in the sand, swimming in the sea and building sandcastles as I see my parents keeping a watchful eye on me . Me as a teenager with my many moods which I see reflected in the sea. The high tide and low tide being particularly symbolic. The sea has a way to calm me in a way that nothing else can. Today I stared at the horizon and felt suddenly empowered. It’s the closest I’ve felt to nature in a while and I am so grateful for this moment. mommy.snippets #seaside #moment #soulfood #summer

The Sea

I am sitting by the sea shore. The sound of the waves crashing, the seabreeze ruffling my curls , the sight of seashells, pebbles , and of course the sand, fill me with unparalleled joy. The sun has decided to shine, bright and warm, rarity in this part of the world. The sea has always been home for me. A deep longing for it, always underlies my consciousness. And memories come crashing, much like the waves in front of me….

Me as a child, drawing my name in the sand, swimming in the sea and building sandcastles as I see my parents keeping a watchful eye on me . Me as a teenager with my many moods which I see reflected in the sea. The high tide and low tide being particularly symbolic. The sea has a way to calm me in a way that nothing else can. Today I stared at the horizon and felt suddenly empowered. It’s the closest I’ve felt to nature in a while and I am so grateful for this moment.

mommy.snippets

#seaside #moment #soulfood #summer

Jun 01, 2023 3:41:03 pm

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Forest Forests remind me of childhood fairytales. Of fairies and witches, of enchanted woods and magical trees. It instantly transports me to a place where anything and everything is possible. I have always associated the forest with magic. From Snow White to Harry Potter the charm of the forest has certainly managed to amaze me. This morning, I woke up to the sight of the Sun peeping through the trees. It filled me with a sense of wonder and renewed energy, Isn’t appreciating nature’s beauty in itself magical? Being mindful of your surroundings and grateful for your existence within that moment is surreal. Today when I looked at the Sun, I felt that anything is possible. It is a moment that I find hard to articulate in words because of the depth of thought and feeling that it evoked. However , here I am trying to capture it in peaceful solitude. “ mommy.snippets #Forest #Magical #Mindful #Gratitude #Energy #Moment 

Forest

Forests remind me of childhood fairytales. Of fairies and witches, of enchanted woods and magical trees. It instantly transports me to a place where anything and everything is possible. I have always associated the forest with magic. From Snow White to Harry Potter the charm of the forest has certainly managed to amaze me.

This morning, I woke up to the sight of the Sun peeping through the trees. It filled me with a sense of wonder and renewed energy, Isn’t appreciating nature’s beauty in itself magical? Being mindful of your surroundings and grateful for your existence within that moment is surreal. Today when I looked at the Sun, I felt that anything is possible. It is a moment that I find hard to articulate in words because of the depth of thought and feeling that it evoked. However , here I am trying to capture it in peaceful solitude.
“
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#Forest #Magical #Mindful #Gratitude #Energy #Moment 

May 28, 2023 9:53:38 am

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The sweltering heat feels oppressive. The AC has stopped working. The fan hardly manages to move the air. The atmosphere in my house, however, is abuzz with the annual ritual of making mango pickle. My mother, grandmother and aunt are sitting in a circle with all the ingredients interspersed among them. The smell of raw, mango and chilli powder is exacerbated in this unbearable heat. However, there is no delaying of this almost sacred ritual. The best raw mangoes are selected, and chopped into small even sized pieces by my grandmother’s expert hand. The remaining ingredients are then mixed with this chopped mountain of tangy goodness.

Once the mixture is given a nod of approval by my grandma, it is transferred into glass bottles and carefully sealed. Gossip is exchanged, jokes are cracked and the feminine energy is almost electric. It is not to be disturbed at any cost. I sit by my mother trying to contribute to this beautiful family ritual but feel entirely overwhelmed by my senses.”Darling, please pass me the mango pickle” my husband’s voice brings me out of my reverie. I sullenly look at the shop bought bottle of mango pickle on the dining table and promise myself to ask my mother for the family recipe the next time we speak.

#mangopickle #grandmother #summer #nostalgia

May 25, 2023 8:57:45 am

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💚 My Green Corner 💚

I have grown up amidst plants both indoors and in the garden. To be honest, I have always taken their presence for granted. There was always somebody else to look after and tend to the plants. So I was never directly involved in taking care of them. If you told me about three years ago that I would have indoor plants of my own, I would perhaps look at you incredulously. Today I have about 10 indoor plants. Creating this green space was not a conscious decision. It started with a neighbour gifting us orchids. This was followed by a couple of other plants being received as housewarming gifts. These plants required low maintenance, and did not demand too much of my time. Most importantly they brought me happiness and I decided to invest a bit of more time in my new found love for indoor plants.

I love browsing through colourful ceramic pots and I am constantly thinking about the best way to display my plants – Taking into consideration aesthetics yes, but also practical points like optimising the necessary amount of sunlight that each plant requires. I have even downloaded an app that helps a novice like me in taking care of plants. Previously , I would be lazy and not water the plants as often as required. Not anymore. These plants help me in numerous ways. They help me work with my hands, easing the stiffness and calming the tremors. Seeing them grow fills me with a sense of pride and satisfaction. Finally, they make me realise that consistency is key, and sometimes, despite all your efforts, you may still wilt but keep the faith and bloom you will!!

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#indoorplants #novice #hands #parkinsons
,

May 19, 2023 10:48:18 am

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Boundindia shared this writing prompt, my response follows ♥️

#microfiction #indianwedding #mothersanddaughters

May 18, 2023 8:33:59 am

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14.5.2023 International Mother’s Day Dearest Ronak, International Mother’s Day 2017 – you were still safe within the four walls of my womb . I was filled with excitement on your impending arrival in two months time. WhatsApp groups were filled with Mother’s Day wishes and I thought to myself that I will be celebrating this day properly next year. In hindsight, I felt like a mother the day I found out about another life growing within me, the day that I felt responsible for someone who literally is a part of me. Before becoming a mother, I would wonder whether the declarations of unconditional love are merely for theatrical effect. How wrong I was for it is when I first held you in my arms that I knew the meaning of these words. With you, my first born, my bond will always be a little different because with you, I’m still learning, I am still experiencing the firsts – your first smile, your first words, your first steps, your first day at school. Ronak, you are growing up to be a sensible, sensitive and kind young boy. I know that I rely on you a lot more than I should. You magically turn into my little helper and sometimes my wise guide. I don’t say this enough but thank you for being so patient with me as I navigate this complex path of motherhood with all the challenges that life has handed me. I cannot be prouder to be your mum. Dearest Rikhil, I don’t want you thinking “what about me?” and rightly so. You entering my world made me realise that I had qualities within me that I was not aware of. The first year of your life coincided with my body experiencing the very first symptoms of disease, becoming more prominent. At the time I was entirely unaware about what was happening, just that I was scared because I knew something was wrong, very wrong. Along with mothering you and your brother amidst the uncertainties of a global pandemic I felt as if I was losing at this motherhood challenge, but every time you smiled your toothless smile and the times when you fell asleep on my chest, I was immediately reassured and filled with a sense of peace that I find hard to put in words. Rikhil, you have and continue to be very patient with me as I look after you within the constraints that my body places on me – from dressing you to playing with you and accompanying you on nursery runs. Your patience and grace as I sometimes struggle quite obviously is something I am so grateful for. You will always be my baby even though you proudly declared to me this morning “I wiped my own bum Mummy, I am nearly 4 years old!”. “Oh wow!!” I replied, “You are 3 and a half Rikky” I added feebly, willing time to please slow down. With all my love Mummy

14.5.2023 International Mother’s Day

Dearest Ronak,

International Mother’s Day 2017 – you were still safe within the four walls of my womb . I was filled with excitement on your impending arrival in two months time. WhatsApp groups were filled with Mother’s Day wishes and I thought to myself that I will be celebrating this day properly next year. In hindsight, I felt like a mother the day I found out about another life growing within me, the day that I felt responsible for someone who literally is a part of me. Before becoming a mother, I would wonder whether the declarations of unconditional love are merely for theatrical effect. How wrong I was for it is when I first held you in my arms that I knew the meaning of these words.

With you, my first born, my bond will always be a little different because with you, I’m still learning, I am still experiencing the firsts – your first smile, your first words, your first steps, your first day at school. Ronak, you are growing up to be a sensible, sensitive and kind young boy. I know that I rely on you a lot more than I should. You magically turn into my little helper and sometimes my wise guide. I don’t say this enough but thank you for being so patient with me as I navigate this complex path of motherhood with all the challenges that life has handed me. I cannot be prouder to be your mum.

Dearest Rikhil,

I don’t want you thinking “what about me?” and rightly so. You entering my world made me realise that I had qualities within me that I was not aware of. The first year of your life coincided with my body experiencing the very first symptoms of disease, becoming more prominent. At the time I was entirely unaware about what was happening, just that I was scared because I knew something was wrong, very wrong. Along with mothering you and your brother amidst the uncertainties of a global pandemic I felt as if I was losing at this motherhood challenge, but every time you smiled your toothless smile and the times when you fell asleep on my chest, I was immediately reassured and filled with a sense of peace that I find hard to put in words. Rikhil, you have and continue to be very patient with me as I look after you within the constraints that my body places on me – from dressing you to playing with you and accompanying you on nursery runs. Your patience and grace as I sometimes struggle quite obviously is something I am so grateful for. You will always be my baby even though you proudly declared to me this morning “I wiped my own bum Mummy, I am nearly 4 years old!”. “Oh wow!!” I replied, “You are 3 and a half Rikky” I added feebly, willing time to please slow down.

With all my love

Mummy

May 14, 2023 9:58:45 am

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It’s OK To Cry. It’s OK to feel Angry. “Empathy will always be low in communities that teach you to avoid your feelings. You cannot feel another’s pain if you don’t know how to feel your own”. This particular quote hit me hard. There is so much truth in it. From a very young age, we have been taught to mask negative emotions, especially -ones like sadness and anger. Being agreeable and adaptive, always with a smile on your face is the ideal that we are meant to strive towards. Expressing negative emotions somehow has been portrayed as being weak. It apparently highlights that you have no control over your emotions. How dare you create a scene? And don’t you feel embarrassed about making others around you uncomfortable? So, we grow up believing that negative emotions are bad. Crying is bad , anger is worse. So every time you experience a negative emotion, you feel guilty about it, and this is wrong, so wrong. If you are not able to cope with negative emotions in a healthy manner, you either learn how to repress it or express it, perhaps in harmful ways . It is so important to normalise expression of negative emotions especially within an inter generational context. Culture has a big role to play here. In many cultures, expressing dissent , or confronting someone who is older to you is automatically considered to be disrespectful. To believe that the older person knows better than you needs to change. Their views must be respected, their actions must be respected, not merely their age. This needs a radical change in our society and the change needs to begin at the very basic level of society’s institutions which is the family. It’s only then that we can dream about a more empathetic society and we all know very well that empathy is the need of the hour now more than ever. mommy.snippets #empathy #itsoktocry

It’s OK To Cry. It’s OK to feel Angry.

“Empathy will always be low in communities that teach you to avoid your feelings. You cannot feel another’s pain if you don’t know how to feel your own”.

This particular quote hit me hard. There is so much truth in it. From a very young age, we have been taught to mask negative emotions, especially -ones like sadness and anger. Being agreeable and adaptive, always with a smile on your face is the ideal that we are meant to strive towards. Expressing negative emotions somehow has been portrayed as being weak. It apparently highlights that you have no control over your emotions. How dare you create a scene? And don’t you feel embarrassed about making others around you uncomfortable?

So, we grow up believing that negative emotions are bad. Crying is bad , anger is worse. So every time you experience a negative emotion, you feel guilty about it, and this is wrong, so wrong. If you are not able to cope with negative emotions in a healthy manner, you either learn how to repress it or express it, perhaps in harmful ways . It is so important to normalise expression of negative emotions especially within an inter generational context. Culture has a big role to play here. In many cultures, expressing dissent , or confronting someone who is older to you is automatically considered to be disrespectful. To believe that the older person knows better than you needs to change. Their views must be respected, their actions must be respected, not merely their age. This needs a radical change in our society and the change needs to begin at the very basic level of society’s institutions which is the family. It’s only then that we can dream about a more empathetic society and we all know very well that empathy is the need of the hour now more than ever.

mommy.snippets

#empathy #itsoktocry

Apr 28, 2023 10:23:06 am

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An Acrostic #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #letsfindacure

An Acrostic #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #letsfindacure

Apr 24, 2023 12:29:39 pm

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Magic Circle Getting back to school after slightly over two weeks of holidays can be a bit daunting for a child. They may throw tantrums or become clingy sometimes even refusing to step out of the door. This experience can be very challenging for a parent. This is where the magic circle comes to the rescue. It is quite simply a small circle drawn on your wrist and your child’s wrist . Once you draw the circle , you “ power it up” by placing both your wrists together, making sure the circles touch each other . You then tell your child that whenever they miss you all they need to do is to look at the circle because when they do that it will send you a message through the magic circle that they are missing you and that you will send some love back through your circle . I have been doing this with my boys for a couple of years now. So today, when I forgot to do this on the first day back, I was politely reminded by my 5 and 3 year old “You forgot something very important Mummy”. I immediately panicked about missed homework and so on whilst they both exclaimed “magic circle”. I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly drew the circles.As I shut the door behind them and waved them goodbye, the silence was deafening. I could not help but wonder who would need the magic circle more today, them or me? mommy.snippets #motherhood #magiccircle #backtoschool

Magic Circle

Getting back to school after slightly over two weeks of holidays can be a bit daunting for a child. They may throw tantrums or become clingy sometimes even refusing to step out of the door. This experience can be very challenging for a parent. This is where the magic circle comes to the rescue. It is quite simply a small circle drawn on your wrist and your child’s wrist . Once you draw the circle , you “ power it up” by placing both your wrists together, making sure the circles touch each other . You then tell your child that whenever they miss you all they need to do is to look at the circle because when they do that it will send you a message through the magic circle that they are missing you and that you will send some love back through your circle .

I have been doing this with my boys for a couple of years now. So today, when I forgot to do this on the first day back, I was politely reminded by my 5 and 3 year old “You forgot something very important Mummy”. I immediately panicked about missed homework and so on whilst they both exclaimed “magic circle”. I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly drew the circles.As I shut the door behind them and waved them goodbye, the silence was deafening. I could not help but wonder who would need the magic circle more today, them or me?

mommy.snippets

#motherhood #magiccircle #backtoschool

Apr 17, 2023 11:29:46 am

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Bad Day When someone with Parkinson’s Disease tells you that they are having a bad day what exactly do they mean? They mean that their symptoms are more difficult to manage than usual/They mean that the tasks that they once took for granted now require immense effort and concentration/ They mean that they cannot plan their day because they don’t know how their body will respond/ They mean that they may not be able to live up to prior commitments/ They mean that they may be hesitant to share the details of what they are experiencing because it may be hard for them to understand it themselves/They mean that they don’t expect you to understand but will be grateful if you listen and maybe give them a hug. ©️mommy.snippets #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #youngonsetparkinsons #letsfindacure #badday

Bad Day

When someone with Parkinson’s Disease tells you that they are having a bad day what exactly do they mean? They mean that their symptoms are more difficult to manage than usual/They mean that the tasks that they once took for granted now require immense effort and concentration/ They mean that they cannot plan their day because they don’t know how their body will respond/ They mean that they may not be able to live up to prior commitments/ They mean that they may be hesitant to share the details of what they are experiencing because it may be hard for them to understand it themselves/They mean that they don’t expect you to understand but will be grateful if you listen and maybe give them a hug. ©️mommy.snippets

#ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #youngonsetparkinsons #letsfindacure #badday

Apr 14, 2023 12:28:55 pm

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How I used to be woken up by tremors in my feet whilst my hands failed to do their bidding Of how painful it was when walking with my toes curled The frustration that consumed me for not being able to do seemingly simple tasks Of how I had to time activities like taking a shower so that my medication had not worn off How annoying it was when people around you were in denial about the condition The exhaustion that would hit me suddenly at the worst of times, especially when looking after my young children Of how stiffness remained with me all the time The fear about the uncertainty of how the condition would progress How frustrating it was to type this note the first thing in the morning without medication because I did not want to lose my train of thought and my hands refused to work and the voice dictation transcribed mostly gibberish onto the screen Yes, one day I would like to say that I used to have Parkinson’s Disease mommy.snippets (April is Parkinson’s awareness month) #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #letsfindacure #youngonsetparkinsons

How I used to be woken up by tremors in my feet whilst my hands failed to do their bidding
Of how painful it was when walking with my toes curled
The frustration that consumed me for not being able to do seemingly simple tasks
Of how I had to time activities like taking a shower so that my medication had not worn off
How annoying it was when people around you were in denial about the condition
The exhaustion that would hit me suddenly at the worst of times, especially when looking after my young children
Of how stiffness remained with me all the time
The fear about the uncertainty of how the condition would progress
How frustrating it was to type this note the first thing in the morning without medication because I did not want to lose my train of thought and my hands refused to work and the voice dictation transcribed mostly gibberish onto the screen

Yes, one day I would like to say that I used to have Parkinson’s Disease

mommy.snippets

(April is Parkinson’s awareness month)

#ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #letsfindacure #youngonsetparkinsons

Apr 09, 2023 7:32:12 am

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For my niece I look at your big brown eyes, staring up at me in wonder On your face, I can see traces of your mother’s smile, remnants of your father’s eyes You gently sigh and suddenly I see your grandparents’ features appearing in glimpses as if I were hallucinating I reach out to your tubby arms, lifting you up onto my lap You rest your head against me without a word passing between us. We sit in silence, the chaos of the outside world ceasing to exist Much like the meeting of two kindred souls There’s so much I want to tell you But for now all I do is hold you close Basking in this beautiful bond Gratitude washing over my being ©️mommy.snippets #NaPoWriMo #gratitude #niece

For my niece

I look at your big brown eyes, staring up at me in wonder
On your face, I can see traces of your mother’s smile, remnants of your father’s eyes
You gently sigh and suddenly
I see your grandparents’ features appearing in glimpses as if I were hallucinating

I reach out to your tubby arms, lifting you up onto my lap
You rest your head against me without a word passing between us.
We sit in silence, the chaos of the outside world ceasing to exist
Much like the meeting of two kindred souls

There’s so much I want to tell you
But for now all I do is hold you close
Basking in this beautiful bond
Gratitude washing over my being

©️mommy.snippets

#NaPoWriMo #gratitude #niece

Apr 07, 2023 11:32:04 am

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Yin & Yang They say every photograph has a story to tell. This particular photograph of my boys has managed to capture such a lot. Ronak, the big brother always looking out for his little brother, a protective arm around his shoulders. A look of quiet calm on his face. He never seems to be under pressure from external stimuli, working meticulously, taking his time. And then we have Rikhil. Always on the move, go go go! The baby of our family, trying his best to make us laugh with his funny lines and acts. Together they create a perfect balance. My very own Yin and Yang. (25.3.23 – Ronak 5y, Rikhil 3y) mommy.snippets #myboys #brothers #balance #yingandyang #gratitude

Yin & Yang

They say every photograph has a story to tell. This particular photograph of my boys has managed to capture such a lot. Ronak, the big brother always looking out for his little brother, a protective arm around his shoulders. A look of quiet calm on his face. He never seems to be under pressure from external stimuli, working meticulously, taking his time. And then we have Rikhil. Always on the move, go go go! The baby of our family, trying his best to make us laugh with his funny lines and acts. Together they create a perfect balance. My very own Yin and Yang.

(25.3.23 – Ronak 5y, Rikhil 3y)

mommy.snippets

#myboys #brothers #balance #yingandyang #gratitude

Mar 26, 2023 9:54:36 am

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Belonging “You broke the ocean in half to be here. Only to meet nothing that wants you.” – immigrant I read this quote. I read it again. The message that it delivered in such few words is nothing short of amazing. I have always been interested in the immigrant experience and the concept of home and belonging has always intrigued me. Having left my own country some 15years ago and being an immigrant myself, I find these experiences very poignant – some heartwarming, others heartbreaking, some others enlightening. Coming back to the quote – “Only to meet nothing that wants you”- such a powerful line. Everything is alien in a new land: the weather, the people, the language, the food. (To put it differently, maybe you are alien to them). You see her, a young woman, wandering aimlessly in the supermarket, searching for food that reminds her of home. You see him the man at the GP surgery trying to book an appointment but miserably failing because he cannot communicate. You see them , a group of young teenagers always sticking together in the fear that stepping out of their little group will make them feel all alone in this strange new land. This experience of feeling unwelcome appears to be pervasive across the immigrant’s narrative. The fact that this particular quote made me ponder and reflect says a lot. An immigrant leaves their home and its familiarity in search for a better life or perhaps they had no choice in the matter. Whatever be the case, that feeling of not belonging is a terrible one. So next time you see an immigrant struggling at something relatively simple, help if you are able to. You never know the length of the ocean that they crossed. mommy.snippets Thank you @[100069834219360:2048:LitBowl] for sharing. #immigrants #belonging #ocean

Belonging

“You broke the ocean in half to be here.
Only to meet nothing that wants you.”

– immigrant

I read this quote. I read it again. The message that it delivered in such few words is nothing short of amazing. I have always been interested in the immigrant experience and the concept of home and belonging has always intrigued me. Having left my own country some 15years ago and being an immigrant myself, I find these experiences very poignant – some heartwarming, others heartbreaking, some others enlightening.

Coming back to the quote – “Only to meet nothing that wants you”- such a powerful line. Everything is alien in a new land: the weather, the people, the language, the food. (To put it differently, maybe you are alien to them). You see her, a young woman, wandering aimlessly in the supermarket, searching for food that reminds her of home. You see him the man at the GP surgery trying to book an appointment but miserably failing because he cannot communicate. You see them , a group of young teenagers always sticking together in the fear that stepping out of their little group will make them feel all alone in this strange new land.

This experience of feeling unwelcome appears to be pervasive across the immigrant’s narrative. The fact that this particular quote made me ponder and reflect says a lot. An immigrant leaves their home and its familiarity in search for a better life or perhaps they had no choice in the matter. Whatever be the case, that feeling of not belonging is a terrible one. So next time you see an immigrant struggling at something relatively simple, help if you are able to. You never know the length of the ocean that they crossed.

mommy.snippets

Thank you LitBowl for sharing.

#immigrants #belonging #ocean

Mar 24, 2023 2:04:19 pm

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Confidence I have been a little quiet since my solo trip. Well, life happened as they say. So venturing out on my own was a revelation of sorts. It gave me heaps of confidence , it reminded me of my life before this wretched condition marred it. It showed me that I am my own person first, then come the roles I play. Somewhere along the past many years I had forgotten this. Especially after my diagnosis when I started depending on my husband for everyday things, things that I could still do but he did for me as he anticipated my every need. It felt good to reclaim that independence. I am so much more confident now thanks to this experience. I am grateful for the time I had to myself in my favourite place. It will remain with me as a gentle reminder that whatever this condition throws at me, I can fight it. mommy.snippets P.S. Thank you to each of you who checked in on me this past week ❤️ Also a huge shout out to my gorgeous cousin @trishaaa8 whose amazing destination wedding gave me the push to travel on my own. Pic credit. @akil2561 #solotravel #solotrip #independent #independence #yopd #youngonsetparkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsons #pdawareness #travellingwithparkinsons #letsfindacure

Confidence

I have been a little quiet since my solo trip. Well, life happened as they say.

So venturing out on my own was a revelation of sorts. It gave me heaps of confidence , it reminded me of my life before this wretched condition marred it. It showed me that I am my own person first, then come the roles I play. Somewhere along the past many years I had forgotten this. Especially after my diagnosis when I started depending on my husband for everyday things, things that I could still do but he did for me as he anticipated my every need. It felt good to reclaim that independence. I am so much more confident now thanks to this experience. I am grateful for the time I had to myself in my favourite place. It will remain with me as a gentle reminder that whatever this condition throws at me, I can fight it.

mommy.snippets

P.S. Thank you to each of you who checked in on me this past week ❤️

Also a huge shout out to my gorgeous cousin @trishaaa8 whose amazing destination wedding gave me the push to travel on my own.

Pic credit. @akil2561

#solotravel #solotrip #independent #independence #yopd #youngonsetparkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsons #pdawareness #travellingwithparkinsons #letsfindacure

Mar 18, 2023 8:08:48 pm

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Thirteen Dearest R On every anniversary, I look back at our photographs together. I often pause and wonder about the way we have changed in appearance, but also in confidence. Some things however, don’t change like the way you smile, that twinkle in your eye, your arm always around me. The photographs remind me of beautiful memories that we have garnered over the years, fitting in beautifully with the symbol of the 13th year of marriage, lace – symbolising the intricate intertwining of our lives. It is safe to say that I don’t quite remember what my life was like before I met you. So here’s to a fantastic 13th year! It doesn’t matter what they say about it being unlucky because every year with you is a lucky one for me. Love S mommy.snippets #weddinganniversary #thisis13

Thirteen

Dearest R

On every anniversary, I look back at our photographs together. I often pause and wonder about the way we have changed in appearance, but also in confidence. Some things however, don’t change like the way you smile, that twinkle in your eye, your arm always around me.

The photographs remind me of beautiful memories that we have garnered over the years, fitting in beautifully with the symbol of the 13th year of marriage, lace – symbolising the intricate intertwining of our lives. It is safe to say that I don’t quite remember what my life was like before I met you. So here’s to a fantastic 13th year! It doesn’t matter what they say about it being unlucky because every year with you is a lucky one for me.

Love

S

mommy.snippets

#weddinganniversary #thisis13

Mar 16, 2023 10:39:37 am

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The Next Step I will soon be travelling on my own. No husband, no children, no friends. I have forgotten what this feels like. I’ve forgotten the pleasure of my own company. As a mother, I am constantly looking out for my kids, making sure they’re okay and so on. I don’t remember the last time I sat on my own at the airport. Perhaps it was when I was a student all those many years ago in the UK. Today, things have changed and how. The main change being living life with a degenerative, neurological condition which forces me to relate differently to my environment every single day. I am extremely excited to venture out on my own, but at the same time I am riddled with anxiety. As I’m pondering about this, Google throws up a memory about my younger son walking for the first time. How he takes a few steps, falls down, gets back up again, and continues taking more steps until he reaches the end of the room. And somehow this video fills me with quiet confidence. The confidence to take the next step, no matter what. And to always, always keep moving. mommy.snippets #solotravel #parkinsons #keepmoving #nextstep

The Next Step

I will soon be travelling on my own. No husband, no children, no friends. I have forgotten what this feels like. I’ve forgotten the pleasure of my own company. As a mother, I am constantly looking out for my kids, making sure they’re okay and so on. I don’t remember the last time I sat on my own at the airport. Perhaps it was when I was a student all those many years ago in the UK. Today, things have changed and how. The main change being living life with a degenerative, neurological condition which forces me to relate differently to my environment every single day.

I am extremely excited to venture out on my own, but at the same time I am riddled with anxiety. As I’m pondering about this, Google throws up a memory about my younger son walking for the first time. How he takes a few steps, falls down, gets back up again, and continues taking more steps until he reaches the end of the room. And somehow this video fills me with quiet confidence. The confidence to take the next step, no matter what. And to always, always keep moving.

mommy.snippets

#solotravel #parkinsons #keepmoving #nextstep

Mar 01, 2023 6:25:16 pm

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The Past I am a sucker for alliteration. So when I heard the term Throwback Thursdays, it got me thinking. It got me thinking about memories and the past. About how our past has an impact on our present. It made me wonder about nostalgia, the deep desire to go back in time, perhaps to a simpler time, a simpler place with people that may or may not be around today. Why is it that we like to reflect upon what was? Is it to relive happy memories or to learn from our mistakes? And what about regret? I realise that my own writing is reminiscent of the past. I try to preserve my many memories in words for they are far too precious to be lost in the often overcrowded place that is my mind. I recognise that this post is just me thinking aloud so thank you for listening. I’d love to read your views on what the past conjures within you. Please, do share. mommy.snippets Illustration – Aly Jones #thepast #nostalgia #memories #notesonthego

The Past

I am a sucker for alliteration. So when I heard the term Throwback Thursdays, it got me thinking. It got me thinking about memories and the past. About how our past has an impact on our present. It made me wonder about nostalgia, the deep desire to go back in time, perhaps to a simpler time, a simpler place with people that may or may not be around today. Why is it that we like to reflect upon what was? Is it to relive happy memories or to learn from our mistakes? And what about regret?

I realise that my own writing is reminiscent of the past. I try to preserve my many memories in words for they are far too precious to be lost in the often overcrowded place that is my mind.

I recognise that this post is just me thinking aloud so thank you for listening. I’d love to read your views on what the past conjures within you. Please, do share.

mommy.snippets

Illustration – Aly Jones

#thepast #nostalgia #memories #notesonthego

Feb 23, 2023 11:01:57 am

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Delicate Breath Those early days of motherhood are seared into my memory For they were incredibly beautiful and immensely raw I remember watching your breath like a hawk when you slept peacefully in your cot Inhale Exhale I remember holding my fingers under your nose just to be a hundred percent sure Inhale Exhale I remember the delicate feel of your soft breath against the nape of my neck Inhale Exhale I remember the endless nights of a blocked nose playing havoc with your breath Inhale Exhale So today when your curious 5 year old self asked me what the lungs do it took me back to those early days But all I said to you was “Breathe, they help you breathe” mommy.snippets

Delicate Breath

Those early days of motherhood are seared into my memory
For they were incredibly beautiful and immensely raw

I remember watching your breath like a hawk when you slept peacefully in your cot
Inhale Exhale

I remember holding my fingers under your nose just to be a hundred percent sure
Inhale Exhale

I remember the delicate feel of your soft breath against the nape of my neck
Inhale Exhale

I remember the endless nights of a blocked nose playing havoc with your breath
Inhale Exhale

So today when your curious 5 year old self asked me what the lungs do it took me back to those early days

But all I said to you was “Breathe, they help you breathe”

mommy.snippets

Feb 17, 2023 11:16:12 am

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I recently wrote an article for @[100044256768137:2048:Motherly] on how to raise inclusive kids. I have steered clear of being preachy in the article and have shared my own experiences which I hope other parents will find useful.  “Raising inclusive kids need not be rocket science”. https://www.mother.ly/parenting/tips-for-raising-inclusive-kids/

I recently wrote an article for Motherly
on how to raise inclusive kids.

I have steered clear of being preachy in the article and have shared my own experiences which I hope other parents will find useful. 

“Raising inclusive kids need not be rocket science”.

7 ways to raise inclusive kids

Feb 13, 2023 4:42:52 pm

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🎉🎊 Notes On The Go turns ONE 🎊🎉

Facebook reminded me yesterday that we turned one! Firsts are always special aren’t they? What started as a mini writing project has grown into a space where I can share my thoughts and experiences. It has been wonderful to read all your comments on my various posts. It is also heartwarming to realise that my words resonate with many of you. Thank you for all your love.

Today, I want to share with you my most precious ‘someone’. That someone who told an awkward 14 year old me that my ability to write is a gift and to never let it go. That someone who always asks me what I have written recently despite her failing memory. That someone who is up to date with my writing by either reading it herself or being read to. My biggest cheerleader, best motivator, patient listener, enigmatic storyteller, wise guide, jovial friend and cutest fan – My Grandmother – Papama. Here’s a picture from yesterday where I was telling her about my latest article.

mommy.snippets

#1stanniversary #gratitude #whenICountMyBlessings #notesonthego #TopFans

Feb 10, 2023 10:25:30 am

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❤️ #notesonthego #whattobring

❤️

#notesonthego #whattobring

Feb 08, 2023 4:44:53 pm

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My dearest R & R, Yesterday was challenging. My body feeling like lead, my leg increasingly reminding me of a dead log of wood. However, I had to get on with the usual routine. The both of you were engaged in your favourite game of tag – running, squealing and generally delighting in a noisy affair. I repeatedly asked you to stop playing this particular game, my pleas falling on deaf ears. So all I did was explain to you that I am disappointed in this behaviour. Little R, you then quietly went to your room, with Baby R following your lead. I did not follow the both of you thinking to myself that some time on your own may do you good. I then got busy with some other chores. After about half an hour, you quietly tread into the kitchen and kept a colourful piece of paper with something written on it , next to me. The paper was an apology note (your very first one!) I was overwhelmed by this sweet gesture and just for a minute, my body felt so light…perhaps as light as that beautiful paper holding so much love and innocence. mommy.snippets #notesonthego #myboysmyworld #blessed #gratitude #whenICountMyBlessings #parkinsonsawareness

My dearest R & R,

Yesterday was challenging. My body feeling like lead, my leg increasingly reminding me of a dead log of wood. However, I had to get on with the usual routine. The both of you were engaged in your favourite game of tag – running, squealing and generally delighting in a noisy affair. I repeatedly asked you to stop playing this particular game, my pleas falling on deaf ears. So all I did was explain to you that I am disappointed in this behaviour.

Little R, you then quietly went to your room, with Baby R following your lead. I did not follow the both of you thinking to myself that some time on your own may do you good. I then got busy with some other chores.

After about half an hour, you quietly tread into the kitchen and kept a colourful piece of paper with something written on it , next to me. The paper was an apology note (your very first one!)
I was overwhelmed by this sweet gesture and just for a minute, my body felt so light…perhaps as light as that beautiful paper holding so much love and innocence.

mommy.snippets

#notesonthego #myboysmyworld #blessed #gratitude #whenICountMyBlessings #parkinsonsawareness

Feb 03, 2023 10:12:51 am

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Mirage Dopamine is a funny chemical. I never cared about it much before being diagnosed with PD. I remember learning about it along with its sibling if you like, serotonin. About how these two neurotransmitters are so important. As a university student, this was just a fact that I had to remember. Fast forward some 15 years and here I am experiencing just how important that fact actually is for the functioning of the human body. Parkinson’s is a cruel disease because of the lack of dopamine in the brain. Sometimes, what little dopamine remains in the brain works effectively, so you feel that your condition is improving. However, after a few hours or days, if you’re lucky you feel as normal as you possibly can. Then suddenly without even a hint of warning, dopamine decides to stop functioning and you go back to fighting the various symptoms that result in your body as a consequence. This experience can be best described as looking at a mirage, something that is so achievable, it is almost yours, but alas it isn’t. It is almost being able to open your hand fully, almost being able to walk without a shuffle, almost being able to control the tremors. It is this ‘almost’ that gives you the feeling that you have regained some control over this terrible disease, and just as you begin to feel grateful for this positive change you are once again thrown into the deep end. So, every day is a different battle. The condition does not even give you the benefit of practice. It manages to surprise you every single day, whether you like it or not and you have just two options, either you sink or you swim. On most days, I swim using all my strokes to the optimum level. However, there are those other days where I feel like I am sinking- arms flailing limbs in utter disarray, gasping for that precious mouthful of fresh air. Sometimes I keep my head underwater, the vacuum creating a sense of calm, at least for the moment. mommy.snippets #AwarenessPost #notesonthego #parkinsons #mirage #dopamine Pic @[100064660784995:2048:Atlas Obscura]

Mirage

Dopamine is a funny chemical. I never cared about it much before being diagnosed with PD. I remember learning about it along with its sibling if you like, serotonin. About how these two neurotransmitters are so important. As a university student, this was just a fact that I had to remember. Fast forward some 15 years and here I am experiencing just how important that fact actually is for the functioning of the human body.

Parkinson’s is a cruel disease because of the lack of dopamine in the brain. Sometimes, what little dopamine remains in the brain works effectively, so you feel that your condition is improving. However, after a few hours or days, if you’re lucky you feel as normal as you possibly can. Then suddenly without even a hint of warning, dopamine decides to stop functioning and you go back to fighting the various symptoms that result in your body as a consequence.

This experience can be best described as looking at a mirage, something that is so achievable, it is almost yours, but alas it isn’t. It is almost being able to open your hand fully, almost being able to walk without a shuffle, almost being able to control the tremors. It is this ‘almost’ that gives you the feeling that you have regained some control over this terrible disease, and just as you begin to feel grateful for this positive change you are once again thrown into the deep end.

So, every day is a different battle. The condition does not even give you the benefit of practice. It manages to surprise you every single day, whether you like it or not and you have just two options, either you sink or you swim. On most days, I swim using all my strokes to the optimum level. However, there are those other days where I feel like I am sinking- arms flailing limbs in utter disarray, gasping for that precious mouthful of fresh air. Sometimes I keep my head underwater, the vacuum creating a sense of calm, at least for the moment.

mommy.snippets

#AwarenessPost #notesonthego #parkinsons #mirage #dopamine

Pic Atlas Obscura

Jan 31, 2023 5:03:12 pm

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Skills I have learnt since becoming a parent (After Katherine Perry) How to cough and sneeze without making a sound. How to disguise vegetables, especially the colorful ones. How to accept honest feedback How to keep a straight face when little people speak wisely How to negotiate using bribes, and sometimes threats (okay always) How to convince a little person why they can’t do something unreasonable How to keep calm when your little person is throwing a tantrum in full public view How to feel like you are swearing, but not really swearing (what the actual fudge right?) How to find five minutes of alone time and immediately feeling terribly guilty How to survive on what is very very little sleep. How to politely nod at parenting tips and continue winging it. How to love unconditionally How to let go mommy.snippets #NotesOnTheGo #Motherhood #Parenting# #ParentingSkills #ParentingLife

Skills I have learnt since becoming a parent
(After Katherine Perry)

How to cough and sneeze without making a sound.
How to disguise vegetables, especially the colorful ones.
How to accept honest feedback
How to keep a straight face when little people speak wisely
How to negotiate using bribes, and sometimes threats (okay always)
How to convince a little person why they can’t do something unreasonable

How to keep calm when your little person is throwing a tantrum in full public view
How to feel like you are swearing, but not really swearing (what the actual fudge right?)
How to find five minutes of alone time and immediately feeling terribly guilty
How to survive on what is very very little sleep.
How to politely nod at parenting tips and continue winging it.
How to love unconditionally
How to let go

mommy.snippets

#NotesOnTheGo #Motherhood #Parenting# #ParentingSkills #ParentingLife

Jan 27, 2023 9:55:55 am

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That Precious Dosa It is 7 am on a busy weekday morning but in my grandmother‘s kitchen It is as if time has stood still. She stands by the age-old gas stove. Atop which sits a sizzling tava spluttering with mustard seeds. Outside, the birds are chirping ,creating a cheerful morning crescendo. Papama takes a ladleful of dosa batter And expertly spreads it in a concentric circle on the now overheated tava. It is as if she has used a geometric compass to lend the dosa the appearance of the full moon. The dosa begins cooking on the tireless tava. Papama waits for a couple of minutes before flipping it over. My grandfather and I are patiently waiting for the dosa to slide into our plates. The dosa feels like butter paper under my fingertips. I tear into it, dip it in coconut chutney and scoop it into my mouth. The flavours of the chutney, along with the dosa overpower my senses. As I am in a trance of sorts, my grandmother asks me whether I would like some coffee. I eagerly nod my head Gratitude washing over me Thankful not just for any dosa, but for that dosa fermented with my grandmother’s affection and unconditional love. So I close my eyes for a moment, trying to preserve its sanctity in my memory. mommy.snippets #Dosa #Exist #Breakfast #UnconditionalLove #Grandmother #Grandmother‘sKitchen #Grandmotherslove #NoteOnTheGo @[100064614342830:2048:Pinterest]

That Precious Dosa

It is 7 am on a busy weekday morning
but in my grandmother‘s kitchen
It is as if time has stood still.

She stands by the age-old gas stove.
Atop which sits a sizzling tava spluttering with mustard seeds.
Outside, the birds are chirping ,creating a cheerful morning crescendo.

Papama takes a ladleful of dosa batter
And expertly spreads it in a concentric circle on the now overheated tava.
It is as if she has used a geometric compass to lend the dosa the appearance of the full moon.

The dosa begins cooking on the tireless tava.
Papama waits for a couple of minutes before flipping it over.
My grandfather and I are patiently waiting for the dosa to slide into our plates.

The dosa feels like butter paper under my fingertips.
I tear into it, dip it in coconut chutney and scoop it into my mouth.
The flavours of the chutney, along with the dosa overpower my senses.

As I am in a trance of sorts, my grandmother asks me whether I would like some coffee.
I eagerly nod my head
Gratitude washing over me
Thankful not just for any dosa, but for that dosa fermented with my grandmother’s affection and unconditional love.
So I close my eyes for a moment, trying to preserve its sanctity in my memory.

mommy.snippets

#Dosa #Exist #Breakfast #UnconditionalLove #Grandmother #Grandmother‘sKitchen #Grandmotherslove #NoteOnTheGo

Pinterest

Jan 24, 2023 11:47:52 am

Notes On The Go added a new video.

Konkani Pasoori – PASAARO The story of my life 🤣 Getting the boys to tidy up, is always an adventure #Konkani #pasoori #pasoorikonkani #toystory #tidyup #storyofmylife

Konkani Pasoori – PASAARO

The story of my life 🤣

Getting the boys to tidy up, is always an adventure

#Konkani #pasoori #pasoorikonkani #toystory #tidyup #storyofmylife

Jan 22, 2023 1:14:09 am

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PIRACY- Please Read I recently bought the book ‘Spare’ , the biography of Prince Harry. I shared this news of my new purchase with my husband. He responded by saying “oh so and so from my friend circle on WhatsApp forwarded a pirated copy on the group chat”. That statement really annoyed me. As a writer it goes against my very purpose. It is a slight to my effort, knowledge, my skill and if I may go to the extent of saying, my craft. Writing takes a lot of determination and patience apart from imagination and creativity. So when someone very flippantly forwards a pirated copy of a book , any book, it really drives me nuts. Coming back to the specific book, these are people who can easily afford buying a book. I’m talking about bankers and others in white-collar jobs. I often wonder why they do this. Do they get some kind of thrill from cheating the system? Of having discovered a loophole? Of acquiring something that is free? Why cannot we just respect the fact that writing is like any other profession whose output comes with a price. There are no free lunches. You may argue and say well what about you know the poor or students for example? My answer to that is very simple: borrow the book from a friend or join a library if you have access to one. But please, please do not encourage piracy. Reading pirated copies is distasteful, disgraceful, and extremely disrespectful. I cannot say this enough. Stop it. Please. mommy.snippets #piracy #StopPiracy #BorrowBooks #JoinALibrary

PIRACY- Please Read

I recently bought the book ‘Spare’ , the biography of Prince Harry. I shared this news of my new purchase with my husband. He responded by saying “oh so and so from my friend circle on WhatsApp forwarded a pirated copy on the group chat”. That statement really annoyed me. As a writer it goes against my very purpose. It is a slight to my effort, knowledge, my skill and if I may go to the extent of saying, my craft. Writing takes a lot of determination and patience apart from imagination and creativity. So when someone very flippantly forwards a pirated copy of a book , any book, it really drives me nuts.

Coming back to the specific book, these are people who can easily afford buying a book. I’m talking about bankers and others in white-collar jobs. I often wonder why they do this. Do they get some kind of thrill from cheating the system? Of having discovered a loophole? Of acquiring something that is free? Why cannot we just respect the fact that writing is like any other profession whose output comes with a price. There are no free lunches. You may argue and say well what about you know the poor or students for example? My answer to that is very simple: borrow the book from a friend or join a library if you have access to one. But please, please do not encourage piracy.

Reading pirated copies is distasteful, disgraceful, and extremely disrespectful. I cannot say this enough. Stop it. Please.

mommy.snippets

#piracy #StopPiracy
#BorrowBooks #JoinALibrary

Jan 20, 2023 10:59:29 am

Notes On The Go added a new video.

Mothering young kids is hard work. Add to this YOPD and the challenge is immense. My 5yr old and 3year old are both able to identify my weaknesses resulting from PD symptoms. The fact that they automatically go to Dad for help with seemingly simple tasks that I struggle with breaks me. But then they see me trying, always trying and through that I hope they are learning perseverance and resilience. They see my vulnerability but they also see my strength. They see how I use humour to lighten certain awkward situations, how I always make them laugh. They see me deflated one moment but they also see how I get back up. You know the best part though? When they see me being visibly disappointed in myself they say , “You can do it Mummy, you’re the best!” And that’s all the motivation I need to continue to fight. mommy.snippets #gratitude #motherhood #parkinsons #youngonsetparkinsons #awareness

Mothering young kids is hard work. Add to this YOPD and the challenge is immense. My 5yr old and 3year old are both able to identify my weaknesses resulting from PD symptoms. The fact that they automatically go to Dad for help with seemingly simple tasks that I struggle with breaks me.

But then they see me trying, always trying and through that I hope they are learning perseverance and resilience. They see my vulnerability but they also see my strength. They see how I use humour to lighten certain awkward situations, how I always make them laugh. They see me deflated one moment but they also see how I get back up.

You know the best part though? When they see me being visibly disappointed in myself they say , “You can do it Mummy, you’re the best!” And that’s all the motivation I need to continue to fight.

mommy.snippets

#gratitude #motherhood #parkinsons #youngonsetparkinsons #awareness

Jan 19, 2023 6:04:04 pm

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Names Naming your child is a huge decision for parents. For us, apart from the name being easy to pronounce , the meaning behind the name was equally important. I often get asked if I feel a little left out with three Rs in the family . My answer is always that it doesn’t matter because the names themselves hold immense meaning for me personally. I would like to share this with you today. RONAK Your name means exuberance, illumination, light. My eternal sunshine through the darkest of nights. Your name to me is comfort, thoughtfulness and innocence. It encapsulates a heart full of love, a mind so curious. It’s your name I call out when worried or scared Your name in my prayers, forever, always. RIKHIL Your name means eternal, forever more My infinite strength, of that I’m sure. Your name to me is generosity, kindness and laughter It’s syllables creating music, love ever after. I seek out your name in times of despair Your name on my lips, in my every prayer. mommy.snippets #Memes #BabyNames #MeaningfulNames #What’sInAName #NotesOnTheGo #IndianNames #SundayReflections #name #names

Names

Naming your child is a huge decision for parents. For us, apart from the name being easy to pronounce , the meaning behind the name was equally important.

I often get asked if I feel a little left out with three Rs in the family . My answer is always that it doesn’t matter because the names themselves hold immense meaning for me personally. I would like to share this with you today.

RONAK

Your name means exuberance, illumination, light.
My eternal sunshine through the darkest of nights.

Your name to me is comfort, thoughtfulness and innocence.
It encapsulates a heart full of love,
a mind so curious.

It’s your name I call out when worried or scared
Your name in my prayers, forever, always.

RIKHIL

Your name means eternal, forever more
My infinite strength, of that I’m sure.

Your name to me is generosity, kindness and laughter
It’s syllables creating music, love ever after.

I seek out your name in times of despair
Your name on my lips, in my every prayer.

mommy.snippets

#Memes #BabyNames #MeaningfulNames #What’sInAName #NotesOnTheGo #IndianNames #SundayReflections #name #names

Jan 15, 2023 12:52:25 pm

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January There is something melancholic about January, isn’t there? After a bustling and cheerful month of December, comes January, reminding me of a wise and somber elder. A well respected one at that. You slowly get back to routine whilst the month seems to roll out before you like a never ending carpet. It is far too easy to get bogged down by uncertainty, monotony, or even boredom. If, like me, you are living in the west, the cold and dark winter in January doesn’t help either. So what can we do to make January a little more bearable? A tad less unlikeable? Read your favourite books/Call an old friend/Treat yourself to a second cup of coffee (or tea) /Paint, colour, and draw/Buy a house plant and tend to it/Buy new clothes and donate your old ones to charity/Find out your favourite family recipe and learn how to cook it/Go for long walks, preferably on your own/Soak yourself in a hot bath or shower/Look at old photographs/Do nothing on a Sunday/Say No to what sucks your energy/ Look at how far you’ve come/Be grateful Look at how far you’ve come/Be grateful Look at how far you’ve come/Be grateful mommy.snippets Pic @[100064614342830:2048:Pinterest] #January #NotesOnTheGo #Restore #Reset #WritingCommunity #BeGrateful #lookhowfaryouvecome

January

There is something melancholic about January, isn’t there? After a bustling and cheerful month of December, comes January, reminding me of a wise and somber elder. A well respected one at that. You slowly get back to routine whilst the month seems to roll out before you like a never ending carpet. It is far too easy to get bogged down by uncertainty, monotony, or even boredom. If, like me, you are living in the west, the cold and dark winter in January doesn’t help either. So what can we do to make January a little more bearable? A tad less unlikeable?

Read your favourite books/Call an old friend/Treat yourself to a second cup of coffee (or tea) /Paint, colour, and draw/Buy a house plant and tend to it/Buy new clothes and donate your old ones to charity/Find out your favourite family recipe and learn how to cook it/Go for long walks, preferably on your own/Soak yourself in a hot bath or shower/Look at old photographs/Do nothing on a Sunday/Say No to what sucks your energy/

Look at how far you’ve come/Be grateful

Look at how far you’ve come/Be grateful

Look at how far you’ve come/Be grateful

mommy.snippets

Pic Pinterest

#January #NotesOnTheGo #Restore #Reset #WritingCommunity #BeGrateful #lookhowfaryouvecome

Jan 14, 2023 12:15:41 pm

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Dear Reader I read this quote today and it really struck a chord with me. In this world of social media influencers, it is really easy to get influenced (Pun intended in every way) to run after likes, comments and so on. I’m not even going to go into paid campaigns and marketing ploys. As a writer, what matters to me is you, the reader. You who are devoting those two or three minutes from a busy day to reading what I have written. Time is precious, and I am becoming more and more aware of this as life passes me by. Facebook tells me that my engagement of a particular post was good. The engagement of the other was poor and so on and so forth. It also tries to bait me into paid campaigns to gain increased visibility. Of course I’m tempted at times, but then I think about you sitting there, reading my words, some of which may have touched you, others that may have prodded you to think and still others which you may have completely disagreed with. The fact that I am able to make some meaningful connections with you through my words is rewarding. Immensely so. I wonder if you have ever thought, oh how does she find the time to write? The answer, dear reader, lies with you. You, giving my words your two minutes of attention is what motivates me to write. You make it all worth it and I have nothing but gratitude. Thank you ,thank you ,thank you!! mommy.snippets #Writer #Reader #Reader #Gratitude #ThankYou #whyiwrite #WritingCommunity #YouMakeItWorthIt #KeepWriting #ThankYouForYourTime

Dear Reader

I read this quote today and it really struck a chord with me. In this world of social media influencers, it is really easy to get influenced (Pun intended in every way) to run after likes, comments and so on. I’m not even going to go into paid campaigns and marketing ploys.

As a writer, what matters to me is you, the reader. You who are devoting those two or three minutes from a busy day to reading what I have written. Time is precious, and I am becoming more and more aware of this as life passes me by.

Facebook tells me that my engagement of a particular post was good. The engagement of the other was poor and so on and so forth. It also tries to bait me into paid campaigns to gain increased visibility. Of course I’m tempted at times, but then I think about you sitting there, reading my words, some of which may have touched you, others that may have prodded you to think and still others which you may have completely disagreed with. The fact that I am able to make some meaningful connections with you through my words is rewarding. Immensely so.

I wonder if you have ever thought, oh how does she find the time to write? The answer, dear reader, lies with you. You, giving my words your two minutes of attention is what motivates me to write. You make it all worth it and I have nothing but gratitude. Thank you ,thank you ,thank you!!

mommy.snippets

#Writer #Reader #Reader #Gratitude #ThankYou #whyiwrite #WritingCommunity #YouMakeItWorthIt #KeepWriting #ThankYouForYourTime

Jan 12, 2023 9:55:43 am

Notes On The Go updated their status.

Hello lovely people! You can now reach me on notesonthego85@gmail.com with any feedback, anything in particular you want me to write about or to just say hello. I’d love to hear from you ❤️
Thank you for all your love!!

Jan 10, 2023 10:35:41 am

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Does Your Jewellery Have A Story To Tell? If you haven’t already guessed, I love silver jewelry. I especially look out for pieces that have some meaning or symbolism behind them. Charm bracelets in this regard are my favourite because you can recreate special memories through various charms that remind you of the people, places and occasions that are important to you . I draw a lot of strength from pieces of jewelry that mean something to me. The bracelet in the picture has the charms to represent my sons and niece. It also has a sand bucket and spade, a pretzel and the hamsa evil eye protection. The charms remind me of the first time that my sons met their baby cousin sister. The meeting was in Berlin where we visited my brother and his family. The Cousins played a lot in the sandpit and we also ate pretzels on our first day in Berlin. Today, I was missing my brother and his family, so apart from giving them a call I also brought this bracelet out of my jewellery box to remind me of this beautiful bond that we share. Do you have any special pieces of jewellery? I’d love to know! mommy.snippets @[100064696090773:2048:Pandora] #charmbracelets #bracelets #charms #notesonthego #pandora #berlin #cousins #specialjewellery

Does Your Jewellery Have A Story To Tell?

If you haven’t already guessed, I love silver jewelry. I especially look out for pieces that have some meaning or symbolism behind them. Charm bracelets in this regard are my favourite because you can recreate special memories through various charms that remind you of the people, places and occasions that are important to you . I draw a lot of strength from pieces of jewelry that mean something to me.

The bracelet in the picture has the charms to represent my sons and niece. It also has a sand bucket and spade, a pretzel and the hamsa evil eye protection. The charms remind me of the first time that my sons met their baby cousin sister. The meeting was in Berlin where we visited my brother and his family. The Cousins played a lot in the sandpit and we also ate pretzels on our first day in Berlin.

Today, I was missing my brother and his family, so apart from giving them a call I also brought this bracelet out of my jewellery box to remind me of this beautiful bond that we share.

Do you have any special pieces of jewellery? I’d love to know!

mommy.snippets

Pandora

#charmbracelets #bracelets #charms #notesonthego #pandora #berlin #cousins #specialjewellery

Jan 09, 2023 9:45:19 am

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Loving yourself You have to love yourself. There is no greater truth than this. Others might compliment you, fulfill your needs for socialisation and so on. However, you cannot depend on them to make yourself feel good. You need to love yourself enough to realise this. The key to your happiness can never lie with someone else , on something else . It has to lie with you, within you . There will be many instances in your life where you will end up doubting yourself, being disappointed in yourself and being far too hard on yourself. This is inevitable. However, what is important is coming out of this feeling of self loathing and quietly turning it into self love. This process of moving towards a state of loving yourself may look different for different people – from prioritising your own needs to being happy in one’s own company. There isn’t a checklist anywhere. But you know what? You will feel it when you fall in love with yourself and that’s when you will know that you have truly arrived. mommy.snippets #peace #selflovematters #selflove #notesonthego

Loving yourself

You have to love yourself. There is no greater truth than this. Others might compliment you, fulfill your needs for socialisation and so on. However, you cannot depend on them to make yourself feel good. You need to love yourself enough to realise this. The key to your happiness can never lie with someone else , on something else . It has to lie with you, within you .

There will be many instances in your life where you will end up doubting yourself, being disappointed in yourself and being far too hard on yourself. This is inevitable. However, what is important is coming out of this feeling of self loathing and quietly turning it into self love. This process of moving towards a state of loving yourself may look different for different people – from prioritising your own needs to being happy in one’s own company. There isn’t a checklist anywhere. But you know what? You will feel it when you fall in love with yourself and that’s when you will know that you have truly arrived.

mommy.snippets

#peace #selflovematters #selflove #notesonthego

Jan 06, 2023 3:38:56 pm

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Honoured to have one of my poems included in this anthology published by University of Mumbai

The text of the poem reads as follows:

What is peace?

At the end of a chaotic day when the both of you lie asleep in bed
Looking like cherubic angels
I sit beside you and stare at your eyelashes
So gracefully adorning your face.
It is then that I pick up my thoughts one by one as if I were plucking flowers
To make a beautiful bouquet
To carve out time for myself,
To feed my soul with words, away from the rigours of routine
To be in a state of sweet solitude
This is peace
A moment of quiet privilege

mommy.snippets

#motherhood #mumlife #mumpoet #peace

Jan 04, 2023 12:10:45 pm

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Of Resolutions & Such A new year, a new beginning, a fresh start. Making resolutions, promising yourself to not break them, preparing yourself to fall back into the rigours of routine. No more lie-ins on weekdays, no more sweet, baked goods for breakfast, no more of the excitement that December brings with it. It can all get quite overwhelming can’t it? This need to take stock of your life, this goal setting, keeping track of what you have done and what you need to do. But here’s the thing. You don’t need to do all of this life changing business right now . It is okay to hold onto the old whilst you slowly start adapting to the new. It is okay to pace yourself, give yourself the time you need. As the world around you is rushing past, it is absolutely okay to pause a while or even walk the other way. As long as you keep moving, moving closer to fulfilling your dreams. That’s what matters in the end , right? mommy.snippets #notesonthego #resolutions #keepmoving #takeyourtime #newyear #firstnote

Of Resolutions & Such

A new year, a new beginning, a fresh start. Making resolutions, promising yourself to not break them, preparing yourself to fall back into the rigours of routine. No more lie-ins on weekdays, no more sweet, baked goods for breakfast, no more of the excitement that December brings with it.

It can all get quite overwhelming can’t it? This need to take stock of your life, this goal setting, keeping track of what you have done and what you need to do. But here’s the thing. You don’t need to do all of this life changing business right now . It is okay to hold onto the old whilst you slowly start adapting to the new. It is okay to pace yourself, give yourself the time you need. As the world around you is rushing past, it is absolutely okay to pause a while or even walk the other way. As long as you keep moving, moving closer to fulfilling your dreams. That’s what matters in the end , right?

mommy.snippets

#notesonthego #resolutions #keepmoving #takeyourtime #newyear #firstnote

Jan 03, 2023 11:03:10 am

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31 December 2022 Dear R & R Today is the last day of 2022 and my last note to you both for this year. Of Firsts & Lasts There is something nostalgic, even melancholic about lasts, isn’t there? The last time you do something, say something, live something like today, for example the last day of the year 2022.A time for reflection and introspection. Looking back at the year and thinking about what it has given you, what you have given it. What was amazing about it? What could have been better? Were you kind and fair to others, more importantly to yourself? There is a lot to think about. Lasts also gently lead us to firsts. The first time you do something, say something, live something like tomorrow for example the first day of the year 2023. What will you do differently? What would you be grateful for? How will you prioritise what you need to do? It’s a new year, a new start. A new opportunity to begin again or to start from where you left off. Firsts and Lasts, two sides of the same coin. The coin of time which at once seems to stand still yet appears to change at the blink of an eye. mommy.snippets #decemberdiary #notesonthego #dearsons #lastday #lasts #firsts #gratitude

31 December 2022

Dear R & R

Today is the last day of 2022 and my last note to you both for this year.

Of Firsts & Lasts

There is something nostalgic, even melancholic about lasts, isn’t there? The last time you do something, say something, live something like today, for example the last day of the year 2022.A time for reflection and introspection. Looking back at the year and thinking about what it has given you, what you have given it. What was amazing about it? What could have been better? Were you kind and fair to others, more importantly to yourself? There is a lot to think about.

Lasts also gently lead us to firsts. The first time you do something, say something, live something like tomorrow for example the first day of the year 2023. What will you do differently? What would you be grateful for? How will you prioritise what you need to do? It’s a new year, a new start. A new opportunity to begin again or to start from where you left off.

Firsts and Lasts, two sides of the same coin. The coin of time which at once seems to stand still yet appears to change at the blink of an eye.

mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #notesonthego #dearsons #lastday #lasts #firsts #gratitude

Dec 31, 2022 12:07:30 pm

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28 December 2022 Holding On Dear Baby R We are currently toilet training you. You have just turned three . Your brother was out of his nappies well before this age. With him, I always had a planned agenda about when I would introduce solids to when is the optimal age to be toilet trained. We had a strict routine and a POA (plan of action) which worked splendidly. But with you, my darling, I seem to have adopted a much more relaxed pace. It is as if I am hanging on to your littleness , very selfishly. It’s like I don’t want you to stop needing me so soon, (or so it seems). So I let you linger on my lap for longer than necessary, I don’t admonish you when you still want your milk bottle. I secretly enjoy it when you want me by your side during bedtime. Earlier today you were trying to carry a heaving laundry basket up the stairs. I asked you politely to not carry it. You just turned around and said “I can do it. I’m 3 years old”. Once again reminding me about the deception of time. Stop growing up so fast, will you? mommy.snippets #decemberdiary #dearyoungerson #dearson #stopgrowingupsofast #youngest #secondborn

28 December 2022

Holding On

Dear Baby R

We are currently toilet training you. You have just turned three . Your brother was out of his nappies well before this age. With him, I always had a planned agenda about when I would introduce solids to when is the optimal age to be toilet trained. We had a strict routine and a POA (plan of action) which worked splendidly.

But with you, my darling, I seem to have adopted a much more relaxed pace. It is as if I am hanging on to your littleness , very selfishly. It’s like I don’t want you to stop needing me so soon, (or so it seems). So I let you linger on my lap for longer than necessary, I don’t admonish you when you still want your milk bottle. I secretly enjoy it when you want me by your side during bedtime.

Earlier today you were trying to carry a heaving laundry basket up the stairs. I asked you politely to not carry it. You just turned around and said “I can do it. I’m 3 years old”. Once again reminding me about the deception of time. Stop growing up so fast, will you?

mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #dearyoungerson #dearson #stopgrowingupsofast #youngest #secondborn

Dec 28, 2022 5:05:06 pm

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26 December 2022 Dear R & R Life has a way of teaching us lessons. Sometimes they are obvious and at other times they need to be inferred.  Let me share with you what this past year has taught me. I hope you find it useful when you are old enough to read and comprehend this note. 📝 11 LESSONS 📝 🍋Take one day at a time. Sometimes one hour at a time. And that’s okay. 🍋 If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t. 🍋 Walking away from toxic relationships does wonders for your mental health. 🍋 Never take those who love you for granted. 🍋Kindness is underrated. Recognise its power. 🍋 People who truly care will make the time to check in on you. 🍋 Never underestimate the importance of a hug. 🍋 When life gives you lemons, it’s okay to not make the damn lemonade. Throw them against the bloody wall if that makes you feel any better. 🍋 Innocence is precious, value it for as long as you can. 🍋 Music helps heal the soul. 🍋 Patience with yourself is hard to achieve, but well worth the effort in the end. mommy.snippets #decemberdiary #dearsons #lifelessons #Thankyou2022 

26 December 2022

Dear R & R

Life has a way of teaching us lessons. Sometimes they are obvious and at other times they need to be inferred. 

Let me share with you what this past year has taught me. I hope you find it useful when you are old enough to read and comprehend this note.

📝 11 LESSONS 📝

🍋Take one day at a time. Sometimes one hour at a time. And that’s okay.

🍋 If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t.

🍋 Walking away from toxic relationships does wonders for your mental health.

🍋 Never take those who love you for granted.

🍋Kindness is underrated. Recognise its power.

🍋 People who truly care will make the time to check in on you.

🍋 Never underestimate the importance of a hug.

🍋 When life gives you lemons, it’s okay to not make the damn lemonade. Throw them against the bloody wall if that makes you feel any better.

🍋 Innocence is precious, value it for as long as you can.

🍋 Music helps heal the soul.

🍋 Patience with yourself is hard to achieve, but well worth the effort in the end.

mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #dearsons #lifelessons #Thankyou2022


Dec 26, 2022 4:55:18 pm

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Dear R & R Today I will share with you a poem that I wrote after being inspired by a poem I read via @[100069834219360:2048:LitBowl] Little R, you are in Year 1 and were definitely on my mind when writing ❤️ What you missed that day you were absent from first grade ❤️ Mrs DeMello, repeating your name, three times because she couldn’t believe that you were absent Your desk partner being paired with another girl for PE and she being devastated that they lost a race. That girl, with curly hair and a slight lisp, having the courage to answer the question that Mrs DeMello asked the class. A box of bright red cherries that one of your classmates brought to school in her snack box. Learning that silent letters exist in the English language and mulling over this with innocent wonderment The girl who everyone wants to be friends with asking where you were Mrs Demello giving the whole class a big star in the school calendar for queuing up beautifully during morning assembly Your best friend’s birthday ©️mommy.snippets #decemberdiary #notesonthego #year1 #school #schoolpoem #grade1 #afterpoem

Dear R & R

Today I will share with you a poem that I wrote after being inspired by a poem I read via LitBowl

Little R, you are in Year 1 and were definitely on my mind when writing

❤️ What you missed that day you were absent from first grade ❤️

Mrs DeMello, repeating your name, three times because she couldn’t believe that you were absent

Your desk partner being paired with another girl for PE and she being devastated that they lost a race.

That girl, with curly hair and a slight lisp, having the courage to answer the question that Mrs DeMello asked the class.

A box of bright red cherries that one of your classmates brought to school in her snack box.

Learning that silent letters exist in the English language and mulling over this with innocent wonderment

The girl who everyone wants to be friends with asking where you were

Mrs Demello giving the whole class a big star in the school calendar for queuing up beautifully during morning assembly

Your best friend’s birthday

©️mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #notesonthego #year1 #school #schoolpoem #grade1 #afterpoem

Dec 22, 2022 3:53:32 pm

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20 December 2022 Dear R & R We went away on a mini getaway, just the four of us. Good food, the outdoors and loads of family time. In the 2 days that we were away, you saw me typing away on my phone. You both asked me at different times what I was doing and I explained to you that I was writing. “You’re always writing!” one of you said rather bored. Let me tell you now why I write. Writing is my passion and I truly hope you too find yourself a creative passion. Dancing, singing, music, art to name but a few. Find something that soothes your soul and pursue it with such ferocity that it becomes a kind of madness. Something that you won’t have to make the time for as you will find yourself doing it as effortlessly as breathing (not exaggerating to make a point). Something that will make you feel alive. So find it and keep it really close to your soul. I can’t wait for the day to ask you the same question. I’m sure your answer will be enlightening! ©️mommy.snippets #notesonthego. #decemberdiary. #passion #writing #FindYourPassion

20 December 2022

Dear R & R

We went away on a mini getaway, just the four of us. Good food, the outdoors and loads of family time. In the 2 days that we were away, you saw me typing away on my phone. You both asked me at different times what I was doing and I explained to you that I was writing. “You’re always writing!” one of you said rather bored. Let me tell you now why I write.

Writing is my passion and I truly hope you too find yourself a creative passion. Dancing, singing, music, art to name but a few. Find something that soothes your soul and pursue it with such ferocity that it becomes a kind of madness. Something that you won’t have to make the time for as you will find yourself doing it as effortlessly as breathing (not exaggerating to make a point). Something that will make you feel alive. So find it and keep it really close to your soul. I can’t wait for the day to ask you the same question. I’m sure your answer will be enlightening!

©️mommy.snippets

#notesonthego. #decemberdiary. #passion #writing #FindYourPassion

Dec 20, 2022 5:09:53 pm

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Dear R & R Today I want to tell you about some precious friendships and hope that you are blessed with them as you grow up. Those Friendships You know those friendships? Where you feel as if you have walked into your own home when you walk into theirs? With whom time seems to zoom ahead faster than the speed of light? Where you can be yourself without any hesitation? With whom your children are safe and sound? Where silence is as effortless as conversation? Hold on tightly to those friendships. Nurture them with patience. Tend to them as you would your children – with love, empathy and brevity. And never ever take them for granted. Be genuinely grateful for their presence in your life. After all, they make it worthwhile don’t they? ©mommy.snippets #decemberdiary #notesonthego #friendship #friendslikefamily #gratitude

Dear R & R

Today I want to tell you about some precious friendships and hope that you are blessed with them as you grow up.

Those Friendships

You know those friendships? Where you feel as if you have walked into your own home when you walk into theirs? With whom time seems to zoom ahead faster than the speed of light? Where you can be yourself without any hesitation? With whom your children are safe and sound? Where silence is as effortless as conversation?

Hold on tightly to those friendships. Nurture them with patience. Tend to them as you would your children – with love, empathy and brevity. And never ever take them for granted. Be genuinely grateful for their presence in your life. After all, they make it worthwhile don’t they?

©mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #notesonthego #friendship #friendslikefamily #gratitude

Dec 18, 2022 11:37:13 am

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December Diary 12 & 13 December 2022 Dear R & R 12 December Come December and I begin using Santa and his lists to get you both to do your daily chores. Wait, let me rephrase that. I am guilty of using Santa. It works splendidly well (for now). You both definitely want to be on his good list and not on his naughty list. This morning, I have been asking you both to brush your teeth, but you have been far too distracted playing with each other and generally pretending not to listen. So I fall back on my old friend Santa. The minute I ask whether or not you want to be on his good list, you exclaim yes in unison and eagerly begin brushing your teeth. “Mummy sing for us” Little R you request me. Which song I ask. “You better watch out, you better not cry” you tell me. So I humour you with my rendition of Santa Claus is coming to town making this a sing along brushing session. Then suddenly Baby R you ask me seriously “Is Santa real mummy?” Before I can think of an answer, Little R you say “Of course he is silly!” And your big brother’s word seems to have satisfied you. I breathe a sigh of relief, enjoying this magic of Christmas while it lasts. 13 December We wake up to a snowy morning. The roads are treacherous to drive on so we decide to stay home. A discussion about Santa from last night continues this morning. Little R, you ask me why Santa is sometimes thin and sometimes fat? Does he only visit us on Christmas Day or does he also come in before that to say hello? I try to answer these questions to the best of my ability, mindful of the fact that I need to play along and facilitate your imagination. “Well”, I say “Santa might just decide to visit our house if you have been good little boys”. You both seem very excited about this prospect. Later that evening as we are finishing dinner, we hear sleigh bells ringing and the tune of jingle bells through our windows. You both are extremely excited and rush to the main door to see whether Santa has actually turned up. As soon as you spot him down our road, you are jumping with pure joy and excitement. When he comes knocking on our door, he hands you some candy and asks you if you have been good and you both confidently say “yes yes”. What would you like for Christmas he asks you. “Toys” you both say, making Santa’s job a tad easy! mommy.snippets #decemberdiary #notesonthego #gratitude #santa #magicalchristmas #issantareal

December Diary

12 & 13 December 2022

Dear R & R

12 December

Come December and I begin using Santa and his lists to get you both to do your daily chores. Wait, let me rephrase that. I am guilty of using Santa. It works splendidly well (for now). You both definitely want to be on his good list and not on his naughty list. This morning, I have been asking you both to brush your teeth, but you have been far too distracted playing with each other and generally pretending not to listen. So I fall back on my old friend Santa.

The minute I ask whether or not you want to be on his good list, you exclaim yes in unison and eagerly begin brushing your teeth. “Mummy sing for us” Little R you request me. Which song I ask. “You better watch out, you better not cry” you tell me. So I humour you with my rendition of Santa Claus is coming to town making this a sing along brushing session. Then suddenly Baby R you ask me seriously “Is Santa real mummy?” Before I can think of an answer, Little R you say “Of course he is silly!” And your big brother’s word seems to have satisfied you. I breathe a sigh of relief, enjoying this magic of Christmas while it lasts.

13 December

We wake up to a snowy morning. The roads are treacherous to drive on so we decide to stay home. A discussion about Santa from last night continues this morning. Little R, you ask me why Santa is sometimes thin and sometimes fat? Does he only visit us on Christmas Day or does he also come in before that to say hello? I try to answer these questions to the best of my ability, mindful of the fact that I need to play along and facilitate your imagination. “Well”, I say “Santa might just decide to visit our house if you have been good little boys”. You both seem very excited about this prospect.

Later that evening as we are finishing dinner, we hear sleigh bells ringing and the tune of jingle bells through our windows. You both are extremely excited and rush to the main door to see whether Santa has actually turned up. As soon as you spot him down our road, you are jumping with pure joy and excitement. When he comes knocking on our door, he hands you some candy and asks you if you have been good and you both confidently say “yes yes”. What would you like for Christmas he asks you. “Toys” you both say, making Santa’s job a tad easy!

mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #notesonthego #gratitude #santa #magicalchristmas #issantareal

Dec 16, 2022 11:22:37 am

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Dear R & R 10 December “These long days will melt away into hours”, “the days are long but the years are short “. I did not believe a word of these sentences which were doled out to me like platitudes during the intense yet beautiful newborn phase. But today, when I look back at the time when both of you were newborns, I am beginning to see some truth in these words. Nowadays, I catch myself staring at you , grateful for your littleness, your innocence and the sheer joy you bring to my life. Of course there are moments of absolute disarray where I find myself caught in the whirlwind of activity and chaos that often ensues. But I hope that you will always remember the laughter and not the tears when you look back at your childhood. 11 December It’s snowing here today. It’s always so magical isn’t it? Much like your childhood, I’d like to think. So here’s something I wrote today I want to put our memories in a snow globe A reminder of this magical time Your littleness and I ©️mommy.snippets #december #decemberdiary #notesonthego #littleness

Dear R & R

10 December

“These long days will melt away into hours”, “the days are long but the years are short “.

I did not believe a word of these sentences which were doled out to me like platitudes during the intense yet beautiful newborn phase. But today, when I look back at the time when both of you were newborns, I am beginning to see some truth in these words. Nowadays, I catch myself staring at you , grateful for your littleness, your innocence and the sheer joy you bring to my life. Of course there are moments of absolute disarray where I find myself caught in the whirlwind of activity and chaos that often ensues. But I hope that you will always remember the laughter and not the tears when you look back at your childhood.

11 December

It’s snowing here today. It’s always so magical isn’t it? Much like your childhood, I’d like to think. So here’s something I wrote today

I want to put our memories in a snow globe
A reminder of this magical time
Your littleness and I

©️mommy.snippets

#december #decemberdiary #notesonthego #littleness

Dec 13, 2022 2:30:08 pm

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What I would like you to know about Parkinson’s disease It is a complicated condition affecting the brain and consequently various functions of the body. Every person’s experience of the condition is different because it manifests itself differently in different people. It is degenerative in nature, which means that it gets worse over time. So, saying things like get well soon, this too, shall pass et cetera, are more hurtful than helpful, even if it has been said with good intention. Parkinson’s disease robs you of many things. It is after your independence so fighting to retain control and independence in daily life is a challenge. I will ask for help if I need it. There are good days and bad days with the condition. This means that on some days symptoms are manageable but on other days, they are almost unbearable. Sometimes symptoms vary in the severity in the course of the day. So, if I am able to carry out a particular task in the morning, it does not guarantee that I will be able to carry it out again in the next couple of hours or that same evening either. Rest and sleep are as important as exercise and medication to slow the progression of this nasty condition. There are a host of cognitive and mental symptoms associated with the condition. Dementia and depression for example. The condition forces you to make a decision by throwing you in the deep end of the pool. It’s up to you whether you sink or swim. It is important to acknowledge the bad days as much as it is important to really celebrate the good ones. The key however is do not dwell on the bad days but to just ride the wave hoping for a better day tomorrow. Finally, please be kind and give grace. Some of us have to try hard to accomplish everyday tasks. We are trying. I promise. #parkinsonsdisease #notesonthego #yopd #pdaawareness

What I would like you to know about Parkinson’s disease

It is a complicated condition affecting the brain and consequently various functions of the body.

Every person’s experience of the condition is different because it manifests itself differently in different people.

It is degenerative in nature, which means that it gets worse over time. So, saying things like get well soon, this too, shall pass et cetera, are more hurtful than helpful, even if it has been said with good intention.

Parkinson’s disease robs you of many things. It is after your independence so fighting to retain control and independence in daily life is a challenge. I will ask for help if I need it.

There are good days and bad days with the condition. This means that on some days symptoms are manageable but on other days, they are almost unbearable. Sometimes symptoms vary in the severity in the course of the day. So, if I am able to carry out a particular task in the morning, it does not guarantee that I will be able to carry it out again in the next couple of hours or that same evening either.

Rest and sleep are as important as exercise and medication to slow the progression of this nasty condition.

There are a host of cognitive and mental symptoms associated with the condition.
Dementia and depression for example.

The condition forces you to make a decision by throwing you in the deep end of the pool. It’s up to you whether you sink or swim.

It is important to acknowledge the bad days as much as it is important to really celebrate the good ones. The key however is do not dwell on the bad days but to just ride the wave hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Finally, please be kind and give grace. Some of us have to try hard to accomplish everyday tasks. We are trying. I promise.

#parkinsonsdisease #notesonthego #yopd #pdaawareness

Dec 11, 2022 10:51:35 am

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Dear Little R Today was a difficult day for me symptoms wise. The stiffness in my body, especially in my toes was making it difficult for me to persevere . I looked at a huge pile of clothes that needed folding and said to myself, Oh gosh, how on earth would I do this today? I then left the bedroom and went to the kitchen to start dinner. When I came back to the bedroom, I saw you standing by the bed folding clothes and sorting them out into little piles. You, my dearest child picked up on the fact that I wasn’t feeling hundred percent well and decided to help me out. This level of empathy in a five year old is nothing short of a powerful gift. I sometimes feel that you are my angel in disguise. And when I count my blessings, I always count you twice. ©️mommy.snippets #blessedwiththebest #gratitude #decemberdiary #parkinsonsdisease

Dear Little R

Today was a difficult day for me symptoms wise. The stiffness in my body, especially in my toes was making it difficult for me to persevere . I looked at a huge pile of clothes that needed folding and said to myself, Oh gosh, how on earth would I do this today? I then left the bedroom and went to the kitchen to start dinner.

When I came back to the bedroom, I saw you standing by the bed folding clothes and sorting them out into little piles. You, my dearest child picked up on the fact that I wasn’t feeling hundred percent well and decided to help me out. This level of empathy in a five year old is nothing short of a powerful gift. I sometimes feel that you are my angel in disguise. And when I count my blessings, I always count you twice.

©️mommy.snippets

#blessedwiththebest #gratitude #decemberdiary #parkinsonsdisease

Dec 10, 2022 6:37:17 pm

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Dear R & R

4.30pm. The both of you were making a lot of noise and generally being naughty. I had to think of something quick to engage your little minds and hands. Diy Christmas cards it was!

Card paper, stickers, glitter, coloured pens came tumbling out of the arts and crafts drawer. Y’all got to work and how! Folding, sticking, colouring. Not a word was heard except “wow” that was mutually said in genuine appreciation. I stood there just taking in this rare moment of quiet.

“Play some Christmas songs Mummy” you said to me Little R. And you both magically sat still for a full 30 minutes as “It’s a holly jolly Christmas, it’s the best time of the year” played in the background. I couldn’t agree more. Well, for now!!!

©️mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #christmas2022 #cardmaking #quiettime #enjoywhileitlasts #gratitude #dearsons

Dec 08, 2022 6:50:02 pm

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Dear Little R

6 December

Tomorrow is your first carol singing concert. I am sorry I can’t attend. You have been so excited about this performance and it breaks my heart to not be there in the audience cheering you on. You have been practicing the singing and dancing discreetly as “It’s a surprise for you Mummy, don’t seeeee”. You have also been teaching these songs to Baby R who is quick to learn and join in the fun. “We are excited for Christmas Mummy!” you both exclaim in glee, adding cheer to my somber state of mind.

7 December

The day has arrived! You wake up in a very good mood and get ready for school without any fuss. You remind me about packing your lunchbox and are very specific about its contents. I want to give you my full attention but Baby R is making a fuss about his breakfast. Once you are ready to set off for school, I say sorry that I won’t be there but your Dad will. “I know that Mummy” you say, “You need to look after Baby R but don’t worry, I will sing for you when i get back home”. And just like that you my sweetheart make my day.

mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #motherhood #blessed #DearSon #notesonthego #singing #christmas2022 #carols

Dec 07, 2022 1:04:30 pm

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R & R

I came across a quote today. It’s just what I needed to read. Let me share it with you:

“To love a child is the greatest terror there is. It’s a lifetime of worrying yourself sick over every move they make. It is a torture and an immense joy all at once. – Asha Lemmie”

This paradoxical feeling is hard to explain to you but let me try. Today the both of you were running around the house, chasing each other, screaming and shouting intermittently. Sometimes you would go at extremely high speeds and at other times you would jump over small obstacles like the coffee table and so on. At this moment, I was extremely worried that an accident would occur,putting either one or both of you at risk.

Your dad as usual asked me to stop worrying and that you both will be fine. I tried to take his advice on board and whilst I was creating worst case scenarios in my head, I heard you both laughing loudly, its echo resounding energetically through the house. And at that second I had no option but to also burst out laughing.

So yes torture and joy all at once.

©️mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #notesonthego #paradox #motherhood

Dec 06, 2022 11:45:44 am

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Dear R & R

Today has been an odd day – fun moments playing with your Ajja (grandpa) interspersed with the realisation that your grandparents will be returning to India tomorrow. They have been with us for over a month now and you are both used to having them around. The house will suddenly become quiet. We will go back to our old routine as a family of four.

Goodbyes are tough, aren’t they?. So, we did the next best thing and set up our Christmas tree. The both of you along with your dad decorated the tree with lights and baubles . The excitement on your faces when the tree was lit up was beautiful to watch. But do you know what was equally endearing? Your excitement, reflecting in the voices and faces of your grandparents.

The most wonderful time of the year? Indeed!!

©️mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #grandparents #goodbyes #notesonthego

Dec 04, 2022 8:40:26 pm

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Dear Little R You have always been a fiercely independent child. I wonder whether this ability developed in tandem with me slowly beginning to lose my own. Wearing your own socks, buttoning your own coat, eating by yourself- all of this at a very young age. Today, I have come to rely on you to help me look after baby R.Sometimes I have to remind myself that you are only five. This morning, I was struggling with slowness of movement. So, my daily morning chores took longer than usual. I was constantly worried about the both of you, wondering what you were up to. Imagine my absolute relief when I was welcomed by the most heartwarming sight . You, reading to baby R. I have said this before, and I’ll say it again. You truly light up my life my dearest child. Never failing to live up to your name – Ronak. ©️mommy.snippets #decemberdiary #writingcommunity #littleR #lightofmylife #december #bestbigbrotherever #parkinsonsdisease

Dear Little R

You have always been a fiercely independent child. I wonder whether this ability developed in tandem with me slowly beginning to lose my own. Wearing your own socks, buttoning your own coat, eating by yourself- all of this at a very young age.

Today, I have come to rely on you to help me look after baby R.Sometimes I have to remind myself that you are only five. This morning, I was struggling with slowness of movement. So, my daily morning chores took longer than usual. I was constantly worried about the both of you, wondering what you were up to. Imagine my absolute relief when I was welcomed by the most heartwarming sight . You, reading to baby R.

I have said this before, and I’ll say it again. You truly light up my life my dearest child. Never failing to live up to your name – Ronak.

©️mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #writingcommunity #littleR #lightofmylife #december #bestbigbrotherever #parkinsonsdisease

Dec 03, 2022 10:19:30 pm

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Dear Baby R

You are 3 today.

3, what a glorious age! What a curious age!

“I am so happy mummy” you said to me when we sat together on the sofa. Me reading your favourite books. I was amazed by how you are able to articulate your feelings so well at such a young age.

My best friend sent you a lovely toy for your birthday. You asked me a few times about who sent you the gift. After some time you came up to me and said, “I want to say thank you to S Maasi “ Your emotional prudence once again leaving me misty eyed.

3, what a glorious age! What a curious age!

©️mommy.snippets

#decemberdiary #DecemberDiaries #motherhood #babyR #writingcommunity #notesonthego

Dec 02, 2022 9:29:28 pm

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December is almost always a memorable month. In this little writing project I will try to capture its essence via snippets of letters to my sons. Here goes! Dear Baby R Yes, I still call you that. Despite knowing full well that you will turn three tomorrow. Normally, we would be very excited about the celebrations for your birthday. However, thanks to the flu you have been unwell and there is a lull in the house. I am trying to revive the spirit of celebration by reminding your father that we need to decorate the house and so on. This is your first celebration with your grandparents and so I want to make it special for you and for them. Whilst I contemplate, I suddenly hear you singing, happy birthday to me, softly to yourself. It’s all the push I need, to look forward to tomorrow with optimism. #december #decemberdiaries #decemberdiary #motherhood #letterstomysons #writingcommunity #babyR #gratitude #notesonthego

December is almost always a memorable month. In this little writing project I will try to capture its essence via snippets of letters to my sons. Here goes!

Dear Baby R

Yes, I still call you that. Despite knowing full well that you will turn three tomorrow. Normally, we would be very excited about the celebrations for your birthday. However, thanks to the flu you have been unwell and there is a lull in the house. I am trying to revive the spirit of celebration by reminding your father that we need to decorate the house and so on. This is your first celebration with your grandparents and so I want to make it special for you and for them. Whilst I contemplate, I suddenly hear you singing, happy birthday to me, softly to yourself. It’s all the push I need, to look forward to tomorrow with optimism.

#december #decemberdiaries #decemberdiary #motherhood #letterstomysons #writingcommunity #babyR #gratitude #notesonthego

Dec 01, 2022 10:42:38 pm

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Bath time Dear R and R, You both enjoy playing in the bathtub more than actually having a wash. I don’t blame you as you have so many bath toys from ducks to books! Nowadays you both play together and even end up squabbling in the bath. Today, you were filling your mouth with tap water and spitting it out at each other. There were squeals of delight and non stop laughter. I told you both off yes but deep down I was secretly enjoying this bond that you share. So after a polite request to stop, I stopped requesting. For one day when we look back, aren’t these the very moments that become happy childhood memories? Who am I to steal them from you? mommy.snippets #notesonthego #childhood #memories #bathtime

Bath time

Dear R and R,

You both enjoy playing in the bathtub more than actually having a wash. I don’t blame you as you have so many bath toys from ducks to books! Nowadays you both play together and even end up squabbling in the bath. Today, you were filling your mouth with tap water and spitting it out at each other. There were squeals of delight and non stop laughter. I told you both off yes but deep down I was secretly enjoying this bond that you share.

So after a polite request to stop, I stopped requesting. For one day when we look back, aren’t these the very moments that become happy childhood memories? Who am I to steal them from you?

mommy.snippets

#notesonthego #childhood #memories #bathtime

Nov 28, 2022 11:23:52 pm

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Dear Parkinson’s I can’t believe I am writing you a thank you note but lets just say that you’ve made life interesting, shall we? Thank you Parkinson’s for you made me fearless. I used to be conscious, self-conscious to be precise, of the way I looked, the way I spoke, the way I sang, the way I danced. But now I don’t care. And it’s all thanks to you. You made me realise the absolute ability and beauty of my body and taught me that it can change overnight. You helped me understand the importance of the self, a notion that we are often taught to deprioritise thanks to the warped socialisation process. So thank you. It is only because of you that I have renewed self-confidence, something that people would not have associated with me say 10 years ago.You’ve taught me how to live in the moment, to appreciate the ordinary things for they are in fact the extraordinary things when you look back in retrospect . I learnt this the hard way of course but then isn’t that what you taught me too ? To be grateful? Also before I forget, Parkinson’s, you’ve taught me patience, loads of patience. Eating a damn meal with cutlery has become cumbersome these days but when I am able to do that with oodles of patience I am ecstatic. So thank you for this virtue that I thought I would never have mastered in this life at least. Finally you taught me the value of time and how we need to make the most of it. So here’s me trying to live every moment to its fullest because I just cannot trust tomorrow. Yours Snehal #notesonthego #Thanksgiving #gratitude #parkinsonsdisease

Dear Parkinson’s

I can’t believe I am writing you a thank you note but lets just say that you’ve made life interesting, shall we?

Thank you Parkinson’s for you made me fearless. I used to be conscious, self-conscious to be precise, of the way I looked, the way I spoke, the way I sang, the way I danced. But now I don’t care. And it’s all thanks to you. You made me realise the absolute ability and beauty of my body and taught me that it can change overnight. You helped me understand the importance of the self, a notion that we are often taught to deprioritise thanks to the warped socialisation process. So thank you.

It is only because of you that I have renewed self-confidence, something that people would not have associated with me say 10 years ago.You’ve taught me how to live in the moment, to appreciate the ordinary things for they are in fact the extraordinary things when you look back in retrospect . I learnt this the hard way of course but then isn’t that what you taught me too ? To be grateful?

Also before I forget, Parkinson’s, you’ve taught me patience, loads of patience. Eating a damn meal with cutlery has become cumbersome these days but when I am able to do that with oodles of patience I am ecstatic. So thank you for this virtue that I thought I would never have mastered in this life at least.

Finally you taught me the value of time and how we need to make the most of it. So here’s me trying to live every moment to its fullest because I just cannot trust tomorrow.

Yours

Snehal

#notesonthego #Thanksgiving #gratitude #parkinsonsdisease

Nov 24, 2022 11:35:09 pm

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I recently read a poem on @[100069834219360:2048:LitBowl] about death where death is personified as a little girl. Here’s my ‘after’ poem. I’m including the original in the comments section. #death #personification #notesonthego #poetry

I recently read a poem on LitBowl about death where death is personified as a little girl. Here’s my ‘after’ poem. I’m including the original in the comments section.

#death #personification #notesonthego #poetry

Nov 22, 2022 2:23:10 pm

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Apathy What’s worse than lack of empathy? Apathy. The Oxford dictionary defines apathy as “lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern”. As an empathetic person I find this aspect of human expression or lack of it extremely hard to contend with. The absence of reciprocation being a fairly important reason. As humans we are instinctively seeking two way communication and when this doesn’t happen we do find it unnerving. It’s so amusing that people take readily but those same people are reluctant to give. As an observer of human behaviour this is fascinating but to be dealing with apathetic behaviour personally is a different matter altogether. So if you are an empath like me how do you deal with apathy? Here are a few things that help me: Reach out a few times by giving the other person the benefit of doubt. If there’s still no response, leave it. It’s not worth worrying about. Surround yourself with people who you love and those who love you. This will help focus your attention on those who really matter. Exercise! Walk, run, bike, swim. Exercise helps release happy chemicals in the brain like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. These help regulate mood and lend a different, often more positive perspective. Develop a hobby which will help channelise your emotional responses in a more constructive manner: be it painting, writing, craft etc. The creative output will bring you more joy and fulfilment than you imagined. Focus on yourself as much as possible. As empaths we give far too much time to others’ feelings by over thinking and overanalysing. Try to shift this attention on yourself. It helps tremendously to take attention away from your energy drainers I.e. apathetic people. Recent life events have given me new perspective on life and relationships. So I am immensely grateful. Every cloud does indeed have a silver lining. #notesonthego #apathy #BeKind #itsnotrocketscience

Apathy

What’s worse than lack of empathy? Apathy. The Oxford dictionary defines apathy as “lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern”. As an empathetic person I find this aspect of human expression or lack of it extremely hard to contend with. The absence of reciprocation being a fairly important reason. As humans we are instinctively seeking two way communication and when this doesn’t happen we do find it unnerving.

It’s so amusing that people take readily but those same people are reluctant to give. As an observer of human behaviour this is fascinating but to be dealing with apathetic behaviour personally is a different matter altogether.

So if you are an empath like me how do you deal with apathy? Here are a few things that help me:

Reach out a few times by giving the other person the benefit of doubt. If there’s still no response, leave it. It’s not worth worrying about.

Surround yourself with people who you love and those who love you. This will help focus your attention on those who really matter.

Exercise! Walk, run, bike, swim. Exercise helps release happy chemicals in the brain like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. These help regulate mood and lend a different, often more positive perspective.

Develop a hobby which will help channelise your emotional responses in a more constructive manner: be it painting, writing, craft etc. The creative output will bring you more joy and fulfilment than you imagined.

Focus on yourself as much as possible. As empaths we give far too much time to others’ feelings by over thinking and overanalysing. Try to shift this attention on yourself. It helps tremendously to take attention away from your energy drainers I.e. apathetic people.

Recent life events have given me new perspective on life and relationships. So I am immensely grateful. Every cloud does indeed have a silver lining.

#notesonthego #apathy #BeKind #itsnotrocketscience

Nov 20, 2022 8:18:08 pm

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What ‘being taken for granted ‘ feels like It feels like the deep blue ocean, ever present, whole. You keep doing, keep giving. Doing, giving. Giving, doing. It feels like that nerdy kid in school who is accidentally passed over for a place in the school’s quiz club. You keep doing, keep giving. Doing, giving. Giving, doing. It feels like a fistful of grass that a toddler has carelessly plucked. You keep doing, keep giving. Doing, giving. Giving, doing. It feels like the music being played when you’re put on hold over the telephone.. You keep doing, keep giving. Doing, giving. Giving, doing. It makes you feel like a fool for putting in tremendous effort without even a hint of acknowledgment. You keep doing, keep giving. Doing, giving. Giving, doing. ©mommy.snippets #notesonthego #takenforgranted #begrateful #allthefeels

What ‘being taken for granted ‘ feels like

It feels like the deep blue ocean, ever present, whole. You keep doing, keep giving. Doing, giving. Giving, doing.

It feels like that nerdy kid in school who is accidentally passed over for a place in the school’s quiz club. You keep doing, keep giving. Doing, giving. Giving, doing.

It feels like a fistful of grass that a toddler has carelessly plucked. You keep doing, keep giving. Doing, giving. Giving, doing.

It feels like the music being played when you’re put on hold over the telephone.. You keep doing, keep giving. Doing, giving. Giving, doing.

It makes you feel like a fool for putting in tremendous effort without even a hint of acknowledgment. You keep doing, keep giving. Doing, giving. Giving, doing.

©mommy.snippets

#notesonthego #takenforgranted #begrateful #allthefeels

Nov 16, 2022 10:10:00 pm

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The Wonder Years Memories of my childhood are always lurking behind the curtains of my mind. They only need a smell, a sound or a sight to be evoked and brought to the centre stage of my ever bustling mind. In moments like this, I offer them the limelight for they deserve every bit of it. Sometimes a memory is like the lead actor or actress running the show, drawing in the crowds. At other times a memory is like one of the supporting cast – absolutely necessary but needs the right scene to make an appearance. Some memories I dance the tango with, with others I sing a joyful chorus and still others lead me into a state of sombre reflection. But every memory from my childhood brings with it a warm blanket that I reach out to every time I feel a little desolate and low. I allow my mind to dwell in those wonder years. Cajoling, sighîng, peace. #notesonthego #childhoodmemories #childhood #mind #stage

The Wonder Years

Memories of my childhood are always lurking behind the curtains of my mind. They only need a smell, a sound or a sight to be evoked and brought to the centre stage of my ever bustling mind. In moments like this, I offer them the limelight for they deserve every bit of it. Sometimes a memory is like the lead actor or actress running the show, drawing in the crowds. At other times a memory is like one of the supporting cast – absolutely necessary but needs the right scene to make an appearance. Some memories I dance the tango with, with others I sing a joyful chorus and still others lead me into a state of sombre reflection.

But every memory from my childhood brings with it a warm blanket that I reach out to every time I feel a little desolate and low. I allow my mind to dwell in those wonder years. Cajoling, sighîng, peace.

#notesonthego #childhoodmemories #childhood #mind #stage

Nov 14, 2022 11:28:25 am

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Home Personified I fell asleep on your shoulder last night. As I determinedly tried to keep my eyes open to watch our current favourite show, sleep washed over me as if it were high tide at sea. The best part is that you let me rest there for a while. My head ably supported, my body almost melting into yours. I awoke only after what felt like hours together but you told me it was just 15mins. The most soothing 15mins I’ve experienced in a long time. Earlier today I read somewhere that home need not always be a place, it can also be a person. And you my darling, are mine. ©mommy.snippets #notesonthego #homeisaperson #home #rest #gratitude

Home Personified

I fell asleep on your shoulder last night. As I determinedly tried to keep my eyes open to watch our current favourite show, sleep washed over me as if it were high tide at sea. The best part is that you let me rest there for a while. My head ably supported, my body almost melting into yours. I awoke only after what felt like hours together but you told me it was just 15mins.
The most soothing 15mins I’ve experienced in a long time.

Earlier today I read somewhere that home need not always be a place, it can also be a person. And you my darling, are mine.

©mommy.snippets

#notesonthego #homeisaperson #home #rest #gratitude

Nov 12, 2022 5:23:23 pm

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Painted Toenails My toes were particularly bad today. The stiffness was extremely hard to manage with my toes refusing to straighten up on their own. I had to get on with all the daily chores that a mum of two young children has on her plate. I remember hobbling through most of the day trying to take things off my to do list. all the time being painfully aware of my stubborn toes. So, when your dad came back from work I was sitting on the bed massaging my toes and he asked whether I was alright. I told him that it was a hard day and droned on about how unfair it all is. You were standing there listening to our conversation and suddenly you said “I know why your toes are hurting mummy” with concern in your eyes. I was slightly taken aback and wondered what you had figured out. I asked you to tell me what was on your mind and you very seriously said, “your toes are hurting because you have not changed your toe nail colour. I had asked you to paint them turquoise but you chose red. Next time, please choose turquoise Mummy and then your toes won’t hurt anymore”. At that moment I was overcome with so much love for you that I hugged you close. Your innocence is so precious, child. “If only it were that easy” I said to myself, hoping that tomorrow will be a better day. mommy.snippets #notesonthego #innocence #parkinsons #dystoniaawareness 

Painted Toenails

My toes were particularly bad today. The stiffness was extremely hard to manage with my toes refusing to straighten up on their own. I had to get on with all the daily chores that a mum of two young children has on her plate. I remember hobbling through most of the day trying to take things off my to do list. all the time being painfully aware of my stubborn toes. So, when your dad came back from work I was sitting on the bed massaging my toes and he asked whether I was alright. I told him that it was a hard day and droned on about how unfair it all is.

You were standing there listening to our conversation and suddenly you said “I know why your toes are hurting mummy” with concern in your eyes. I was slightly taken aback and wondered what you had figured out. I asked you to tell me what was on your mind and you very seriously said, “your toes are hurting because you have not changed your toe nail colour. I had asked you to paint them turquoise but you chose red. Next time, please choose turquoise Mummy and then your toes won’t hurt anymore”. At that moment I was overcome with so much love for you that I hugged you close. Your innocence is so precious, child. “If only it were that easy” I said to myself, hoping that tomorrow will be a better day.

mommy.snippets

#notesonthego #innocence #parkinsons #dystoniaawareness 

Nov 11, 2022 11:29:41 am

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Girlfriends A lot has been said about female friendships. Of how you must keep your girlfriends close. Sisters before misters and all that. But a lot more needs to be said about the power of female friendships and its ability to constantly shine whether it be a sunny day or a rainy stormy one. Growing up, I saw my grandmother organise kitty parties where all her girlfriends would gather for a potluck lunch, rounds of rummy and bagfuls of banter. Our house would come alive with a wonderful positive energy that’s hard to describe in words. I also saw my mom and aunt fiercely guarding their time with their own girlfriends. At the time, I wondered why this time was so sacred, almost non negotiable for them. Now, I understand. My girlfriends provide me with a safe environment where I can let my hair down or cry my heart out without being judged. They remind me to just be me without worrying about the various hats I don. They lend perspective on a problem that I may be facing and suddenly it doesn’t seem that daunting anymore. In that safe cocoon of trust and camaraderie I feel loved and understood. My girlfriends help me heal. #notesonthego #girlfriends #femalefriends #femalefriendship

Girlfriends

A lot has been said about female friendships. Of how you must keep your girlfriends close. Sisters before misters and all that. But a lot more needs to be said about the power of female friendships and its ability to constantly shine whether it be a sunny day or a rainy stormy one.

Growing up, I saw my grandmother organise kitty parties where all her girlfriends would gather for a potluck lunch, rounds of rummy and bagfuls of banter. Our house would come alive with a wonderful positive energy that’s hard to describe in words. I also saw my mom and aunt fiercely guarding their time with their own girlfriends. At the time, I wondered why this time was so sacred, almost non negotiable for them.

Now, I understand. My girlfriends provide me with a safe environment where I can let my hair down or cry my heart out without being judged. They remind me to just be me without worrying about the various hats I don. They lend perspective on a problem that I may be facing and suddenly it doesn’t seem that daunting anymore. In that safe cocoon of trust and camaraderie I feel loved and understood. My girlfriends help me heal.

#notesonthego #girlfriends #femalefriends #femalefriendship

Nov 10, 2022 11:20:42 am

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Treasured Not Tamed Her curls were always meant to be tamed. Or so she was told ever since she was a little girl. They were unruly, flying around her head much like the many thoughts swirling around it. Nothing seemed to work. Not headbands, not hairclips, not even hair oil. Straight hair was a thing of beauty, something that she aspired to see in herself. So Whenever she looked into the mirror she imagined herself in long straight hair but all she saw was a messy, frizzy nest sniggering back at her . She remembers days when the knots in her hair would be painfully removed with the help of a fine toothed comb and her curls doused in coconut oil. She didn’t look forward to these detangling sessions, not at all. So all her life she tried her best to adhere to this standard of beauty upheld by society. Then one day she decided to embrace her curls instead of fighting them. Slowly, she began to understand their nature and began nurturing them. They responded beautifully and began to thrive. It was indeed a revelation to her. She was actually in love with her hair for she learnt that her curls were never meant to be tamed but treasured. #notesonthego #curlyhair #curly #curlygirlmethode #treasured

Treasured Not Tamed

Her curls were always meant to be tamed. Or so she was told ever since she was a little girl. They were unruly, flying around her head much like the many thoughts swirling around it. Nothing seemed to work. Not headbands, not hairclips, not even hair oil.

Straight hair was a thing of beauty, something that she aspired to see in herself. So Whenever she looked into the mirror she imagined herself in long straight hair but all she saw was a messy, frizzy nest sniggering back at her . She remembers days when the knots in her hair would be painfully removed with the help of a fine toothed comb and her curls doused in coconut oil. She didn’t look forward to these detangling sessions, not at all. So all her life she tried her best to adhere to this standard of beauty upheld by society.

Then one day she decided to embrace her curls instead of fighting them. Slowly, she began to understand their nature and began nurturing them. They responded beautifully and began to thrive. It was indeed a revelation to her. She was actually in love with her hair for she learnt that her curls were never meant to be tamed but treasured.

#notesonthego #curlyhair #curly #curlygirlmethode #treasured

Nov 08, 2022 3:12:24 pm

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Wondrous Winter Winter is coming Extending her long arms Trying to seduce you in her frosty embrace Her hair is long and matty Like a crown of icicles upon her head Her smile is cold yet majestic And when she looks at you You cannot help but be spellbound She knows that you are secretly dreaming about Sweet Spring and Sunny Summer Oh and also how could you forget her nemesis the Flamboyant Fall? But she envies no one For she carries within her a quiet confidence Reminding you of your own strengths, Willing you to bloom in your own time #winter #notesonthego #bloom #winterpoetry

Wondrous Winter

Winter is coming
Extending her long arms
Trying to seduce you in her frosty embrace
Her hair is long and matty
Like a crown of icicles upon her head
Her smile is cold yet majestic
And when she looks at you
You cannot help but be spellbound

She knows that you are secretly dreaming about Sweet Spring and Sunny Summer
Oh and also how could you forget her nemesis the Flamboyant Fall?
But she envies no one
For she carries within her a quiet confidence
Reminding you of your own strengths,
Willing you to bloom in your own time

#winter #notesonthego #bloom #winterpoetry

Nov 06, 2022 5:23:08 pm

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Wake up Step out of the house. Let the fresh air fill your lungs, purging every insipid thought from your mind. Sit and have a real conversation with your loved ones, one that doesn’t involve the mind numbing mundane. Laugh generously, let it resound within the walls of your home. Don’t measure and plan every single minute of your day, discover the magic of spontaneity. Eat that freshly cooked roti. Not the stale one from yesterday. Life is short. Live, don’t just survive. Wake up! You owe it to someone important. Yourself. #wakeup #live #notesonthego Pic @[100064614342830:2048:Pinterest]

Wake up

Step out of the house. Let the fresh air fill your lungs, purging every insipid thought from your mind. Sit and have a real conversation with your loved ones, one that doesn’t involve the mind numbing mundane. Laugh generously, let it resound within the walls of your home. Don’t measure and plan every single minute of your day, discover the magic of spontaneity. Eat that freshly cooked roti. Not the stale one from yesterday. Life is short. Live, don’t just survive.
Wake up! You owe it to someone important. Yourself.

#wakeup #live #notesonthego

Pic Pinterest

Nov 04, 2022 7:37:02 pm

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Oh Goodbyes!

#notesonthego #goodbyes

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Nov 03, 2022 3:59:56 pm

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Unapologetic I generally do not talk much about the hard days. However, they need to be acknowledged. All my days are not the Instagram perfect dance reels exuding positivity and charm. I also have days where I feel down in the pits. Parkinson’s Disease is unpredictable. Imagine living with a condition where you don’t know what to expect from your body every single day of your life. Your body that you rely upon to live your life. Yes that body which you take for granted, we all take for granted. There are times when I am plagued with existential dilemmas. All this whilst being a mum to 2 wonderful little boys and writer/poet. No, I do not want to be this goddess of inspiration or strength or what you may call it. I am merely an ordinary girl who grew up with dreams to chase and who is still trying to achieve them despite the many hurdles that life has thrown her away So when somebody asks me why I keep talking about my condition, I am not apologetic, not at all. You need to know my struggles, because it has taken me a lot more to get to where I am today #sorrynotsorry #parkinsonslookslikeme #parkinsons #youngonsetparkinsons #yopd #effuparkinsons #harddays #unapologetic #keepthefaith #letsfindacure

Unapologetic

I generally do not talk much about the hard days. However, they need to be acknowledged. All my days are not the Instagram perfect dance reels exuding positivity and charm. I also have days where I feel down in the pits. Parkinson’s Disease is unpredictable. Imagine living with a condition where you don’t know what to expect from your body every single day of your life. Your body that you rely upon to live your life. Yes that body which you take for granted, we all take for granted.

There are times when I am plagued with existential dilemmas. All this whilst being a mum to 2 wonderful little boys and writer/poet. No, I do not want to be this goddess of inspiration or strength or what you may call it. I am merely an ordinary girl who grew up with dreams to chase and who is still trying to achieve them despite the many hurdles that life has thrown her away

So when somebody asks me why I keep talking about my condition, I am not apologetic, not at all. You need to know my struggles, because it has taken me a lot more to get to where I am today #sorrynotsorry

#parkinsonslookslikeme #parkinsons #youngonsetparkinsons #yopd #effuparkinsons #harddays #unapologetic #keepthefaith #letsfindacure

Oct 31, 2022 11:27:38 pm

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The other day I was snacking more than usual and wondered why. After giving it some thought, I came up with a Bermuda triangle of snacking that I would like to share with you : Snacks as filler Snacks act as fillers between meals. They help you tide over those intense hunger pangs until it’s time for your main meal. So many times I have been grateful for that piece of fruit, cereal bar, packet of crisps or even a piece of chocolate or two. That little pick me up so that I feel energised and satisfied until I await complete satiation at my next meal Snacks as facilitator Quite often, snacks act as icebreakers in conversations and also play the role of facilitators. When we have guests over, we invariably end up presenting them with a variety of snacks over long chats and conversation. Sometimes, they help get over the awkward moments in conversation where people have something to nibble at instead of dealing with those awkward silences. Even with children, it is quite interesting to note how snacking or offering them snacks draws them into a social situation. Snacks as freedom Personally, I feel that snacking gives me a sort of freedom – To choose what I want to eat, when I want to eat and where I want to eat. It becomes quite a personal affair so to speak first. I feel that when I am snacking I have regained control over time for myself. As a busy mother of two young kids, this is indeed my own space that I can carve for myself. All this talk about snacking has made me hungry and I am off to grab the most popular snack in the world. Any guesses what that might be? Chocolate! (Nielsen,2022). Let me leave you with that thought?! #snacktime #snacks #snacking #notesonthego 

The other day I was snacking more than usual and wondered why. After giving it some thought, I came up with a Bermuda triangle of snacking that I would like to share with you :

Snacks as filler

Snacks act as fillers between meals. They help you tide over those intense hunger pangs until it’s time for your main meal. So many times I have been grateful for that piece of fruit, cereal bar, packet of crisps or even a piece of chocolate or two. That little pick me up so that I feel energised and satisfied until I await complete satiation at my next meal

Snacks as facilitator

Quite often, snacks act as icebreakers in conversations and also play the role of facilitators. When we have guests over, we invariably end up presenting them with a variety of snacks over long chats and conversation. Sometimes, they help get over the awkward moments in conversation where people have something to nibble at instead of dealing with those awkward silences. Even with children, it is quite interesting to note how snacking or offering them snacks draws them into a social situation.

Snacks as freedom

Personally, I feel that snacking gives me a sort of freedom – To choose what I want to eat, when I want to eat and where I want to eat. It becomes quite a personal affair so to speak first. I feel that when I am snacking I have regained control over time for myself. As a busy mother of two young kids, this is indeed my own space that I can carve for myself.

All this talk about snacking has made me hungry and I am off to grab the most popular snack in the world. Any guesses what that might be? Chocolate! (Nielsen,2022). Let me leave you with that thought?!

#snacktime #snacks #snacking #notesonthego 

Oct 30, 2022 1:41:43 pm

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Nuances My mother tongue appears to be changing slowly, Rolling off my tongue differently with the passing of each year that I am away from the motherland. Sometimes I forget certain words, at other times I pronounce them awkwardly. They sound strange, strangely foreign And this realisation unnerves me Assimilation into a new culture and new land has blurred the boundaries between languages. I want to be able to speak my mother tongue like I used to many moons ago So I desperately seek its existence in inanimate objects that remind me of a home that I left behind. I open my old suitcase expecting to hear my mother tongue preserved within its folds, Its musical tone wafting towards me, trying to remind me of its nuances that seem to have eroded over time. I reach deep into the inner pocket of my suitcase to find an old family recipe handwritten by my mother in my mother tongue. Reading it is easy because it has no script. I can’t help but wonder “Soyee?, lasuna?, piyaavu?” (Coconut?, garlic?, onion?) Are they meant to sound like this? Where do I pause? Why can’t I enunciate clearly enough? Such questions begin to haunt me so I quickly put the paper holding the recipe back into my suitcase, Along with the many memories it evokes. I close my suitcase and push it under the bed. Suddenly, I am overcome with intense feelings of guilt. I feel like I have let down this beautiful language that moulded me, protected me, and nurtured me. “Aaso ma chelda” (It’s ok my child) I hear a voice reaching out to me from miles away. And just like that my mother’s voice in my mother tongue reassures me in a way that only a mother can. ©mommy.snippets #notesonthego #MotherTongue #konkani #mother #nostalgia .

Nuances

My mother tongue appears to be changing slowly,
Rolling off my tongue differently with the passing of each year that I am away from the motherland.
Sometimes I forget certain words, at other times I pronounce them awkwardly.
They sound strange, strangely foreign
And this realisation unnerves me

Assimilation into a new culture and new land has blurred the boundaries between languages.
I want to be able to speak my mother tongue like I used to many moons ago
So I desperately seek its existence in inanimate objects that remind me of a home that I left behind.

I open my old suitcase expecting to hear my mother tongue preserved within its folds,
Its musical tone wafting towards me, trying to remind me of its nuances that seem to have eroded over time.
I reach deep into the inner pocket of my suitcase to find an old family recipe handwritten by my mother in my mother tongue.
Reading it is easy because it has no script.

I can’t help but wonder
“Soyee?, lasuna?, piyaavu?” (Coconut?, garlic?, onion?)
Are they meant to sound like this? Where do I pause? Why can’t I enunciate clearly enough?
Such questions begin to haunt me so I quickly put the paper holding the recipe back into my suitcase,
Along with the many memories it evokes.

I close my suitcase and push it under the bed.
Suddenly, I am overcome with intense feelings of guilt.
I feel like I have let down this beautiful language that moulded me, protected me, and nurtured me.
“Aaso ma chelda” (It’s ok my child)
I hear a voice reaching out to me from miles away.
And just like that my mother’s voice in my mother tongue reassures me in a way that only a mother can.

©mommy.snippets

#notesonthego #MotherTongue #konkani #mother #nostalgia

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Oct 22, 2022 3:52:14 pm

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What did no one warn you about motherhood? That motherhood is immensely rewarding yet incredibly raw Where you rejoice and relinquish at the same time That it will awaken in you a sixth sense Where you will know exactly what to do and call it instinct That it will make you love unconditionally Where you will be entirely enamoured by the life you have created That motherhood is a perennial paradox Where you lose yourself and find yourself at the same time ©mommy.snippets #motherhood #nowarning #paradox #motherhoodpoet #mummypoet

What did no one warn you about motherhood?

That motherhood is immensely rewarding yet incredibly raw
Where you rejoice and relinquish at the same time

That it will awaken in you a sixth sense
Where you will know exactly what to do and call it instinct

That it will make you love unconditionally
Where you will be entirely enamoured by the life you have created

That motherhood is a perennial paradox
Where you lose yourself and find yourself at the same time

©mommy.snippets

#motherhood #nowarning #paradox #motherhoodpoet #mummypoet

Oct 18, 2022 2:35:50 pm

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Flamboyant Fall

Outside, the leaves fall upon the ground
Shades of auburn, brown, red and green
They remind me of a blanket covering the Earth Preparing her for winter’s advent
Winter who is not as glamorous as her predecessor the flamboyant Fall

And as nature orchestrates this drama..

You snuggle up on my chest reminding me of those early days where you would sleep there for hours together
You, my winter baby.
So whenever Fall waves her magic wand around
I always remember the last trimester before you entered this world
Bringing much colour to an otherwise dark winter .

©mommy.snippets

#fall #autumn #motherhood

Oct 15, 2022 5:55:03 pm

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Dear R I am sorry I did not play chess with you today. I feel very guilty about it. That moment when you asked me so sweetly to play with you, my mind was in a terrible muddle. An army of chores was threatening to strike. Dirty dishes, grubby floors, toys all around the living room like confetti. I had to make sure dinner was cooked, nappies ordered, the grocery list updated in time, your school bag packed, and on and on and on. So when you asked me whether I would play with you I was thrown in a way. It seemed incredulous that I could even consider playing an option when I have so many things still outstanding in my mind. In hindsight though, I should’ve played with you. These precious years will disappear soon enough. A time will come when I will pine for your attention. So today I made a promise to myself. The chores will always be around. You’re littleness won’t. I’m sorry I did not play chess with you today. ©mommy.snippets #motherhood #littleness #momguiltisreal #chess

Dear R

I am sorry I did not play chess with you today.
I feel very guilty about it. That moment when you asked me so sweetly to play with you, my mind was in a terrible muddle. An army of chores was threatening to strike. Dirty dishes, grubby floors, toys all around the living room like confetti. I had to make sure dinner was cooked, nappies ordered, the grocery list updated in time, your school bag packed, and on and on and on. So when you asked me whether I would play with you I was thrown in a way. It seemed incredulous that I could even consider playing an option when I have so many things still outstanding in my mind. In hindsight though, I should’ve played with you. These precious years will disappear soon enough. A time will come when I will pine for your attention. So today I made a promise to myself. The chores will always be around. You’re littleness won’t. I’m sorry I did not play chess with you today.

©mommy.snippets

#motherhood #littleness #momguiltisreal #chess

Oct 14, 2022 8:52:45 am

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A poem in the run up for Halloween . Form and genre are both outside my comfort zone. However this worked well here. The Banyan Tree The tree they said was haunted The Great Big Banyan of yore Its roots like burning zombies’ arms Swinging rapidly to and fro Legend says, on no moon night You could hear a piercing scream The Banyan appeared to be shaking wildly As if possessed by a frightful dream Even the bravest paled rather quickly When walking past the tree that night It seemed to have a life of its own It made for the scariest sight I wonder who this scream belonged to What was her story, her strife What made her pain so tragic Had it followed her from a past life? The Great Big Banyan holds her secret So securely against his chest I suddenly let out a piercing scream It’s no moon , I must not rest

A poem in the run up for Halloween . Form and genre are both outside my comfort zone. However this worked well here.

The Banyan Tree

The tree they said was haunted
The Great Big Banyan of yore
Its roots like burning zombies’ arms
Swinging rapidly to and fro

Legend says, on no moon night
You could hear a piercing scream
The Banyan appeared to be shaking wildly
As if possessed by a frightful dream

Even the bravest paled rather quickly
When walking past the tree that night
It seemed to have a life of its own
It made for the scariest sight

I wonder who this scream belonged to
What was her story, her strife
What made her pain so tragic
Had it followed her from a past life?

The Great Big Banyan holds her secret
So securely against his chest
I suddenly let out a piercing scream
It’s no moon , I must not rest

Oct 11, 2022 3:47:51 pm

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Final Navratri Note – Vijaydashmi Good v/s Evil Good always wins over evil, doesn’t it? This question got me thinking. What if that evil is a pervasive, chronic and degenerative one? What if it is slow poison, taking over your mind and body, hour by hour, moment by moment? How does one win over this evil? Is it even possible? Perhaps it is by winning over bits and pieces of this evil. It is being able to do every single thing that this evil is preventing you from doing. It is tying your own shoelaces. It is dancing your heart away. It is eating with cutlery. It is buttoning your coat. It is speaking coherently. It is walking without a limp. It is fluid body movement. It is a beautiful expressive face. It is the ability to smell your food. It is the privilege to type non gibberish. It is the freedom to do chores without checking to see if your medication has worn off. So you see, good wins. It always does. It’s just that sometimes it’s in a different disguise. The key is to identify it and to keep going, to keep moving. Onwards and upwards, onwards and upwards. ©mommy.snippets #navratri2022 #VijayDashmi #goodvsevil #Parkinsonsdisease

Final Navratri Note – Vijaydashmi

Good v/s Evil

Good always wins over evil, doesn’t it? This question got me thinking. What if that evil is a pervasive, chronic and degenerative one? What if it is slow poison, taking over your mind and body, hour by hour, moment by moment? How does one win over this evil? Is it even possible?

Perhaps it is by winning over bits and pieces of this evil. It is being able to do every single thing that this evil is preventing you from doing. It is tying your own shoelaces. It is dancing your heart away. It is eating with cutlery. It is buttoning your coat. It is speaking coherently. It is walking without a limp. It is fluid body movement. It is a beautiful expressive face. It is the ability to smell your food. It is the privilege to type non gibberish. It is the freedom to do chores without checking to see if your medication has worn off.

So you see, good wins. It always does. It’s just that sometimes it’s in a different disguise. The key is to identify it and to keep going, to keep moving. Onwards and upwards, onwards and upwards.

©mommy.snippets

#navratri2022 #VijayDashmi #goodvsevil #Parkinsonsdisease

Oct 07, 2022 11:59:27 am

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Day 8 – Goddess Mahagauri Serenity This goddess represents serenity and tranquility . To me these states of being have become almost unattainable. Many times I feel like I am in the middle of a storm where I am trying to keep my head up and walk against the force of the wind but things are swirling ,clashing and tumbling around my head. That’s when I also realise that I probably need to seek out serenity in my everyday life. Serenity is the calm waters of the River Thames/ It is my mother‘s soothing voice singing to me as my being floats into Dreamland/ It is cherubic smiles upon the faces of my two boys as they lie in bed exhausted after a full day of running around./ It is eating my favourite food in my favourite restaurant with my favourite person/ Serenity is lying on the green grass as the sun kisses my cheeks/ It is sitting on the sofa drinking my first cuppa morning coffee/ Serenity is listening to my favourite songs while lying on my bed/ Serenity is being present in the moment/ It is being present in the moment with myself/ ©mommy.snippets #navratri2022 #ashtami #Mahagauri #serenity

Day 8 – Goddess Mahagauri

Serenity

This goddess represents serenity and tranquility . To me these states of being have become almost unattainable. Many times I feel like I am in the middle of a storm where I am trying to keep my head up and walk against the force of the wind but things are swirling ,clashing and tumbling around my head. That’s when I also realise that I probably need to seek out serenity in my everyday life.

Serenity is the calm waters of the River Thames/ It is my mother‘s soothing voice singing to me as my being floats into Dreamland/ It is cherubic smiles upon the faces of my two boys as they lie in bed exhausted after a full day of running around./ It is eating my favourite food in my favourite restaurant with my favourite person/ Serenity is lying on the green grass as the sun kisses my cheeks/ It is sitting on the sofa drinking my first cuppa morning coffee/ Serenity is listening to my favourite songs while lying on my bed/ Serenity is being present in the moment/ It is being present in the moment with myself/

©mommy.snippets

#navratri2022 #ashtami #Mahagauri #serenity

Oct 04, 2022 12:36:47 am

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Day 7 – Maa Kali Ferocity She is the most fierce of the goddess’s avatars. To me it represents ferocity. Whenever I am frustrated with the tasks that Parkinson’s makes more challenging, I am overcome with a fierce determination to succeed.  This is a very complicated step especially if you have Parkinson’s. Notice the arm and leg movements. They have to be coordinated according to the beat. The brain needs to communicate to the limbs how, when to move. My brain is working doubly hard because it does not have its neurotransmitter dopamine. So, when I’m able to do this step without missing a beat quite literally, It gives me more confidence. This condition teaches you never to take anything for granted, least of all your body. It helps you appreciate the little things, the everyday things, things that we feel entitled to and when these are cruelly taken away we appreciate their value. Thank you @dancewithdeepti @time2movewellness constantly helping me to work with my body and help it gain its true potential irrespective of the changes that the condition inevitably throws at me. #navratri2022 #kaali #ferocity #parkinsonslookslikeme #parkinsonsawareness #yopd #dance #strengthtraining #keepmoving #parkinsonsdoesnthaveus #yopd

Day 7 – Maa Kali

Ferocity

She is the most fierce of the goddess’s avatars. To me it represents ferocity.

Whenever I am frustrated with the tasks that Parkinson’s makes more challenging, I am overcome with a fierce determination to succeed.

 This is a very complicated step especially if you have Parkinson’s. Notice the arm and leg movements. They have to be coordinated according to the beat. The brain needs to communicate to the limbs how, when to move. My brain is working doubly hard because it does not have its neurotransmitter dopamine. So, when I’m able to do this step without missing a beat quite literally, It gives me more confidence.

This condition teaches you never to take anything for granted, least of all your body. It helps you appreciate the little things, the everyday things, things that we feel entitled to and when these are cruelly taken away we appreciate their value.

Thank you @dancewithdeepti @time2movewellness constantly helping me to work with my body and help it gain its true potential irrespective of the changes that the condition inevitably throws at me.

#navratri2022 #kaali #ferocity

#parkinsonslookslikeme #parkinsonsawareness #yopd #dance #strengthtraining #keepmoving #parkinsonsdoesnthaveus #yopd

Oct 02, 2022 4:06:59 pm

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Day 6 – Maa Katyayini In this avatar, the goddess kills the Demon Mahishasura. To me this represents courage. I have tried to look at courage from two perspectives Courage Courage is showing up when you’d rather not. It is facing your fears in the face. It is persevering every day of your life until you achieve your goals, however small. It is endurance in its rawest form. It is moving, always moving. Courage is also staying put when you need to. It is facing your fears at your own pace. It is persevering every day of your life even if your goals haven’t been met. It is resistance to protect yourself. It is rest. #navratri2022 #katyayani #courage

Day 6 – Maa Katyayini

In this avatar, the goddess kills the Demon Mahishasura. To me this represents courage. I have tried to look at courage from two perspectives

Courage

Courage is showing up when you’d rather not.
It is facing your fears in the face.
It is persevering every day of your life until you achieve your goals, however small.
It is endurance in its rawest form.
It is moving, always moving.

Courage is also staying put when you need to. It is facing your fears at your own pace. It is persevering every day of your life even if your goals haven’t been met. It is resistance to protect yourself. It is rest.

#navratri2022 #katyayani #courage

Oct 01, 2022 12:01:36 pm

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Day 5 – Goddess Skandmata Identity Goddess Skandmata depicts Ma Durga as mother. She, mother of Skand. To me, She represents identity. Every so often, I come across articles, blogs or even general banter about losing one’s identity after becoming a mother. Although I can relate to this at some levels, I never really experienced a loss of identity when motherhood embraced me. I would like to believe that motherhood became a part of my identity rather than my identity itself. It became just another aspect of who I am. My sense of self is very important to me. Consequently I was very careful not to be entirely consumed by this new identity that was suddenly foisted upon me upon the birth of my first child. I gave up my full-time career (a successful one might I add) in Human Resources, to become a full-time stay at home mum to my children. At that point, it was perhaps quite easy to lose my identity. However, I did not fall into its claws, not once. Instead, I engaged with this new identity, I learned how to navigate its many nooks and crannies with nothing but an amateur’s hat on. Even today I am navigating its often confusing yet fulfilling journeys with no GPS at hand. I built upon this new identity to help me establish another very important aspect of my identity which is that of a writer. So you see, I never really lost my identity. I just gained a new one. ©mommy.snippets #navratri2022 #Skandmata #identity #motherhood

Day 5 – Goddess Skandmata

Identity

Goddess Skandmata depicts Ma Durga as mother. She, mother of Skand. To me, She represents identity.

Every so often, I come across articles, blogs or even general banter about losing one’s identity after becoming a mother. Although I can relate to this at some levels, I never really experienced a loss of identity when motherhood embraced me. I would like to believe that motherhood became a part of my identity rather than my identity itself. It became just another aspect of who I am.

My sense of self is very important to me. Consequently I was very careful not to be entirely consumed by this new identity that was suddenly foisted upon me upon the birth of my first child. I gave up my full-time career (a successful one might I add) in Human Resources, to become a full-time stay at home mum to my children. At that point, it was perhaps quite easy to lose my identity. However, I did not fall into its claws, not once. Instead, I engaged with this new identity, I learned how to navigate its many nooks and crannies with nothing but an amateur’s hat on. Even today I am navigating its often confusing yet fulfilling journeys with no GPS at hand. I built upon this new identity to help me establish another very important aspect of my identity which is that of a writer.

So you see, I never really lost my identity. I just gained a new one.

©mommy.snippets

#navratri2022 #Skandmata #identity #motherhood

Sep 30, 2022 12:08:48 pm

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Day four-Maa Kushmanda Creativity It is believed that Maa Kushmanda created the universe with her smile. To me, She symbolises the process of creativity. I believe that creativity comes from within. It cannot be taught but it can definitely be honed so that it is able to reach its maximum potential. I would like to call myself a creative person simply because I find joy in the act of creation rather than pondering about the outcome of the creative endeavour. Whenever I get a boost of creative energy I quickly remove myself from the rigour of reality and focus on what that energy is trying to convey to me. It is hard to articulate in words but I think sharing it would create awareness and respect for a creative soul. My creativity does not follow any pattern. Perhaps that is a major characteristic of creation though isn’t it? . I am not here to give you lessons about how to be creative for there are none. I recently read a quote by Henri Matisse which really resonated with me – “Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while working.” Let me leave you with this thought and before you go an absolute final gem – “Create with the heart; build with the mind”- Criss Jami. ©mommy.snippets #navratri2022 #Kushmanda #creativity Pic credit @[100047070375245:2048:Soumeiran]

Day four-Maa Kushmanda

Creativity

It is believed that Maa Kushmanda created the universe with her smile. To me, She symbolises the process of creativity. I believe that creativity comes from within. It cannot be taught but it can definitely be honed so that it is able to reach its maximum potential. I would like to call myself a creative person simply because I find joy in the act of creation rather than pondering about the outcome of the creative endeavour. Whenever I get a boost of creative energy I quickly remove myself from the rigour of reality and focus on what that energy is trying to convey to me. It is hard to articulate in words but I think sharing it would create awareness and respect for a creative soul.

My creativity does not follow any pattern. Perhaps that is a major characteristic of creation though isn’t it? . I am not here to give you lessons about how to be creative for there are none. I recently read a quote by Henri Matisse which really resonated with me – “Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while working.” Let me leave you with this thought and before you go an absolute final gem – “Create with the heart; build with the mind”- Criss Jami.

©mommy.snippets

#navratri2022 #Kushmanda #creativity

Pic credit Soumeiran

Sep 29, 2022 3:57:08 pm

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Day 3 – Maa Chandraghanta Multitasking & The Mental Load Maa Chandraghanta is depicted with ten arms and holding a variety of weapons in her hands. She reminds me of multitasking and the mental load that women invariably end up carrying. Let me first talk about multitasking. It is my personal observation that women in general are amazing at multitasking as compared to men. Perhaps it is the expectations of the various roles that they effortlessly play or maybe it is that they need to prove themselves and others that they can do it all. But my question here is – can we actually do it all? Why do we set such unrealistic goals for ourselves? Why do we have to do it all? I don’t have convincing answers to any of these questions but I just want to start a conversation here. This brings me to the very controversial topic of the mental load that has come to fore in recent years. The mental load essentially means that women end up taking responsibility for managing everything from children’s dental appointments to grocery shopping. It is the invisible labour involved in managing a household and family which typically falls on women’s shoulders. Again, I want to ask questions here and start a conversation. Why does this fall on women’s shoulders? Is the patriarchy alone to blame? Can we change the narrative about gender roles? How soon can this conversation be started? How can the mental load be distributed so that women don’t end up becoming stressed out? Perhaps we can begin by shattering the concept of ‘superwoman’. ©mommy.snippets #navratri2022 #Chandraghanta #multitasking #mentalload

Day 3 – Maa Chandraghanta

Multitasking & The Mental Load

Maa Chandraghanta is depicted with ten arms and holding a variety of weapons in her hands.
She reminds me of multitasking and the mental load that women invariably end up carrying. Let me first talk about multitasking. It is my personal observation that women in general are amazing at multitasking as compared to men. Perhaps it is the expectations of the various roles that they effortlessly play or maybe it is that they need to prove themselves and others that they can do it all. But my question here is – can we actually do it all? Why do we set such unrealistic goals for ourselves? Why do we have to do it all? I don’t have convincing answers to any of these questions but I just want to start a conversation here.

This brings me to the very controversial topic of the mental load that has come to fore in recent years. The mental load essentially means that women end up taking responsibility for managing everything from children’s dental appointments to grocery shopping. It is the invisible labour involved in managing a household and family which typically falls on women’s shoulders. Again, I want to ask questions here and start a conversation. Why does this fall on women’s shoulders? Is the patriarchy alone to blame? Can we change the narrative about gender roles? How soon can this conversation be started? How can the mental load be distributed so that women don’t end up becoming stressed out?

Perhaps we can begin by shattering the concept of ‘superwoman’.

©mommy.snippets

#navratri2022 #Chandraghanta #multitasking #mentalload

Sep 28, 2022 12:12:33 pm

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Navratri Day 2- Goddess Brahmacharini Introspection Goddess Brahmacharini is symbolic of penance. However, I would like to view this with a different lens. The term penance is rife with feelings of negativity that arise from the concept of punishment. Specifically punishing oneself. As women, don’t we already punish ourselves enough? We are moulded from a very young age to adhere to certain societal norms and when we don’t do this for whatever reason we are not only judged and silenced by society at large but incredibly so by our own selves as well. That is the unfortunate power that the patriarchy wields over us. So, I will take this opportunity to invoke the very important yet often overlooked process of introspection. I have always been a very introspective person. Even as a child I would introspect quite a lot about my daily experiences, conversations that we had during the course of the day and so on. Today, I introspect a lot more obviously because of my life experiences. Introspection provides me with a space that I can call my own even if it is for only 5 minutes. It helps me reflect on life’s moments and the role I played in those moments. What? When? Where? How? I find that introspection creates greater self awareness. It also lends perspective to any given situation by helping me cope with the tricky ones and reminds me of all the goodness that still exists. ©mommy.snippets #navratri2022 #penance #introspection #Brahmacharini

Navratri Day 2- Goddess Brahmacharini

Introspection

Goddess Brahmacharini is symbolic of penance. However, I would like to view this with a different lens. The term penance is rife with feelings of negativity that arise from the concept of punishment. Specifically punishing oneself. As women, don’t we already punish ourselves enough? We are moulded from a very young age to adhere to certain societal norms and when we don’t do this for whatever reason we are not only judged and silenced by society at large but incredibly so by our own selves as well. That is the unfortunate power that the patriarchy wields over us. So, I will take this opportunity to invoke the very important yet often overlooked process of introspection.

I have always been a very introspective person. Even as a child I would introspect quite a lot about my daily experiences, conversations that we had during the course of the day and so on. Today, I introspect a lot more obviously because of my life experiences. Introspection provides me with a space that I can call my own even if it is for only 5 minutes. It helps me reflect on life’s moments and the role I played in those moments. What? When? Where? How? I find that introspection creates greater self awareness. It also lends perspective to any given situation by helping me cope with the tricky ones and reminds me of all the goodness that still exists.

©mommy.snippets

#navratri2022 #penance #introspection #Brahmacharini

Sep 27, 2022 1:39:13 pm

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Today marks the advent of Navratri, celebrating the Goddess Durga and her 9 avatars. In this series of Notes, I will try and explore the personal significance of each avatar in relation to the feminine energy. Day 1: Goddess Shailaputri Ma Durga’s avatar as Shailaputri, daughter of the mountain. To me, She signifies strength. Strength I have heard this word about a million times last year. I’ve been kindly complimented on my strength to face what probably could be classified as a tragic life changing discovery. Today, I want to reflect upon this concept of strength as I see it. Strength is not merely fighting against the so-called Demons that seem to constantly create obstacles in my path. However, it is also the ability to focus on myself rather than these Demons so that I am able to build on whatever strength I possess. One might argue that identifying the strengths and weaknesses of these Demons could also help. perhaps yes. But for now, I would like to just focus on owning my strengths, building on what I can do as opposed to what I cannot do and making sure that people around me understand that strength and vulnerability are two sides of the same coin. and that it takes a different kind of strength to speak about one’s vulnerability. After all, being vulnerable and letting down your guard so that it might help others do so too is not easy. Yet doing it is an act of strength. A tremendous one at that. ©mommy.snippets #navratri2022 #MaaShailputri #strength #vulnerability

Today marks the advent of Navratri, celebrating the Goddess Durga and her 9 avatars.

In this series of Notes, I will try and explore the personal significance of each avatar in relation to the feminine energy.

Day 1: Goddess Shailaputri

Ma Durga’s avatar as Shailaputri, daughter of the mountain. To me, She signifies strength.

Strength

I have heard this word about a million times last year. I’ve been kindly complimented on my strength to face what probably could be classified as a tragic life changing discovery. Today, I want to reflect upon this concept of strength as I see it. Strength is not merely fighting against the so-called Demons that seem to constantly create obstacles in my path. However, it is also the ability to focus on myself rather than these Demons so that I am able to build on whatever strength I possess.

One might argue that identifying the strengths and weaknesses of these Demons could also help. perhaps yes. But for now, I would like to just focus on owning my strengths, building on what I can do as opposed to what I cannot do and making sure that people around me understand that strength and vulnerability are two sides of the same coin. and that it takes a different kind of strength to speak about one’s vulnerability. After all, being vulnerable and letting down your guard so that it might help others do so too is not easy. Yet doing it is an act of strength. A tremendous one at that.

©mommy.snippets

#navratri2022 #MaaShailputri #strength #vulnerability

Sep 26, 2022 1:08:38 pm

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A Case For That Lanky Kid “Fat shaming and passing judgement on those who are on the heavier side, is clearly looked down upon. In fact, chubby kids are sought after aren’t they?. But, what about that lanky kid refusing food after food, plate after plate whilst you try your best to offer him a healthy balanced diet? That kid who is made fun of for lack of body mass. Sarcastically being called Mr. Muscles, Mr. Puniverse and Weakling not just by other kids but by grown-ups as well. And it is really very infuriating, not to mention frustrating that this appalling behaviour is normalised” Thank you Women’s Web for publishing this very personal piece https://www.womensweb.in/2022/08/a-case-for-that-lanky-kid-aug22wk4sr/ 

A Case For That Lanky Kid

“Fat shaming and passing judgement on those who are on the heavier side, is clearly looked down upon. In fact, chubby kids are sought after aren’t they?.

But, what about that lanky kid refusing food after food, plate after plate whilst you try your best to offer him a healthy balanced diet?

That kid who is made fun of for lack of body mass. Sarcastically being called Mr. Muscles, Mr. Puniverse and Weakling not just by other kids but by grown-ups as well. And it is really very infuriating, not to mention frustrating that this appalling behaviour is normalised”

Thank you Women’s Web for publishing this very personal piece

https://www.womensweb.in/2022/08/a-case-for-that-lanky-kid-aug22wk4sr/

Sep 24, 2022 8:10:41 am

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Brave “Bye Mummy….”, the words tumble out of your mouth rather haltingly. Tears are brimming over in your tiny bright eyes. You, my 2 1/2 year old baby boy is teaching me right there and then what it means to be brave. It is after all only your fifth day of settling in at the nursery. For a pandemic baby, one who’s first year of life dipped in and out of lockdown, you are doing exceedingly well. A couple of your peers come running towards you. A glimpse of this display of familiarity helps soften the blows of guilt that are banging away at my heart. You also go on to say hello to your teachers who welcome you with open arms. “Good boy!!” your key worker calls out genuinely happy that you seem to be settling in within your new environment. I say goodbye to you as well but my words are merely more than a whisper. I become aware of this quite immediately and bend down to kiss your forehead, reassuring you that I will be back to collect you very soon. You nod your head in comprehension, look me in the eye and say “Goodbye Mummy”, once again. Tears now sting my eyes.I turn around quite abruptly and rush out of the double doors, dreading opening the front door of our home which will greet me with nothing but an unnerving silence. ©mommy.snippets #notesonthego #brave #nursery #babyboy #proudmama

Brave

“Bye Mummy….”, the words tumble out of your mouth rather haltingly. Tears are brimming over in your tiny bright eyes. You, my 2 1/2 year old baby boy is teaching me right there and then what it means to be brave. It is after all only your fifth day of settling in at the nursery. For a pandemic baby, one who’s first year of life dipped in and out of lockdown, you are doing exceedingly well.

A couple of your peers come running towards you. A glimpse of this display of familiarity helps soften the blows of guilt that are banging away at my heart. You also go on to say hello to your teachers who welcome you with open arms. “Good boy!!” your key worker calls out genuinely happy that you seem to be settling in within your new environment.

I say goodbye to you as well but my words are merely more than a whisper. I become aware of this quite immediately and bend down to kiss your forehead, reassuring you that I will be back to collect you very soon. You nod your head in comprehension, look me in the eye and say “Goodbye Mummy”, once again. Tears now sting my eyes.I turn around quite abruptly and rush out of the double doors, dreading opening the front door of our home which will greet me with nothing but an unnerving silence.

©mommy.snippets

#notesonthego #brave #nursery #babyboy #proudmama

Sep 20, 2022 1:08:43 pm

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Hibernation My mind is drawn towards rest. After a wave of incredible creativity it is now seeking out a period of quiet calm. It is no longer able to turn out word after word sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph. It is as if it needs to pause, read, absorb. Ideas are lying still like fallen leaves upon the ground waiting for a gust of wind to blow them away. I am enjoying this period of hibernation for it is an unusual sort of state to be in. For someone who is always on the go, it can be rather unnerving. Life however has taught me to accept change irrespective of whether or not I am prepared for it. So, I will welcome this change with open arms and an open mind. The ideas are brewing. I promise. ©mommy.snippets #writing #poetry #hibernation #notesonthego

Hibernation

My mind is drawn towards rest. After a wave of incredible creativity it is now seeking out a period of quiet calm.
It is no longer able to turn out word after word sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph. It is as if it needs to pause, read,
absorb. Ideas are lying still like fallen leaves upon the ground waiting for a gust of wind to blow them away.

I am enjoying this period of hibernation for it is an unusual sort of state to be in. For someone who is always on the go, it can be rather unnerving. Life however has taught me to accept change irrespective of whether or not I am prepared for it. So, I will welcome this change with open arms and an open mind. The ideas are brewing. I promise.

©mommy.snippets

#writing #poetry #hibernation #notesonthego

Sep 17, 2022 8:31:43 pm

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My Snacks Cupboard (Thank you @[100064571324312:2048:Women’s Web] for the feature) Read my full article here https://www.womensweb.in/2022/09/snacks-cupboard-is-a-place-where-i-store-my-comfort-sept22wk3ap/

My Snacks Cupboard

(Thank you Women’s Web for the feature)

Read my full article here https://www.womensweb.in/2022/09/snacks-cupboard-is-a-place-where-i-store-my-comfort-sept22wk3ap/

Sep 15, 2022 3:00:18 pm

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On Writing I’m often asked how I find the time to write amidst my busy life of a mum to two young children . Today, I will attempt to answer this question. The truth is that I don’t find the time to write, it finds me. Writing gives me joy. Plain and simple. It gives me something to call my own, sweet fruit of schematic labour. Writing provides me with a safe haven where I can translate the chaos in my mind into something constructive. It helps me articulate my thoughts and emotions. Words are powerful and I recognised their power at a very young age. It’s only when I started writing that I realised that as much as words can appease and satiate they can destruct and scathe. Writing therefore, presents me with a medium of expression and there is nothing more satisfying than being heard. I remember in school I would look forward to writing essays in the Languages. I also remember being mocked and ridiculed by some peers who were more intent on memorising formulas and chemical equations. Their juvenile mockery far from discouraged me. Why? Because writing made me happy! So I gave two hoots about what others said. My earliest memory (possibly reconstructed) of writing is when I at the age of 3.5yrs would write the Alphabet on my own in a notebook. Another memory is that of me tracing my name on the sandy beach quickly enough before the waves erased it entirely. Writing has always been a constant in my life. I began by writing a diary which would include everything from mundane happenings to some deep thoughts. Poetry followed suit and I still find pure happiness in poems, especially those that rhyme. There is something soothing, soul stirring about a rhyme. Perhaps it’s the rhythm it inevitably creates. Once I started working I began reviewing books by South Asian authors. This is something I’m still passionate about but I don’t read enough at the moment. This brings me to the present day where I write about my journey through motherhood and of course Notes On The Go. So, wherever I’ve been and whatever I’ve been doing, I’ve always written! It remains by source of joy and for this I am indeed grateful. #writer #Writing #passion #whyiwrite ©mommy.snippets

On Writing

I’m often asked how I find the time to write amidst my busy life of a mum to two young children . Today, I will attempt to answer this question.

The truth is that I don’t find the time to write, it finds me. Writing gives me joy. Plain and simple. It gives me something to call my own, sweet fruit of schematic labour. Writing provides me with a safe haven where I can translate the chaos in my mind into something constructive. It helps me articulate my thoughts and emotions.

Words are powerful and I recognised their power at a very young age. It’s only when I started writing that I realised that as much as words can appease and satiate they can destruct and scathe. Writing therefore, presents me with a medium of expression and there is nothing more satisfying than being heard.

I remember in school I would look forward to writing essays in the Languages. I also remember being mocked and ridiculed by some peers who were more intent on memorising formulas and chemical equations. Their juvenile mockery far from discouraged me. Why? Because writing made me happy! So I gave two hoots about what others said.

My earliest memory (possibly reconstructed) of writing is when I at the age of 3.5yrs would write the Alphabet on my own in a notebook. Another memory is that of me tracing my name on the sandy beach quickly enough before the waves erased it entirely.

Writing has always been a constant in my life. I began by writing a diary which would include everything from mundane happenings to some deep thoughts. Poetry followed suit and I still find pure happiness in poems, especially those that rhyme. There is something soothing, soul stirring about a rhyme. Perhaps it’s the rhythm it inevitably creates.

Once I started working I began reviewing books by South Asian authors. This is something I’m still passionate about but I don’t read enough at the moment.

This brings me to the present day where I write about my journey through motherhood and of course Notes On The Go.

So, wherever I’ve been and whatever I’ve been doing, I’ve always written! It remains by source of joy and for this I am indeed grateful.

#writer #Writing #passion #whyiwrite

©mommy.snippets

Sep 13, 2022 12:29:03 pm

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Your first day at nursery 6.9.22 I wake up at 4 am, blaming the jetlag. However I know it is not entirely to blame. You, my second born, will be starting nursery today. A huge milestone indeed. We have been talking to you about starting at nursery for months now. You seem rather excited by the prospect of it. As your mother, my mind is full of questions and anticipation. How will you respond? Will you like it there? Will the activities serve to distract you well? Will you make new friends easily? How long will it take for you to settle ? I am reassured by the fact that you are able to communicate splendidly. You will be able to let your teachers know what is on your mind. I am also acutely aware that as much as this is a change for you, it is for me too. No prizes for guessing who will benefit more from the settling in sessions! ©mommy.snippets #firstdayofnursery #secondborn #ohmyheart #motherhood

Your first day at nursery

6.9.22

I wake up at 4 am, blaming the jetlag. However I know it is not entirely to blame. You, my second born, will be starting nursery today. A huge milestone indeed. We have been talking to you about starting at nursery for months now. You seem rather excited by the prospect of it. As your mother, my mind is full of questions and anticipation. How will you respond? Will you like it there? Will the activities serve to distract you well? Will you make new friends easily? How long will it take for you to settle ? I am reassured by the fact that you are able to communicate splendidly. You will be able to let your teachers know what is on your mind. I am also acutely aware that as much as this is a change for you, it is for me too. No prizes for guessing who will benefit more from the settling in sessions!

©mommy.snippets

#firstdayofnursery #secondborn #ohmyheart #motherhood

Sep 06, 2022 2:10:47 pm

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Until we meet again! This summer has been precious ❤️

#postcardsfromhome #family #gratitude #summer2022

Sep 03, 2022 7:50:27 pm

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Humbled

I stand at the crossroads of time. I am neither here nor there. I find it hard to be fully present in the moment today. The rigour of routine looms overhead and as I look back I am greeted with memories of love and togetherness. Warm smiles, welcoming hugs,amazing food and heartfelt conversations.My mother cooking my favourite meals. My father driving me to the other end of town. My grandmother chatting with me about every topic under the Sun. Neighbours dropping in with platefuls of delicious food. The local shopkeepers and club attendants nodding in recognition as I walk in with not one but two children. My house help quietly indulging me. The stray dogs around our building happily greeting us. Extended family visiting me on a busy workday just to say goodbye. So Today I am nothing but grateful. For this place and its people will always be my first home.And I am humbled by the realisation that their familiarity is nothing less than privilege.

#family #postcardsfromhome #home #humbledandblessed

Sep 02, 2022 4:53:12 am

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Patrado (Colocasia leaf rolls) She sits by the dining table with a pile of matt green coloured colocasia leaves on her left . A masala of ground spices and fresh coconut nestles in a stainless steel bowl to her right. She is all of 92, her lifetime spanning almost a century.. She may not remember what she had for breakfast, which was merely a couple of hours ago . However, ask her the recipe for the patrado and she will be sure to tell you every detail so specifically that you could perhaps even write a recipe book. She deftly lifts up a mound of masala from that steel bowl and gently spreads it across the surface area of the Colocasia leaf. Much like her love permeating the very core of her family . She does this with so much precision that I am mesmerised by how her hand is still working so beautifully, in such delicate rhythm. I am almost awe struck. After all the leaves have been smeared with the fragrant coconut masala, she begins rolling each leaf into what appears to be a cylinder held together by string. The leafy cylinders are then placed in a big vat and left to cook under steam. Following this, the final step involves cutting the cylinders into circular pieces which are then shallow fried to crisp perfection. Her family now sits around the same dining table, eating the patrado, four generations held together tightly by her presence, reminding me of that string – strong and significant #postcardsfromhome #childhoodmemories #family #generations

Patrado (Colocasia leaf rolls)

She sits by the dining table with a pile of matt green coloured colocasia leaves on her left . A masala of ground spices and fresh coconut nestles in a stainless steel bowl to her right. She is all of 92, her lifetime spanning almost a century.. She may not remember what she had for breakfast, which was merely a couple of hours ago . However, ask her the recipe for the patrado and she will be sure to tell you every detail so specifically that you could perhaps even write a recipe book.

She deftly lifts up a mound of masala from that steel bowl and gently spreads it across the surface area of the Colocasia leaf. Much like her love permeating the very core of her family . She does this with so much precision that I am mesmerised by how her hand is still working so beautifully, in such delicate rhythm. I am almost awe struck.

After all the leaves have been smeared with the fragrant coconut masala, she begins rolling each leaf into what appears to be a cylinder held together by string. The leafy cylinders are then placed in a big vat and left to cook under steam. Following this, the final step involves cutting the cylinders into circular pieces which are then shallow fried to crisp perfection. Her family now sits around the same dining table, eating the patrado, four generations held together tightly by her presence, reminding me of that string – strong and significant

#postcardsfromhome #childhoodmemories #family #generations

Sep 01, 2022 6:12:08 am

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We are in Mumbai for the summer holidays and it has been amazing to show my kids where I grew up ❤️

We are in Mumbai for the summer holidays and it has been amazing to show my kids where I grew up ❤️

Aug 27, 2022 9:00:58 am

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I wrote an article for @[100063776344221:2048:The Daily Life Magazine] about how the dining table is central to our family and its dynamics. https://www.thedailylifemagazine.com/dining-at-the-table-a-family-hangout/

I wrote an article for The Daily Life Magazine about how the dining table is central to our family and its dynamics.

https://www.thedailylifemagazine.com/dining-at-the-table-a-family-hangout/

Aug 25, 2022 1:01:15 pm

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The Room Windows. Let me begin with the windows. For a small room it boasts of two windows with iron grills painted a deep maroon, overlooking our garden. My bed is nestled between my cupboard and the wall. If I sit up I can see the trees in the garden- Jackfruit, Amla, Bimbul. If I look closely I can see birds nesting – Parrots, Bulbuls, Mynahs My study table is the practical foldable kind. A necessity in Mumbai where space is luxury. The walls are painted a milky cream, some cracks appear intermittently, evident of the atrocities of Mumbai’s harsh monsoon. There are books wherever you look. Paperbacks, Hardbacks, Comics, Magazines and Textbooks. On the table, stacked beside the bed, upon the window ledge, the bookshelf of course. Pictures of cricketers and boy bands smile down at you. They appear to change with the vagaries of a teenage heart. Finally, an easy chair tempts you to relax, rewind and dream of a world outside the four walls of this room. The room that holds securely the memories of my childhood. #postcardsfromhome #childhoodmemories #Childhoodroom Picture @[100063958604121:2048:Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye]

The Room

Windows. Let me begin with the windows. For a small room it boasts of two windows with iron grills painted a deep maroon, overlooking our garden.
My bed is nestled between my cupboard and the wall. If I sit up I can see the trees in the garden- Jackfruit, Amla, Bimbul. If I look closely I can see birds nesting – Parrots, Bulbuls, Mynahs
My study table is the practical foldable kind. A necessity in Mumbai where space is luxury.
The walls are painted a milky cream, some cracks appear intermittently, evident of the atrocities of Mumbai’s harsh monsoon.
There are books wherever you look. Paperbacks, Hardbacks, Comics, Magazines and Textbooks. On the table, stacked beside the bed, upon the window ledge, the bookshelf of course.
Pictures of cricketers and boy bands smile down at you. They appear to change with the vagaries of a teenage heart.
Finally, an easy chair tempts you to relax, rewind and dream of a world outside the four walls of this room.
The room that holds securely the memories of my childhood.

#postcardsfromhome #childhoodmemories #Childhoodroom

Picture Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye

Aug 23, 2022 5:16:11 am

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Old T-shirts I am slipping into my old T-shirts as easily as I slip into memories of wearing them. There is something immensely comforting about the touch and feel of an old cotton T-shirt that is unparalleled. Before every visit to the motherland, I ask my parents to send me pictures of the T-shirts that lie in wait for me. This is to serve a practical purpose, yes – to ensure that I don’t over pack for our trip. However, I do this more to prepare myself mentally to return to old memories in the anticipation of making new ones. I remember myself wearing these T-shirts as a young adult, a university student, a working professional and a new mother. It is as if these T-shirts have lived through these various phases of my life with me. By wearing them, I allow myself a glimpse into these past versions of myself. Versions that have moulded me into who I am today. The tshirts maybe old and faded, have frayed ends and asymmetrical fitting but to me they do much more than playing out their practical function. They are mementos of my life in motion. mommy.snippets #postcardsfromhome #oldtshirts #memento

Old T-shirts

I am slipping into my old T-shirts as easily as I slip into memories of wearing them. There is something immensely comforting about the touch and feel of an old cotton T-shirt that is unparalleled. Before every visit to the motherland, I ask my parents to send me pictures of the T-shirts that lie in wait for me. This is to serve a practical purpose, yes – to ensure that I don’t over pack for our trip. However, I do this more to prepare myself mentally to return to old memories in the anticipation of making new ones.

I remember myself wearing these T-shirts as a young adult, a university student, a working professional and a new mother. It is as if these T-shirts have lived through these various phases of my life with me. By wearing them, I allow myself a glimpse into these past versions of myself. Versions that have moulded me into who I am today. The tshirts maybe old and faded, have frayed ends and asymmetrical fitting but to me they do much more than playing out their practical function. They are mementos of my life in motion.

mommy.snippets

#postcardsfromhome #oldtshirts #memento

Aug 21, 2022 4:39:29 am

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What Is Poetry Mummy? “What is poetry Mummy?” you asked me today when I was furiously typing away on my phone. I was lost for words then but now I attempt to hold onto them, draw them in together and make a coherent whole. I do this to explain to you what Poetry actually is, what it means. Poetry is like your toy box holding a variety of toys some that you really like others not so much But play with them all? You do! Poetry is you riding your bike , the wind carelessly rustling your soft hair, leaving your delicate cheeks rosy pink Poetry is like when you feel really hungry and end up eating a lot of food Do you eat again tomorrow? You do! Poetry is you singing your favourite song, playing your favourite game, colouring your favourite pictures Poetry is like a rainbow, its colours lending hope to an otherwise dreary afternoon Poetry is you laughing joyously, your innocence creating a magical bubble , one that I’m afraid to burst Poetry is like magic where your feelings become words, those words then come to life and you are left wondering , “but how?” ©mommy.snippets #postcardsfromhome #poetry #poetrylovers #whatispoetry

What Is Poetry Mummy?

“What is poetry Mummy?” you asked me today when I was furiously typing away on my phone.
I was lost for words then but now I attempt to hold onto them, draw them in together and make a coherent whole.
I do this to explain to you what Poetry actually is, what it means.

Poetry is like your toy box holding a variety of toys some that you really like others not so much
But play with them all? You do!

Poetry is you riding your bike , the wind carelessly rustling your soft hair, leaving your delicate cheeks rosy pink

Poetry is like when you feel really hungry and end up eating a lot of food
Do you eat again tomorrow? You do!

Poetry is you singing your favourite song, playing your favourite game, colouring your favourite pictures

Poetry is like a rainbow, its colours lending hope to an otherwise dreary afternoon

Poetry is you laughing joyously, your innocence creating a magical bubble , one that I’m afraid to burst

Poetry is like magic where your feelings become words, those words then come to life and you are left wondering , “but how?”

©mommy.snippets

#postcardsfromhome #poetry #poetrylovers #whatispoetry

Aug 17, 2022 4:41:36 am

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Independence As parents we push for our children to become independent- from eating on their own to sleeping by themselves. Dependence and attachment is often looked down upon. Then why do some of us have a problem when a child begins to assert themselves in terms of the choices they want to make? We want to control the child in line with what we think is best for them don’t we?. However what we fail to realise is that this trait of Independence cannot be moulded according to our own whims and fancies. As long as the choices the child makes are reasonable and not harmful to themselves or to society at large it is perfectly fine. Why do some of us not understand this? We try to control everything around us. This dynamic between independence and control is a fascinating one. It’s a reflection of the human mind in its most vulnerable state. It gives a glimpse into one’s own strengths and weaknesses. The need to control is a toxic one especially when it begins to affect those around you. So today on India’s 75th year of independence, let us introspect on our own need to control and value the essence of independence – the freedom to ‘ just be’. ©mommy.snippets Pic credit @[100063614827949:2048:Marigold-Gateway To India] #independence #postcardsfromhome #independenceday

Independence

As parents we push for our children to become independent- from eating on their own to sleeping by themselves. Dependence and attachment is often looked down upon. Then why do some of us have a problem when a child begins to assert themselves in terms of the choices they want to make? We want to control the child in line with what we think is best for them don’t we?. However what we fail to realise is that this trait of Independence cannot be moulded according to our own whims and fancies. As long as the choices the child makes are reasonable and not harmful to themselves or to society at large it is perfectly fine. Why do some of us not understand this?
We try to control everything around us.

This dynamic between independence and control is a fascinating one. It’s a reflection of the human mind in its most vulnerable state. It gives a glimpse into one’s own strengths and weaknesses. The need to control is a toxic one especially when it begins to affect those around you. So today on India’s 75th year of independence, let us introspect on our own need to control and value the essence of independence – the freedom to ‘ just be’.

©mommy.snippets

Pic credit Marigold-Gateway To India

#independence #postcardsfromhome #independenceday

Aug 15, 2022 2:26:40 am

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Gappa I am terribly jetlagged. However, my heart is full. I’m sitting in the midst of loved ones that I haven’t met for years together thanks to a global pandemic and a medical diagnosis that changed my life forever. Our lives forever. I have been functioning on less than two hours of sleep in the last 24 hours. However, I don’t notice this, until my Fitbit tells me so. We talk about our flight, about how an air hostess was condescending to some fellow passengers, how I want to eat 1 million things, meet old friends and just do nothing but chat with my grandmother the whole day. I am trying to make up for the time that was stolen from us. I am grateful for this time. For these people. *roughly translates to conversations but includes so much more- joy, laughter, belonging, peace ©mommy.snippets #postcardsfromhome #gappa #notesonthego

Gappa

I am terribly jetlagged. However, my heart is full. I’m sitting in the midst of loved ones that I haven’t met for years together thanks to a global pandemic and a medical diagnosis that changed my life forever. Our lives forever. I have been functioning on less than two hours of sleep in the last 24 hours. However, I don’t notice this, until my Fitbit tells me so.

We talk about our flight, about how an air hostess was condescending to some fellow passengers, how I want to eat 1 million things, meet old friends and just do nothing but chat with my grandmother the whole day.

I am trying to make up for the time that was stolen from us.

I am grateful for this time. For these people.

*roughly translates to conversations but includes so much more- joy, laughter, belonging, peace

©mommy.snippets

#postcardsfromhome #gappa #notesonthego

Aug 11, 2022 1:40:49 am

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Thank you @[100069035031142:2048:ASTRO] for including my poem as part of your exhibition 💛 Roads Of Home The first thing that hit me hard Was the fresh, clean air The smells of home long forgotten Except those layered in my hair The roads were all so sparkling Akin to hotel floors I very suddenly longed for Those grubby roads from home The trees and plants so Beautifully pruned The flowers so radiant aglow So unlike our unruly wild flowers Just surviving on their own I’m so grateful ,I really am This new place is truly a blessing Then why does my heart pine away? Oh why this longing? This missing? ©mommy.snippets #Home #roadsofhome #road #Mumbai #MumbaiRoad #Nostalgia #notlongnow

Thank you ASTRO for including my poem as part of your exhibition 💛

Roads Of Home

The first thing that hit me hard
Was the fresh, clean air
The smells of home long forgotten
Except those layered in my hair

The roads were all so sparkling
Akin to hotel floors
I very suddenly longed for
Those grubby roads from home

The trees and plants so
Beautifully pruned
The flowers so radiant aglow
So unlike our unruly wild flowers
Just surviving on their own

I’m so grateful ,I really am
This new place is truly a blessing
Then why does my heart pine away?
Oh why this longing? This missing?

©mommy.snippets

#Home #roadsofhome #road #Mumbai #MumbaiRoad #Nostalgia #notlongnow

Aug 07, 2022 5:14:42 pm

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Memories of Mum’s Food (7/7),series finale 💛 Khottey Khottey – For the uninitiated khottey are idlis steamed in little pockets made out of jackfruit leaves. A delicacy from coastal Karnataka. Mummy, every Gowri Ganesha festival reminds me of these soulful khottey. It’s so admirable that you would (amongst the gazillion other things that a major festival demands) painstakingly make these pockets out of jackfruit leaves, using tiny bits of sticks to weave them together. The flavour of these idlis remains unparalleled. As a child, I would take these for granted. How very silly of me! I now know their true worth and appreciate every idli I so callously wolfed down. #memories #mother #food.

Memories of Mum’s Food (7/7),series finale 💛

Khottey

Khottey – For the uninitiated khottey are idlis steamed in little pockets made out of jackfruit leaves. A delicacy from coastal Karnataka. Mummy, every Gowri Ganesha festival reminds me of these soulful khottey. It’s so admirable that you would (amongst the gazillion other things that a major festival demands) painstakingly make these pockets out of jackfruit leaves, using tiny bits of sticks to weave them together. The flavour of these idlis remains unparalleled. As a child, I would take these for granted. How very silly of me! I now know their true worth and appreciate every idli I so callously wolfed down.

#memories #mother #food.

Aug 05, 2022 7:08:32 am

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Portrait Of My Boys (aged 5 & 2.5) The both of you sit colouring, black and white pictures coming to life, with the colours caressing your canvas. Blue, red, orange, brown, black, yellow, green and purple of course, your favourite! Your brother is cautious, colouring within the lines. You less so, scribbling all over the place proud of your creation. Look what I made, your brother calls out to me Wow! I say genuinely impressed . Look what I made, you are quick to follow. Look what me made, you change the sentence, just in case it makes a difference to my opinion. You both seem satisfied by my approval and continue to be drawn into the world of crayons colour pencils sketch pens and paint. I sit staring at you, thankful for this moment of quiet calm in the middle of a chaotic summer’s day. I am almost scared to break this sense of surreal space, Making room for your imagination; Uninhibited, boundless, free. Adding magic to the mundane. ©mommy.snippets #gratitude #motherhood #writtenportrait #colouring #myboys

Portrait Of My Boys (aged 5 & 2.5)

The both of you sit colouring,
black and white pictures coming to life,
with the colours caressing your canvas.

Blue, red, orange, brown, black, yellow, green and purple of course, your favourite!

Your brother is cautious, colouring within the lines.
You less so, scribbling all over the place proud of your creation.
Look what I made, your brother calls out to me
Wow! I say genuinely impressed .
Look what I made, you are quick to follow.
Look what me made, you change the sentence, just in case it makes a difference to my opinion.

You both seem satisfied by my approval and continue to be drawn into the world of crayons colour pencils sketch pens and paint.
I sit staring at you, thankful for this moment of quiet calm in the middle of a chaotic summer’s day.

I am almost scared to break this sense of surreal space,
Making room for your imagination;
Uninhibited, boundless, free.
Adding magic to the mundane.

©mommy.snippets

#gratitude #motherhood #writtenportrait #colouring #myboys

Aug 03, 2022 10:28:55 am

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Waves When I was little we went on many beach holidays. I would love swimming in the sea with Pappa. I would wait for him to take me deeper into the sea at the point where the waves just about break. I can still feel the sea lifting me up and Pappa holding me securely and then the both of us landing back down, waiting for the next wave. I don’t remember doing this on my own even after I grew up. Little did I know then that this was life’s metaphor playing out before my eyes. Life’s challenges always come in waves don’t they? And Every time I have been accosted by an unexpected wave that overwhelms me, Pappa has always been there- holding me, guiding me, protecting me. Always ensuring that I land safely. #waves #memories #father #gratitude

Waves

When I was little we went on many beach holidays. I would love swimming in the sea with Pappa. I would wait for him to take me deeper into the sea at the point where the waves just about break. I can still feel the sea lifting me up and Pappa holding me securely and then the both of us landing back down, waiting for the next wave. I don’t remember doing this on my own even after I grew up.

Little did I know then that this was life’s metaphor playing out before my eyes. Life’s challenges always come in waves don’t they? And Every time I have been accosted by an unexpected wave that overwhelms me, Pappa has always been there- holding me, guiding me, protecting me. Always ensuring that I land safely.

#waves #memories #father #gratitude

Aug 01, 2022 6:17:11 am

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Memories of Mum’s Food Tomato rice Dear Ma  Tomato rice – I recently made some and thought it was almost close to how you make this super quick yet tasty meal. This for me is a huge achievement. Funnily enough, tomato rice takes me back to college days. Days when perhaps canteen food was more accessible and tempting. But do you know what? No amount or variety of college canteen food, be it samosas, hakka noodles or masala Pav helped calm my nerves during particularly daunting days fraught with competitive exams and challenging assignments. Tomato rice that you expertly packed in my purple Tupperware box served to reassure me that all would be well. It’s distinct flavour fuelled by your love kept me going. No surprises then that I end up cooking it myself now, on days that seem overwhelming even before they’ve begun. #memories #food #mother

Memories of Mum’s Food

Tomato rice

Dear Ma

 Tomato rice – I recently made some and thought it was almost close to how you make this super quick yet tasty meal. This for me is a huge achievement. Funnily enough, tomato rice takes me back to college days. Days when perhaps canteen food was more accessible and tempting. But do you know what? No amount or variety of college canteen food, be it samosas, hakka noodles or masala Pav helped calm my nerves during particularly daunting days fraught with competitive exams and challenging assignments. Tomato rice that you expertly packed in my purple Tupperware box served to reassure me that all would be well. It’s distinct flavour fuelled by your love kept me going. No surprises then that I end up cooking it myself now, on days that seem overwhelming even before they’ve begun.

#memories #food #mother

Jul 29, 2022 7:42:39 am

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What Is Five? Today was your last day of reception at school. You are still four. Like some summer babies, the school year has ended before you turn five. What is five? I wondered. Yesterday was your last day of drama club and you bounded into the house with some sweets in your hand. “The teacher gave them to us mummy,” you declared happily. I saw your best friend eating a lollipop and I asked you why you hadn’t chosen a lollipop as it’s your favourite . During this conversation you were sweetly sharing the sweets with your baby brother who was extremely excited to see both the sweets and you. “You can choose only one sweetie mummy” you explained to me “and I chose the sweets because I can share them with Baby R. If I chose the lollipop, I wouldn’t have been able to do that, see?”. At that moment I was lost for words by your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your ability to empathise at such a young age. If this is four, I thought to myself, bring on five! #5 #ThisIs5 #StopGrowingUpSoFast #BestBigBrother #my1stborn #unconditionallove

What Is Five?

Today was your last day of reception at school. You are still four. Like some summer babies, the school year has ended before you turn five. What is five? I wondered.

Yesterday was your last day of drama club and you bounded into the house with some sweets in your hand. “The teacher gave them to us mummy,” you declared happily.

I saw your best friend eating a lollipop and I asked you why you hadn’t chosen a lollipop as it’s your favourite . During this conversation you were sweetly sharing the sweets with your baby brother who was extremely excited to see both the sweets and you.

“You can choose only one sweetie mummy” you explained to me “and I chose the sweets because I can share them with Baby R. If I chose the lollipop, I wouldn’t have been able to do that, see?”. At that moment I was lost for words by your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your ability to empathise at such a young age.

If this is four, I thought to myself, bring on five!

#5 #ThisIs5 #StopGrowingUpSoFast #BestBigBrother #my1stborn #unconditionallove

Jul 25, 2022 9:59:38 am

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Memories of Mum’s food (5/7) Custard & Jelly Dear Ma Growing up, All my birthdays were made very memorable thanks to the absolutely amazing custard and jelly that you would magically present to me as part of my birthday dinner. Well, it seemed like magic then but now I know how much thought and effort you put in to it to fulfill my desire. Some years we had three different types of jelly, other years the custard had loads of fruit and still other years were blessed with wobbly jelly of different shapes. On every birthday I used to eagerly await dessert and was never ever disappointed. Thank you for making it so special for me. Now when I’m pressed for time, I end up buying ready custard from the supermarket. It just doesn’t cut it. After all, it doesn’t have your magic touch, does it?! #memoriesofmumsfood #DearMa #mother #custard #jelly

Memories of Mum’s food (5/7)

Custard & Jelly

Dear Ma

Growing up, All my birthdays were made very memorable thanks to the absolutely amazing custard and jelly that you would magically present to me as part of my birthday dinner. Well, it seemed like magic then but now I know how much thought and effort you put in to it to fulfill my desire. Some years we had three different types of jelly, other years the custard had loads of fruit and still other years were blessed with wobbly jelly of different shapes. On every birthday I used to eagerly await dessert and was never ever disappointed. Thank you for making it so special for me. Now when I’m pressed for time, I end up buying ready custard from the supermarket. It just doesn’t cut it. After all, it doesn’t have your magic touch, does it?!

#memoriesofmumsfood #DearMa #mother #custard #jelly

Jul 24, 2022 6:55:56 am

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Memories of mum’s food (4/7) Curd Rice “Dear Ma This screams comfort food to me and it’s all because of you! Eating this humble combination as part of our staple diet at home, it’s regular appearance in our school dabbas and it accompanying us on long train journeys or road trips. Just like these beautiful memories, the presence of curd rice will always be reassuring. I remember how you allude to curd rice to help set things right. Whether it’s an upset tummy or exhausted mummy, I too now wholly rely on it. It’s always my back up plan, my very own knight in shining armour. (I know you can’t help visualising that glistening curd, set in the little stainless steel jar, sitting upon the dining table; patiently awaiting its turn amongst its more flashy counterparts- the pickle and papad!))” #memoriesofmumsfood #mother #DearMa Picture- Aparna Vijayan 

Memories of mum’s food (4/7)

Curd Rice

“Dear Ma

This screams comfort food to me and it’s all because of you! Eating this humble combination as part of our staple diet at home, it’s regular appearance in our school dabbas and it accompanying us on long train journeys or road trips. Just like these beautiful memories, the presence of curd rice will always be reassuring. I remember how you allude to curd rice to help set things right. Whether it’s an upset tummy or exhausted mummy, I too now wholly rely on it. It’s always my back up plan, my very own knight in shining armour. (I know you can’t help visualising that glistening curd, set in the little stainless steel jar, sitting upon the dining table; patiently awaiting its turn amongst its more flashy counterparts- the pickle and papad!))”

#memoriesofmumsfood #mother #DearMa

Picture- Aparna Vijayan


Jul 23, 2022 12:45:56 pm

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Memories of Mum’s food (3/7) Masala Dosa “Dear Ma I’m not exaggerating here when I say you truly make the best masala dosa. Sunday breakfasts at home are filled with memories of hot masala dosas fresh off the tava and into our plates all thanks to you. You took great care to cater to how each of us likes our dosa in terms of crispness, amount of potato bhaaji and chutney. You would lovingly make a number of dosas to feed your ravenous brood , never tiring even during Mumbai’s sweltering summer. This was your love in it’s truest form and for which I remain eternally grateful. I can also never forget how your masala dosas satisfied my pregnancy cravings. No wonder that both your grandsons are huge dosa fans. There’s a dosa gene. I’m sure of it! Art / Alka Jha #Mother #MemoriesOfMumsFood #Memories

Memories of Mum’s food (3/7)

Masala Dosa

“Dear Ma

I’m not exaggerating here when I say you truly make the best masala dosa. Sunday breakfasts at home are filled with memories of hot masala dosas fresh off the tava and into our plates all thanks to you. You took great care to cater to how each of us likes our dosa in terms of crispness, amount of potato bhaaji and chutney. You would lovingly make a number of dosas to feed your ravenous brood , never tiring even during Mumbai’s sweltering summer. This was your love in it’s truest form and for which I remain eternally grateful. I can also never forget how your masala dosas satisfied my pregnancy cravings. No wonder that both your grandsons are huge dosa fans. There’s a dosa gene. I’m sure of it!

Art / Alka Jha

#Mother #MemoriesOfMumsFood #Memories

Jul 22, 2022 1:44:50 pm

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Memories of Mum’s Food (2/7) Coriander “Dear Ma Green masala fish, pulao, mixed vegetables; basically anything tastes delicious in this fragrant green masala that you whip up using coriander in abundance. Your bias towards this herb is well known in the family. Even at potluck gatherings I’d immediately know what you had made by just looking at the dish which was always beautifully garnished with coriander. The way it was chopped (fine) and the manner in which it was sprinkled (generously covering the top) were subtle giveaways. The fact that you have three different types of coriander chutneys in your repertoire is evidence enough for your affinity towards the humble coriander. So, maybe subconsciously but coriander is always on my grocery shopping list and I use it as you would- liberally.” #mother #memoriesoffood #DearMa

Memories of Mum’s Food (2/7)

Coriander

“Dear Ma

Green masala fish, pulao, mixed vegetables; basically anything tastes delicious in this fragrant green masala that you whip up using coriander in abundance. Your bias towards this herb is well known in the family. Even at potluck gatherings I’d immediately know what you had made by just looking at the dish which was always beautifully garnished with coriander. The way it was chopped (fine) and the manner in which it was sprinkled (generously covering the top) were subtle giveaways. The fact that you have three different types of coriander chutneys in your repertoire is evidence enough for your affinity towards the humble coriander. So, maybe subconsciously but coriander is always on my grocery shopping list and I use it as you would- liberally.”

#mother #memoriesoffood #DearMa

Jul 21, 2022 12:46:02 pm

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One of my essays was published as part of an anthology by Writefluence. The essay is a letter to my mother where I reflect upon food and drink that reminds me of her. I will share with you a small note on each in this space. Feeding is one of the earliest connections between mother and child so I’m not entirely surprised that I seek to find it in food. Perhaps her glimpses in food. So here goes Coffee “Dear Ma, I can almost hear you let out a little giggle because we all know you absolutely love your cuppa coffee and are fiercely protective about drinking it steaming hot. Filter coffee will always remind me of you. Your early morning ritual of preparing the coffee decoction, you and Pappa enjoying your coffee in companionable silence before you are ambushed by the chaos of the day. I still remember your jhatpat breakfast of Pav dunked in coffee, something that I came to relish too and look forward to every time I’m able to lay my hands on some precious Pav here in the UK.” Picture- JOSIE ©mommy.snippets #DearMa #mother #Food #MemoriesOfFood 

One of my essays was published as part of an anthology by Writefluence. The essay is a letter to my mother where I reflect upon food and drink that reminds me of her. I will share with you a small note on each in this space.

Feeding is one of the earliest connections between mother and child so I’m not entirely surprised that I seek to find it in food. Perhaps her glimpses in food.

So here goes

Coffee

“Dear Ma,

I can almost hear you let out a little giggle because we all know you absolutely love your cuppa coffee and are fiercely protective about drinking it steaming hot. Filter coffee will always remind me of you. Your early morning ritual of preparing the coffee decoction, you and Pappa enjoying your coffee in companionable silence before you are ambushed by the chaos of the day. I still remember your jhatpat breakfast of Pav dunked in coffee, something that I came to relish too and look forward to every time I’m able to lay my hands on some precious Pav here in the UK.”

Picture- JOSIE

©mommy.snippets

#DearMa #mother #Food #MemoriesOfFood 

Jul 20, 2022 11:33:58 am

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Hottest Day Of The Year 2022 Today, five years ago a week before your due date the UK was graced with a heat wave. It wasn’t as bad as it is today, the hottest day of the year, perhaps the hottest day ever for this island country. I remember sitting in front of a table fan with my big belly trying to cool down from the heat as well as my raging pregnancy hormones. You, my summer baby, were born in the peak of this glorious season. I like to call it my favourite season because I suppose it really reminds me of the tropical weather of my motherland. Today, you are going to school in your own clothes. The school is doing everything it can to make sure that you and your peers are comfortable in this scorching heat. “It is hotter than Mumbai mummy,” you tell me. Your recent ability to read and comprehend still mesmerises me. As I try to reflect on this same time five years ago, your little brother interrupts my flow of thought. In fact, this is the third time he’s doing it. This time round he wants to go into the garden and ride his bike so I have ended up with sticky fingers owing to slathering him with a thick layer of sunscreen. As I gather my thoughts once again I feel like I’m overcome with a plethora emotions because I realise that a lot has changed over these five years. However what is constant is your unconditional love and that cheeky smile. Time is rushing by little boy. Let me dwell in your littleness a while longer. For now, I cannot wait for you to get back home, rosy cheeks from this sunny weather and say “It’s boiling outside Mummy, I deserve an ice lolly!!” ©mommy.snippets #SnapshotOfSummer2022 #Summer2022 #Motherhood #5 #StopGrowingSoFast #SummerBaby #HeatWave #hottestdayoftheyear

Hottest Day Of The Year 2022

Today, five years ago a week before your due date the UK was graced with a heat wave. It wasn’t as bad as it is today, the hottest day of the year, perhaps the hottest day ever for this island country. I remember sitting in front of a table fan with my big belly trying to cool down from the heat as well as my raging pregnancy hormones. You, my summer baby, were born in the peak of this glorious season. I like to call it my favourite season because I suppose it really reminds me of the tropical weather of my motherland.

Today, you are going to school in your own clothes. The school is doing everything it can to make sure that you and your peers are comfortable in this scorching heat. “It is hotter than Mumbai mummy,” you tell me. Your recent ability to read and comprehend still mesmerises me.

As I try to reflect on this same time five years ago, your little brother interrupts my flow of thought. In fact, this is the third time he’s doing it. This time round he wants to go into the garden and ride his bike so I have ended up with sticky fingers owing to slathering him with a thick layer of sunscreen. As I gather my thoughts once again I feel like I’m overcome with a plethora emotions because I realise that a lot has changed over these five years. However what is constant is your unconditional love and that cheeky smile.

Time is rushing by little boy. Let me dwell in your littleness a while longer. For now, I cannot wait for you to get back home, rosy cheeks from this sunny weather and say “It’s boiling outside Mummy, I deserve an ice lolly!!”

©mommy.snippets

#SnapshotOfSummer2022 #Summer2022 #Motherhood #5 #StopGrowingSoFast #SummerBaby #HeatWave #hottestdayoftheyear

Jul 19, 2022 12:40:00 pm

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Summer Heat The heat settles upon me. It is half past one in the afternoon. The Sun is ruthless, beating down on a demographic that is entirely clueless as to how to deal with its wrath. This heat reminds me of Mumbai summers- Of hot afternoons where I am waiting for a bus home from the University of Mumbai. Apart from the sun’s powerful rays, I have to contend with the pollution resulting from constant ongoing traffic and the unwelcome male gaze. I think about the cool shade of home, that glass of water that my grandmother will lovingly bring to me and the feel of tiles almost ice cold against the burning soles of my feet. However much I want to complain, this feeling is nostalgic, reminding me of another time in another place. I think about how I have acclimatised myself to a mostly cold country, my body having forgotten how to cope with the severity of heat. So whilst I might join in with the general banter about how hot it is, I may be secretly grateful for experiencing this raw semblance of summer’s offering all over again. ©mommy.snippets #SnapshotsOfSummer2022 #Summer2022 #SummerMemories #Nostalgia #summerheatwave

Summer Heat

The heat settles upon me. It is half past one in the afternoon. The Sun is ruthless, beating down on a demographic that is entirely clueless as to how to deal with its wrath. This heat reminds me of Mumbai summers- Of hot afternoons where I am waiting for a bus home from the University of Mumbai. Apart from the sun’s powerful rays, I have to contend with the pollution resulting from constant ongoing traffic and the unwelcome male gaze. I think about the cool shade of home, that glass of water that my grandmother will lovingly bring to me and the feel of tiles almost ice cold against the burning soles of my feet.

However much I want to complain, this feeling is nostalgic, reminding me of another time in another place. I think about how I have acclimatised myself to a mostly cold country, my body having forgotten how to cope with the severity of heat. So whilst I might join in with the general banter about how hot it is, I may be secretly grateful for experiencing this raw semblance of summer’s offering all over again.

©mommy.snippets

#SnapshotsOfSummer2022 #Summer2022 #SummerMemories #Nostalgia #summerheatwave

Jul 18, 2022 3:15:47 pm

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Nothingness This feeling of nothingness washes over me. A hundred chores are calling out to me in distressed voices, vying desperately for my attention. Yet, I dwell in this feeling of nothingness, where I want to just be, allowing my mind to suspend itself just for a few moments without being cornered by the reality of routine. So, I lie down on my bed in the middle of the morning. I feel defiant almost doing this, what society would label as laziness. But what I am doing is giving my body a chance to rest. I can hear my children shouting and screaming in the background, in the midst of what appears to be an exciting role-play of sorts. My husband is overseeing them , so my alarm bells aren’t ringing as strongly as they normally would . Even as I try to push away the demands of the every day, the thought of laundry, meals and important appointments for the week ahead, these attempt to claw their way back into my mind. I close my eyes tightly in the hope that they will go away. But, they linger on like the stale smell of leftover food. I try and concentrate on the now, this moment. I am grateful for my being, this unfamiliar sense of calm. Suddenly I hear a crash and bang. I am rudely awakened out of this almost blissful state. Alas! nothingness will have to wait. ©mommy.snippets #sundayvibes #Nothingness #SnapshotsOfSummer2022 #Summer2022 #Calm #herviewfromhome

Nothingness

This feeling of nothingness washes over me. A hundred chores are calling out to me in distressed voices, vying desperately for my attention. Yet, I dwell in this feeling of nothingness, where I want to just be, allowing my mind to suspend itself just for a few moments without being cornered by the reality of routine. So, I lie down on my bed in the middle of the morning. I feel defiant almost doing this, what society would label as laziness. But what I am doing is giving my body a chance to rest.

I can hear my children shouting and screaming in the background, in the midst of what appears to be an exciting role-play of sorts. My husband is overseeing them , so my alarm bells aren’t ringing as strongly as they normally would .

Even as I try to push away the demands of the every day, the thought of laundry, meals and important appointments for the week ahead, these attempt to claw their way back into my mind. I close my eyes tightly in the hope that they will go away. But, they linger on like the stale smell of leftover food. I try and concentrate on the now, this moment. I am grateful for my being, this unfamiliar sense of calm. Suddenly I hear a crash and bang. I am rudely awakened out of this almost blissful state. Alas! nothingness will have to wait.

©mommy.snippets

#sundayvibes #Nothingness #SnapshotsOfSummer2022 #Summer2022 #Calm #herviewfromhome

Jul 17, 2022 10:26:53 am

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Summertime Nostalgia We have a heat wave in the UK. It doesn’t happen very often, perhaps once or twice a year if you’re lucky. We are always prepared for it though, the optimists that we have learnt to become. Today, our home smelt of sunscreen, its fragrance overpowering my nostrils, perhaps seeping in through to my soul. At that moment, I couldn’t help but think that years from now I will perhaps be overcome with waves of nostalgia at the smell of sunscreen. It will bring back memories of this time when the two of you were little boys carefully applying sunscreen on your delicate skin, sweetly asking me whether you can go out to play. It will remind me of your sun kissed cheeks, your hair sticking slightly to the edges of your face, your hands and feet grubby with outdoor play. It will remind me of bright orange ice lollies, too big for your little hands, your face full of concentration trying to devour it with all your might and its melting rivulets streaming down your small arms. It will remind me of your open toed sandals which we got to use just for 2 months in a year -The animated faces of dinosaurs and sharks on your little feet, running around in the garden.. It will remind me of the tea parties that we organised for your soft toys, super heroes, PAW Patrol characters, PJ Masks, and Peppa Pig and how you both would be adamant about who would serve whom and what. The whole scene, entirely endearing. It will remind me of how the both of you went absolutely delirious playing with the hosepipe, spraying each other with water and squealing with absolute delight. It will remind me of your sense of wonder at the bees and the birds, quite literally of course. It will remind me of the both of you biking in the garden, sometimes following each other, at other times racing wildly. It will remind me of the perennially muddy floors of the family room thanks to your shoes when you ran in and out of the house without a care in the world. It’ll remind me of really long bug hunts where you would be on the hunt for spotting worms, ladybirds, beetles, spiders and so on.. It will remind me of all those times where the both of you collected flowers and weeds from the garden and handed it out to me with such innocent love that I was completely smitten. But most of all it will remind me of your little smiling faces, its warmth enveloping my soul long after summer comes to an end ☀️ #SnapshotsOfSummer2022 #Summer2022 #Summer #SummerNostalgia #myboysmyworld

Summertime Nostalgia

We have a heat wave in the UK. It doesn’t happen very often, perhaps once or twice a year if you’re lucky. We are always prepared for it though, the optimists that we have learnt to become. Today, our home smelt of sunscreen, its fragrance overpowering my nostrils, perhaps seeping in through to my soul. At that moment, I couldn’t help but think that years from now I will perhaps be overcome with waves of nostalgia at the smell of sunscreen. It will bring back memories of this time when the two of you were little boys carefully applying sunscreen on your delicate skin, sweetly asking me whether you can go out to play.

It will remind me of your sun kissed cheeks, your hair sticking slightly to the edges of your face, your hands and feet grubby with outdoor play.

It will remind me of bright orange ice lollies, too big for your little hands, your face full of concentration trying to devour it with all your might and its melting rivulets streaming down your small arms.

It will remind me of your open toed sandals which we got to use just for 2 months in a year -The animated faces of dinosaurs and sharks on your little feet, running around in the garden..

It will remind me of the tea parties that we organised for your soft toys, super heroes, PAW Patrol characters, PJ Masks, and Peppa Pig and how you both would be adamant about who would serve whom and what. The whole scene, entirely endearing.

It will remind me of how the both of you went absolutely delirious playing with the hosepipe, spraying each other with water and squealing with absolute delight.

It will remind me of your sense of wonder at the bees and the birds, quite literally of course.

It will remind me of the both of you biking in the garden, sometimes following each other, at other times racing wildly.

It will remind me of the perennially muddy floors of the family room thanks to your shoes when you ran in and out of the house without a care in the world.

It’ll remind me of really long bug hunts where you would be on the hunt for spotting worms, ladybirds, beetles, spiders and so on..

It will remind me of all those times where the both of you collected flowers and weeds from the garden and handed it out to me with such innocent love that I was completely smitten.

But most of all it will remind me of your little smiling faces, its warmth enveloping my soul long after summer comes to an end ☀️

#SnapshotsOfSummer2022 #Summer2022 #Summer #SummerNostalgia #myboysmyworld

Jul 14, 2022 7:08:12 am

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Nourish Today we both need to slow down and try to reset our bodies. You at two years of age seem to understand this pretty well and I’m pleasantly surprised. You initiate book reading and even bring me your favourite books to read to you. The morning passes by as we read book after book, sitting on our bed instead of in the living room. I constantly wonder about what to offer you for lunch because you tend to be even more fussy when you are a bit poorly. Even food needs to be simple to help us deal with mostly annoying ailments. So I gravitate towards fruit, yoghurt, sandwiches. Food that is healthy yet not taxing on my already tired mind and body. It is interesting for me to reflect upon how at times like this I seek out nourishment. Of the body and of the mind. Food and books, books and food. A cycle that we have come to rely on until we are back in form. #SnapshotsOfSummer2022 #Summer2022 #Nourishment #Motherhood

Nourish

Today we both need to slow down and try to reset our bodies. You at two years of age seem to understand this pretty well and I’m pleasantly surprised. You initiate book reading and even bring me your favourite books to read to you. The morning passes by as we read book after book, sitting on our bed instead of in the living room.

I constantly wonder about what to offer you for lunch because you tend to be even more fussy when you are a bit poorly. Even food needs to be simple to help us deal with mostly annoying ailments. So I gravitate towards fruit, yoghurt, sandwiches. Food that is healthy yet not taxing on my already tired mind and body.

It is interesting for me to reflect upon how at times like this I seek out nourishment. Of the body and of the mind. Food and books, books and food. A cycle that we have come to rely on until we are back in form.

#SnapshotsOfSummer2022 #Summer2022 #Nourishment #Motherhood

Jul 12, 2022 11:10:01 am

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InBetweenness It’s been four and a half years since I last visited the motherland. I don’t know when I stopped calling it home. This concept is elusive to someone like me who left one place for another many years ago. I have always asked myself this question, tried to seek out its answers in literature and other art forms. Is home only a place, or is it more often the people that we associate it with? I look forward to going to the airport first. The journey to the motherland is a nine hour flight away covering almost 6000 miles. Nothing captures the essence of the Inbetween more than this feeling of being suspended in space between two countries, two continents, two places both so different located in different parts of the world. It is this InBetweenness that I have come to adopt over the last few years. A state I have learnt how to be comfortable with. This in betweenness is reflected in my day-to-day life. The clothes I wear, the food I eat, the way I speak, always trying to fit in and assimilate wherever I am. Yet not quite fully there. Somewhere along the years gone by parts of me have been left behind, some parts have been transformed still others remain the same. I wonder what my children will think of the land I grew up in, the place I used to call home. I am excited to show them my playground my school and the neighbourhood. I also wonder whether they would like the food since their pallette is extremely British. And oh what about the sought after British accent? Would they be asked to repeat sentences just for the sake of it? Would they be able to communicate effectively with family? What role would I have to play? A translator or just a facilitator? These questions keep playing on my mind but at some level I know that it’ll all be okay, it’ll all turn out fine. After all we are going home aren’t we? ©mommy.snippets Photo. @[100063958604121:2048:Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye] ❤️ #inbetween #whatishome #home #snapshotsofsummer2022

InBetweenness

It’s been four and a half years since I last visited the motherland. I don’t know when I stopped calling it home. This concept is elusive to someone like me who left one place for another many years ago. I have always asked myself this question, tried to seek out its answers in literature and other art forms. Is home only a place, or is it more often the people that we associate it with?

I look forward to going to the airport first. The journey to the motherland is a nine hour flight away covering almost 6000 miles. Nothing captures the essence of the Inbetween more than this feeling of being suspended in space between two countries, two continents, two places both so different located in different parts of the world. It is this InBetweenness that I have come to adopt over the last few years. A state I have learnt how to be comfortable with. This in betweenness is reflected in my day-to-day life. The clothes I wear, the food I eat, the way I speak, always trying to fit in and assimilate wherever I am. Yet not quite fully there.

Somewhere along the years gone by parts of me have been left behind, some parts have been transformed still others remain the same. I wonder what my children will think of the land I grew up in, the place I used to call home. I am excited to show them my playground my school and the neighbourhood. I also wonder whether they would like the food since their pallette is extremely British. And oh what about the sought after British accent? Would they be asked to repeat sentences just for the sake of it? Would they be able to communicate effectively with family? What role would I have to play? A translator or just a facilitator? These questions keep playing on my mind but at some level I know that it’ll all be okay, it’ll all turn out fine. After all we are going home aren’t we?

©mommy.snippets

Photo. Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye ❤️

#inbetween #whatishome #home #snapshotsofsummer2022

Jul 11, 2022 12:37:43 pm

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Hyde Park – July 2022 We visited hype Hyde Park today after what felt like ages. In fact we went into central London after a long time and it brought back so many memories of the time I was at university at the LSE. There’s something about a place that holds a truckload of memories. Hyde Park reminds me of carefree days, warm summers and young love. It also holds within its green expanse fleeting memories of laughing out loud with colleagues, studying for university exams, and that first year I came to this country as a student. Has much changed? Yes and No. I am still sitting here thinking. But instead of thinking about studies and books and what the future holds, I’m thinking about what I need to make for dinner, whether the kids will be overtired and the deadline for my next article amongst a million other thoughts that ebb and flow in my mind. My thoughts are interrupted by my children chasing pigeons in the park. So , I take loads of pictures on my phone to capture these moments, making memories as we go along. ©mommy.snippets #London #HydePark #Nostalgia #snapshotsofsummer2022

Place: Hyde Park, London (51.505032980451, -0.16015640613194)

Address: W2 2UH

Hyde Park – July 2022

We visited hype Hyde Park today after what felt like ages. In fact we went into central London after a long time and it brought back so many memories of the time I was at university at the LSE. There’s something about a place that holds a truckload of memories.

Hyde Park reminds me of carefree days, warm summers and young love. It also holds within its green expanse fleeting memories of laughing out loud with colleagues, studying for university exams, and that first year I came to this country as a student.

Has much changed? Yes and No. I am still sitting here thinking. But instead of thinking about studies and books and what the future holds, I’m thinking about what I need to make for dinner, whether the kids will be overtired and the deadline for my next article amongst a million other thoughts that ebb and flow in my mind.

My thoughts are interrupted by my children chasing pigeons in the park. So , I take loads of pictures on my phone to capture these moments, making memories as we go along.

©mommy.snippets

#London #HydePark #Nostalgia #snapshotsofsummer2022

Jul 10, 2022 9:50:37 am

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This is a short note of genuine thanks to each and everyone of you who take the time to read my work, like a post, leave a comment. It means a lot to me. More than you can imagine. It is very heartening to know that my writing resonates with so many of you. Thank you for all your love. Love has poured in from the most unexpected sources whilst consistent stoic silence has spoken volumes too. I started Notes On The Go to appreciate the everyday, to preserve the ordinary moments and be grateful for the little things in life. Thank you for all your love. You know who you are. #gratitude #thankyou #thankyounote ❤️

This is a short note of genuine thanks to each and everyone of you who take the time to read my work, like a post, leave a comment. It means a lot to me. More than you can imagine. It is very heartening to know that my writing resonates with so many of you. Thank you for all your love. Love has poured in from the most unexpected sources whilst consistent stoic silence has spoken volumes too. I started Notes On The Go to appreciate the everyday, to preserve the ordinary moments and be grateful for the little things in life. Thank you for all your love. You know who you are.

#gratitude #thankyou #thankyounote ❤️

Jul 08, 2022 7:26:07 pm

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Freezing Time Summer’s breath on my back is gentle. I sit upon the grass watching the two of you run around the garden chasing each other. The only time you stop is when you spot yellow butterflies hovering around crimson red poppies. “Look Mummy, look!” you shout out, the excitement washing over you, reminding me of the high tide at sea. And just like the high tide, you draw me into your wondrous world. You ask me what the butterflies are doing Where they sleep and if they sleep with their wings open. You decide that the four butterflies are a family “just like the four of us” you sweetly say. It is moments like this when I want to savour and hold your innocence within my heart But all I do is write. Foolishly trying to freeze time. ©mommy.snippets #Childhood #Motherhood #Innocence #FreezingTime #Summer

Freezing Time

Summer’s breath on my back is gentle.
I sit upon the grass watching the two of you run around the garden chasing each other.
The only time you stop is when you spot yellow butterflies hovering around crimson red poppies.
“Look Mummy, look!” you shout out, the excitement washing over you,
reminding me of the high tide at sea.
And just like the high tide, you draw me into your wondrous world.
You ask me what the butterflies are doing
Where they sleep and if they sleep with their wings open.
You decide that the four butterflies are a family
“just like the four of us” you sweetly say.

It is moments like this when I want to savour
and hold your innocence within my heart
But all I do is write.
Foolishly trying to freeze time.

©mommy.snippets

#Childhood #Motherhood #Innocence #FreezingTime #Summer

Jul 08, 2022 10:43:30 am

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Aunties Aunties are a special breed aren’t they? A jolly mix of mum and friend, your cheerleaders, role models and secret keepers I have been blessed with the most wonderful aunts. I remember wearing my aunt’s shoes as a toddler. My aunt has a penchant for shoes and slippers. I used to be fascinated by looking at her beautiful collection. I still have a very vivid memory of a pair of black pointy shoes with heels that she had once worn. They were left by the door and I had my eye on them ever since she walked in. Whilst my family was distracted in the living room catching up with each other over cups of tea, I slunk away towards this coveted pair of shoes. I gingerly stepped into them and walked the length of the corridor to our bedroom which had a full length mirror. Once there, I attempted a pirouette and twirl without much success of course. I came crashing down which alerted my mum and aunt who came running to make sure that I was okay. When they saw me they couldn’t help but have an amused smile on their faces. “I’ll buy you a pair when you grow up” my aunt conspiratorially told me. And it was then that I couldn’t wait to grow up! #aunt #aunties #blessedwiththebest #gratitude

Aunties

Aunties are a special breed aren’t they? A jolly mix of mum and friend, your cheerleaders, role models and secret keepers

I have been blessed with the most wonderful aunts. I remember wearing my aunt’s shoes as a toddler. My aunt has a penchant for shoes and slippers. I used to be fascinated by looking at her beautiful collection. I still have a very vivid memory of a pair of black pointy shoes with heels that she had once worn. They were left by the door and I had my eye on them ever since she walked in. Whilst my family was distracted in the living room catching up with each other over cups of tea, I slunk away towards this coveted pair of shoes. I gingerly stepped into them and walked the length of the corridor to our bedroom which had a full length mirror. Once there, I attempted a pirouette and twirl without much success of course. I came crashing down which alerted my mum and aunt who came running to make sure that I was okay. When they saw me they couldn’t help but have an amused smile on their faces. “I’ll buy you a pair when you grow up” my aunt conspiratorially told me.

And it was then that I couldn’t wait to grow up!

#aunt #aunties #blessedwiththebest #gratitude

Jul 06, 2022 10:11:10 am

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Carter Road Carter Road with its beautiful promenade makes for a very picturesque scene especially during sunrise and sunset. The gorgeous waves of the Arabian sea lapping up against the rocks, the seabreeze shuffling my hair, and playing havoc with my skirt. I have many memories of Carter Road from when I was in school to my college days and finally when I began working. I remember running the length of Carter Road as part of training during my hockey days. Our coach made us run the whole stretch from Pali hill to Carter Road and back to our school on Hill Road. I remember being very exhausted by the end of it. There were many times that I wanted to give up but didn’t. That will stay with me for life. That learning will stay with me for life. Carter’s was the place to meet school friends once we started college -all of us in different ones thanks to the subjects we’d chosen. Then when we began working, we started meeting in the many restaurants in Carter Road. This was a step up from meeting just by the promenade. Carter Road in the rain is a site to behold. It is a moment that needs to be experienced. No umbrella will help you from the onslaught of the rain combined with the waves crashing against the rocks and spraying you with the delights of the sea. There is something about the sea that is present within me. I prefer the seaside to mountains, swimming to hiking. Having access to Carter Road when growing up was certainly a privilege. One that I am grateful for. Today, in moments of stress, thinking about the sea water spraying me does help me to calm down and brings a smile to my face. mommy.snippets Art: Tushar M Shetty #carterroad #mumbai #mumbaiseries #nostalgia

Place: Carter Road (19.068218116742, 72.823072417246)

Address: Bandra (west), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 400050

Carter Road

Carter Road with its beautiful promenade makes for a very picturesque scene especially during sunrise and sunset. The gorgeous waves of the Arabian sea lapping up against the rocks, the seabreeze shuffling my hair, and playing havoc with my skirt. I have many memories of Carter Road from when I was in school to my college days and finally when I began working.

I remember running the length of Carter Road as part of training during my hockey days. Our coach made us run the whole stretch from Pali hill to Carter Road and back to our school on Hill Road. I remember being very exhausted by the end of it. There were many times that I wanted to give up but didn’t. That will stay with me for life. That learning will stay with me for life.

Carter’s was the place to meet school friends once we started college -all of us in different ones thanks to the subjects we’d chosen. Then when we began working, we started meeting in the many restaurants in Carter Road. This was a step up from meeting just by the promenade.

Carter Road in the rain is a site to behold. It is a moment that needs to be experienced. No umbrella will help you from the onslaught of the rain combined with the waves crashing against the rocks and spraying you with the delights of the sea. There is something about the sea that is present within me. I prefer the seaside to mountains, swimming to hiking. Having access to Carter Road when growing up was certainly a privilege. One that I am grateful for.

Today, in moments of stress, thinking about the sea water spraying me does help me to calm down and brings a smile to my face.

mommy.snippets

Art: Tushar M Shetty

#carterroad #mumbai #mumbaiseries #nostalgia

Jul 04, 2022 1:31:51 pm

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Crawford Market I was first introduced to Crawford market by my best friend during our first few weeks at St Xavier’s College. The market was a few minutes walk away from the college and I remember going there on days when we finished our classes early. Indian markets are an overload of sensory stimuli. They effortlessly stimulate all five senses, sometimes all at once. The noise of traffic along with the voices of shopkeepers selling their wares, the sight of people, animals and things, the smell of flowers mixed with street food and incense sticks and the touch of what you are there to buy ranging from vegetables to clothes. The first thing that attracts your eye is Crawford market’s stunning Victorian architecture. The market houses a variety of goods ranging from a pin to an aeroplane so to speak. My favourite part of the market is the fruit market which is very colourful and beautifully displayed. As college students, my best friend and I would frequent a beauty store which would stock various beauty products at wholesale prices. Nail polishes, nail files, lipsticks, kohl, eyeshadow, face products and on and on and on. The shop was air-conditioned so entering that shop in the midst of a sweltering 37° was bliss and browsing beauty products was a cherry on the cake. I remember, one summer afternoon my friend and I became very adventurous and ventured out into the bylanes of Crawford market on the hunt for trinkets and such. At the end of it we were so sunburnt and tired that we trundled into Badshah snack centre. Perhaps this iconic restaurant deserves a note for itself but I will just say that it was one of the best, most memorable meals of my life. Picture me and my friend too tired to walk, and so hungry that the first thing we ordered was Mosambi juice along with the Mumbai toasted sandwich. I can still feel the flavours of that meal on my tongue. We then finished off the meal by devouring a tall glass full of ice cold falooda. I sometimes wonder if that beauty store is still around. I hope I get to visit Crawford market sometime soon and recreate all these precious memories – with my best friend of course! mommy.snippets Art – Tushar M Shetty #Mumbai #CrawfordMarket #Memories #Nostalgia #MumbaiSeries #Badshah

Place: Crawford Market (18.947414, 72.83471)

Address: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Crawford Market

I was first introduced to Crawford market by my best friend during our first few weeks at St Xavier’s College. The market was a few minutes walk away from the college and I remember going there on days when we finished our classes early.

Indian markets are an overload of sensory stimuli. They effortlessly stimulate all five senses, sometimes all at once. The noise of traffic along with the voices of shopkeepers selling their wares, the sight of people, animals and things, the smell of flowers mixed with street food and incense sticks and the touch of what you are there to buy ranging from vegetables to clothes.

The first thing that attracts your eye is Crawford market’s stunning Victorian architecture. The market houses a variety of goods ranging from a pin to an aeroplane so to speak. My favourite part of the market is the fruit market which is very colourful and beautifully displayed. As college students, my best friend and I would frequent a beauty store which would stock various beauty products at wholesale prices. Nail polishes, nail files, lipsticks, kohl, eyeshadow, face products and on and on and on. The shop was air-conditioned so entering that shop in the midst of a sweltering 37° was bliss and browsing beauty products was a cherry on the cake.

I remember, one summer afternoon my friend and I became very adventurous and ventured out into the bylanes of Crawford market on the hunt for trinkets and such. At the end of it we were so sunburnt and tired that we trundled into Badshah snack centre. Perhaps this iconic restaurant deserves a note for itself but I will just say that it was one of the best, most memorable meals of my life. Picture me and my friend too tired to walk, and so hungry that the first thing we ordered was Mosambi juice along with the Mumbai toasted sandwich. I can still feel the flavours of that meal on my tongue. We then finished off the meal by devouring a tall glass full of ice cold falooda.

I sometimes wonder if that beauty store is still around. I hope I get to visit Crawford market sometime soon and recreate all these precious memories – with my best friend of course!

mommy.snippets

Art – Tushar M Shetty

#Mumbai #CrawfordMarket #Memories #Nostalgia #MumbaiSeries #Badshah

Jul 03, 2022 10:42:08 am

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Bandra Bungalows Bandra is dotted with beautiful bungalows which appear to be straight out of a storybook. As you approach a bungalow, you will first see a gate beyond which there will be a garden and a small pathway leading to the steps of the bungalow. Very often, there will be creepers running across its pillars, the paint on its facade having faded over the years, and stained glass windows adding to its charm. As a child I would go to school by a school bus from Bandra East to Bandra West. You would often find me sitting by the window seat, staring outside and really observing my surroundings. I would wait for the bus to enter the lanes of Bandra West as I would look forward to taking in the beauty of these little bungalows. Living in an apartment myself, I found these bungalows very attractive. I would wonder about who lived inside them, what their story was, and whether their children or grandchildren went to the same school as me. One day, during the hour long school lunch break, I was invited over for lunch to one of my school friend’s homes. Imagine my utter delight when I found out that she lived in a bungalow in Bandra. The minute I entered the bungalow, I felt as if I was in a parallel world. Here, there was the luxury of space. There was a big garden, a beautiful dog wandering across its length, comforting smells of food wafting from the kitchen, and my friend’s jovial grandmother who regaled us with funny anecdotes whilst we gobbled down our food in a hurry lest we were late to get back to school. I remember this day as if it were just yesterday. There is something special about space and time that dwells within our memories and for which I am extremely grateful. Sadly today, many of these bungalows have been demolished to make way for multi storeyed buildings. Change is a tricky thing isn’t it? mommy.snippets Art – Tushar M Shetty #bandra #mumbai #oldworld #bungalow #charm

Bandra Bungalows

Bandra is dotted with beautiful bungalows which appear to be straight out of a storybook. As you approach a bungalow, you will first see a gate beyond which there will be a garden and a small pathway leading to the steps of the bungalow. Very often, there will be creepers running across its pillars, the paint on its facade having faded over the years, and stained glass windows adding to its charm.

As a child I would go to school by a school bus from Bandra East to Bandra West. You would often find me sitting by the window seat, staring outside and really observing my surroundings. I would wait for the bus to enter the lanes of Bandra West as I would look forward to taking in the beauty of these little bungalows. Living in an apartment myself, I found these bungalows very attractive. I would wonder about who lived inside them, what their story was, and whether their children or grandchildren went to the same school as me.

One day, during the hour long school lunch break, I was invited over for lunch to one of my school friend’s homes. Imagine my utter delight when I found out that she lived in a bungalow in Bandra. The minute I entered the bungalow, I felt as if I was in a parallel world. Here, there was the luxury of space. There was a big garden, a beautiful dog wandering across its length, comforting smells of food wafting from the kitchen, and my friend’s jovial grandmother who regaled us with funny anecdotes whilst we gobbled down our food in a hurry lest we were late to get back to school. I remember this day as if it were just yesterday. There is something special about space and time that dwells within our memories and for which I am extremely grateful.

Sadly today, many of these bungalows have been demolished to make way for multi storeyed buildings. Change is a tricky thing isn’t it?

mommy.snippets

Art – Tushar M Shetty

#bandra #mumbai #oldworld #bungalow #charm

Jul 02, 2022 11:26:42 am

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St Xavier’s College, Mumbai What do I say about this college? How do I summarise my innumerable memories into a single note? What does one say about one’s alma mater? Oh where do I even start? Let me begin with its beautiful architecture which is second to none. It’s gorgeous Victorian arches, high ceilings, and magnificent gargoyles. Its long corridors and exceptionally large classrooms echoing with the giddy laughter and sometimes muffled tears of students past and present. It is within this beautiful building that I made some of the best friendships of my life and where I had the privilege of being taught by one of the best teachers in the profession. Xavier’s gave me confidence to speak my mind and to have an opinion. It taught me to be resilient and to always show integrity in whatever I do. It wasn’t just what we were learning, it was how we were learning it.The methods of teaching were far beyond their years. Participating in seminars and group discussions, always engaging our curious minds in one way or another. Then there was Malhar, the annual festival of the college which was entirely driven by an organisation of students. I had great fun organising within the admin team. The days of the festival were magical infused with enthusiasm and energy that only youth can exude. Finally, the canteen alongside the iconic woods fed our hungry stomachs whilst the academic institution satiated our minds. The masala pao, the palak dosa, that peach iced tea – it’s all coming back to me now. I am very aware that this note is a sporadic spattering of memories. And after a long time, I am running out of words…… Mommy.snippets Art – Tushar M Shetty #almamater #stxavierscollege #mumbai

Place: St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai

St Xavier’s College, Mumbai

What do I say about this college? How do I summarise my innumerable memories into a single note? What does one say about one’s alma mater? Oh where do I even start?

Let me begin with its beautiful architecture which is second to none. It’s gorgeous Victorian arches, high ceilings, and magnificent gargoyles. Its long corridors and exceptionally large classrooms echoing with the giddy laughter and sometimes muffled tears of students past and present.

It is within this beautiful building that I made some of the best friendships of my life and where I had the privilege of being taught by one of the best teachers in the profession. Xavier’s gave me confidence to speak my mind and to have an opinion. It taught me to be resilient and to always show integrity in whatever I do.

It wasn’t just what we were learning, it was how we were learning it.The methods of teaching were far beyond their years. Participating in seminars and group discussions, always engaging our curious minds in one way or another.

Then there was Malhar, the annual festival of the college which was entirely driven by an organisation of students. I had great fun organising within the admin team. The days of the festival were magical infused with enthusiasm and energy that only youth can exude.

Finally, the canteen alongside the iconic woods fed our hungry stomachs whilst the academic institution satiated our minds. The masala pao, the palak dosa, that peach iced tea – it’s all coming back to me now.

I am very aware that this note is a sporadic spattering of memories. And after a long time, I am running out of words……

Mommy.snippets

Art – Tushar M Shetty

#almamater #stxavierscollege #mumbai

Jul 01, 2022 12:44:04 pm

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Mumbai Monsoon Thwack thwack, thump thump The rubber curtains hanging off the sides of our autorickshaw flap wildly against the wind, Held loosely by cotton string. Mumbai’s torrential rain pelts harshly, Drenching our sides and feet. My friends and me huddle together closely Inching towards the middle seat as much as possible. The auto makes its way through the morning rush hour traffic When suddenly we are splashed with murky water At the mercy of a BEST bus. We scream! Half disgust, half delight. And wonder whether the bedraggled state of our school uniforms Can be explained away by another monsoon day. ©mommy.snippets Art Tushar M Shetty #Mumbai #MumbaiMonsoon #Note #Rains #Autorickshaw #BEST 

Mumbai Monsoon

Thwack thwack, thump thump
The rubber curtains hanging off the sides of our autorickshaw flap wildly against the wind,
Held loosely by cotton string.

Mumbai’s torrential rain pelts harshly,
Drenching our sides and feet.
My friends and me huddle together closely
Inching towards the middle seat as much as possible.

The auto makes its way through the morning rush hour traffic
When suddenly we are splashed with murky water
At the mercy of a BEST bus.

We scream! Half disgust, half delight.
And wonder whether the bedraggled state of our school uniforms
Can be explained away by another monsoon day.

©mommy.snippets

Art Tushar M Shetty

#Mumbai #MumbaiMonsoon #Note #Rains #Autorickshaw #BEST 

Jun 30, 2022 12:09:18 pm

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The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai The magnificent Taj stands in full glory by the shore of the Arabian Sea in Mumbai. The only time that I have visited the Taj Mahal hotel was as a child many moons ago with my parents. It was to meet some grown up or another in the lobby. I still remember being entirely enamoured by the magnificent staircase, the fountains in the lobby, the indoor plants and the soft golden light. This was the mid 90s. I remember standing there in wonder at the sheer grandeur that the hotel exuded. Bellboys pushing luggage, important looking businessmen with briefcases and Safari suits, pretty ladies perhaps there for a social event of some sort and very elegant looking staff members floating across the hotel with angelic smiles upon their faces. Despite growing up in Mumbai I never really went back to the hotel. For a middle-class family, it was considered a wasteful expense. I saw the hotel more in films and television as opposed to in reality. The night the Taj came under terrorist attack, I was in my hostel room in London, tracking the news like every other Mumbaikar. I remember that night I barely slept, thinking about the loss of innocent lives. A couple of years later I remember watching a documentary on the hotel and how it looks after its employees with such benevolence. Not a surprise it being under the management of the TATA group. It’s been almost four years since I have gone back to Mumbai. The sea is calling and so are its shores. This time round, a visit to the Taj Mahal hotel may be on the cards. mommy.snippets Art Tushar Manohar Shetty #Mumbai #TajMahalHotel #TajMahalHotelMumbai #Mumbai #NotesOnTheGo #Nostalgia #Grand #bombay

Place: The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai (18.922093596417, 72.833234898895)

Address: The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 400001

The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai

The magnificent Taj stands in full glory by the shore of the Arabian Sea in Mumbai. The only time that I have visited the Taj Mahal hotel was as a child many moons ago with my parents. It was to meet some grown up or another in the lobby. I still remember being entirely enamoured by the magnificent staircase, the fountains in the lobby, the indoor plants and the soft golden light. This was the mid 90s. I remember standing there in wonder at the sheer grandeur that the hotel exuded.

Bellboys pushing luggage, important looking businessmen with briefcases and Safari suits, pretty ladies perhaps there for a social event of some sort and very elegant looking staff members floating across the hotel with angelic smiles upon their faces.

Despite growing up in Mumbai I never really went back to the hotel. For a middle-class family, it was considered a wasteful expense. I saw the hotel more in films and television as opposed to in reality. The night the Taj came under terrorist attack, I was in my hostel room in London, tracking the news like every other Mumbaikar. I remember that night I barely slept, thinking about the loss of innocent lives. A couple of years later I remember watching a documentary on the hotel and how it looks after its employees with such benevolence. Not a surprise it being under the management of the TATA group.

It’s been almost four years since I have gone back to Mumbai. The sea is calling and so are its shores. This time round, a visit to the Taj Mahal hotel may be on the cards.

mommy.snippets

Art Tushar Manohar Shetty

#Mumbai #TajMahalHotel #TajMahalHotelMumbai #Mumbai #NotesOnTheGo #Nostalgia #Grand #bombay

Jun 29, 2022 11:10:37 am

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Irani cafés Irani cafés are part of Bombay’s old world charm. I was a student at St Xavier’s college and would walk by two cafés – Kayani and Bastani at least twice a day. An old Bawaji sitting at the counter, often with a cat beside him made for an endearing sight. Tables with red and white checked cloths, high ceiling fans, and the smell of freshly baked goodies resulted in a very comforting ambience. At the entrance there would always be a glass showcase displaying a variety of tarts, bread, sweets and biscuits. In hindsight, I did not visit these cafes often enough. However, whenever I would, I would be busy watching people, my cup of Chai and custard puff keeping me company. Young lovers, stealing glances at each other, a group of old men chatting about life in general, college students either bunking a lecture or here during break time, office goers and the unemployed. But what I liked the best about these cafes was that I always felt as if I stepped back in time as soon as I stepped into them. They held within them nostalgia and that old world charm belonging to an entirely different era, yet surviving in the heart of present day Mumbai’s bustling city life. ©mommy.snippets Art @Tushar Manohar Shetty #Nostalgia #iranicafe #Mumbai #OldWorld #bombay

Irani cafés

Irani cafés are part of Bombay’s old world charm. I was a student at St Xavier’s college and would walk by two cafés – Kayani and Bastani at least twice a day. An old Bawaji sitting at the counter, often with a cat beside him made for an endearing sight. Tables with red and white checked cloths, high ceiling fans, and the smell of freshly baked goodies resulted in a very comforting ambience. At the entrance there would always be a glass showcase displaying a variety of tarts, bread, sweets and biscuits.

In hindsight, I did not visit these cafes often enough. However, whenever I would, I would be busy watching people, my cup of Chai and custard puff keeping me company. Young lovers, stealing glances at each other, a group of old men chatting about life in general, college students either bunking a lecture or here during break time, office goers and the unemployed.

But what I liked the best about these cafes was that I always felt as if I stepped back in time as soon as I stepped into them. They held within them nostalgia and that old world charm belonging to an entirely different era, yet surviving in the heart of present day Mumbai’s bustling city life.

©mommy.snippets

Art @Tushar Manohar Shetty

#Nostalgia #iranicafe #Mumbai #OldWorld #bombay

Jun 28, 2022 1:23:25 pm

Notes On The Go updated their status.

Jun 26, 2022 11:26:47 am

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Unapologetic Why I won’t apologise for being a defensive mother. This child was a part of me, is a part of me and will always be a part of me. Bringing this child into the world was an honour and privilege. From the minute this child was born, it was as if an extension of me lives outside my body. I was entrusted with the responsibility of making decisions for this child from the day I found out about life within my womb. I am there beside this child guiding, teaching, cajoling. I always prioritise this child’s needs before my own. I work very hard to raise this child despite my own limitations. I instil in this child values like kindness and empathy. I love this child wholly and unconditionally. I am raising this child without the so called village. I feel this child’s pain when they are sad. I feel this child’s joy when they are happy. So, when you criticise this child, for no fault of theirs, I feel it too. So, I become defensive. And I will not apologise. ©mommy.snippets #herviewfromhome #unapologetic #motherhood

Unapologetic

Why I won’t apologise for being a defensive mother.

This child was a part of me, is a part of me and will always be a part of me.
Bringing this child into the world was an honour and privilege.
From the minute this child was born, it was as if an extension of me lives outside my body.
I was entrusted with the responsibility of making decisions for this child from the day I found out about life within my womb.
I am there beside this child guiding, teaching, cajoling.
I always prioritise this child’s needs before my own.
I work very hard to raise this child despite my own limitations.
I instil in this child values like kindness and empathy.
I love this child wholly and unconditionally.
I am raising this child without the so called village.
I feel this child’s pain when they are sad.
I feel this child’s joy when they are happy.

So, when you criticise this child, for no fault of theirs, I feel it too.
So, I become defensive.
And I will not apologise.

©mommy.snippets

#herviewfromhome #unapologetic #motherhood

Jun 26, 2022 8:43:31 am

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Heal I recently read a quote and it struck me really hard. Certain societal norms can result in some of us going through traumatic experiences at a very young age. These norms are so deeply embedded in society that we unfortunately come to accept them as “culture”. Dictating how one should dress, behave and even think, these norms slowly disguise themselves as cultural prescriptions . If you don’t agree with or are even remotely brave to question the logic behind a given norm, you are looked at with utter disdain by the upholders of these traumatic practices all in the name of culture . Bowing down to touch the feet of all elders (doesn’t matter if the old perv made an inappropriate pass at you, earlier.) Not being allowed to participate in the annual puja, you an innocent child (,doesn’t matter that you isolated in the bedroom with only period cramps for company, alone and confused). Being asked to wear modest clothes (doesn’t matter that you are a kind and sensible person) Being judged for every single decision you make as a mother (doesn’t matter how hard you are working) And on and on and on… In case you are wondering, the quote that I read was “Heal. So we don’t have another generation of trauma passing itself off as culture” – Carla Moore Art @aisha.alian97 #heal #trauma #culture

Heal

I recently read a quote and it struck me really hard. Certain societal norms can result in some of us going through traumatic experiences at a very young age. These norms are so deeply embedded in society that we unfortunately come to accept them as “culture”. Dictating how one should dress, behave and even think, these norms slowly disguise themselves as cultural prescriptions . If you don’t agree with or are even remotely brave to question the logic behind a given norm, you are looked at with utter disdain by the upholders of these traumatic practices all in the name of culture .

Bowing down to touch the feet of all elders (doesn’t matter if the old perv made an inappropriate pass at you, earlier.) Not being allowed to participate in the annual puja, you an innocent child (,doesn’t matter that you isolated in the bedroom with only period cramps for company, alone and confused). Being asked to wear modest clothes (doesn’t matter that you are a kind and sensible person) Being judged for every single decision you make as a mother (doesn’t matter how hard you are working)

And on and on and on…

In case you are wondering, the quote that I read was “Heal. So we don’t have another generation of trauma passing itself off as culture” – Carla Moore

Art @aisha.alian97

#heal #trauma #culture

Jun 25, 2022 7:33:41 am

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Crescendo I peel myself away from the rigours of domestic life. Piles of clothes that need to be folded, dirty dishes lying in the sink, rubbish bins that plead for my attention. I feel like I am in some sort of stupor- a parallel universe where words appear to swirl around my head. I pluck each one out, One by one at first, then mixing and matching forwards backwards, adding deleting. My mind is in a rhythm, its pace is sometimes hard to keep up with. I create to the beats of this rhythm, reaching a crescendo at which point the words completely overpower me. Then slowly I am brought back to reality. Every day, I look forward to this process, sometimes challenging and other times flowing easily. But always fulfilling. ©mommy.snippets #writing #creativeprocess

Crescendo

I peel myself away from the rigours of domestic life. Piles of clothes that need to be folded, dirty dishes lying in the sink, rubbish bins that plead for my attention. I feel like I am in some sort of stupor- a parallel universe where words appear to swirl around my head. I pluck each one out, One by one at first, then mixing and matching forwards backwards, adding deleting. My mind is in a rhythm, its pace is sometimes hard to keep up with. I create to the beats of this rhythm, reaching a crescendo at which point the words completely overpower me. Then slowly I am brought back to reality. Every day, I look forward to this process, sometimes challenging and other times flowing easily. But always fulfilling.

©mommy.snippets

#writing #creativeprocess

Jun 22, 2022 10:45:59 am

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Devi She appears to me as the reflection of Devi Her many arms depicting her many duties Her sari is colourful, made of pure cotton Practical for the hot and humid weather Her hair is adorned with a string of jasmine The only luxury she affords herself Strength and vulnerability, her two sides She carries us all Takes it all in her stride ©mommy.snippets

Devi

She appears to me as the reflection of Devi
Her many arms depicting her many duties
Her sari is colourful, made of pure cotton
Practical for the hot and humid weather

Her hair is adorned with a string of jasmine
The only luxury she affords herself
Strength and vulnerability, her two sides

She carries us all
Takes it all in her stride

©mommy.snippets

Jun 20, 2022 10:29:32 am

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Happy Father’s Day To, The one that endures sleepless nights with mum, coping with those early days of parenting The one that is as involved in mealtimes and cooking our favourite meals The one who never forgets vitamins and brushing little teeth The one who makes bath time more fun with extra bubbles and water play The one whose plans after work involve tackling bedtime shenanigans- stories and all The one who also tackles the dishwasher and laundry in equal measure The one who is as involved in growth and learning charts The one who is one of 2 main pillars of his family Happy Father’s Day To, That Dad who co-parents not babysits ©mommy.snippets #fathersday #blessed

Happy Father’s Day

To,

The one that endures sleepless nights with mum, coping with those early days of parenting

The one that is as involved in mealtimes and cooking our favourite meals

The one who never forgets vitamins and brushing little teeth

The one who makes bath time more fun with extra bubbles and water play

The one whose plans after work involve tackling bedtime shenanigans- stories and all

The one who also tackles the dishwasher and laundry in equal measure

The one who is as involved in growth and learning charts

The one who is one of 2 main pillars of his family

Happy Father’s Day

To,

That Dad who co-parents not babysits

©mommy.snippets

#fathersday #blessed

Jun 19, 2022 6:11:08 am

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Wild Poppies Crimson coloured wild poppies are growing in my garden. There is a lot of overgrowth in the garden, which has been left untended to for a while now. So this morning I expected to see more weeds and overgrown grass. Imagine my pleasant surprise then to be welcomed by a group of beautiful red poppies almost resting in the morning sunshine. Just seeing these flowers growing in the wild so to speak was very encouraging. It was reaffirming in the sense that whatever the circumstances are, or maybe, one can still bloom, still thrive and still make the most of what one is surrounded by. ©momtherhustler #thrive #poppies #wildflowers

Wild Poppies

Crimson coloured wild poppies are growing in my garden. There is a lot of overgrowth in the garden, which has been left untended to for a while now. So this morning I expected to see more weeds and overgrown grass. Imagine my pleasant surprise then to be welcomed by a group of beautiful red poppies almost resting in the morning sunshine. Just seeing these flowers growing in the wild so to speak was very encouraging. It was reaffirming in the sense that whatever the circumstances are, or maybe, one can still bloom, still thrive and still make the most of what one is surrounded by.

©momtherhustler

#thrive #poppies #wildflowers

Jun 15, 2022 12:06:03 pm

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So pleased to be part of Gypsophilia literary magazine. This piece is straight from the heart!

#howtoraiseawoman #woman

Jun 14, 2022 9:44:03 am

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“What Do You Write About?” When I decided to change my career path to answer my calling of becoming a writer, I slowly gathered the courage to let people know that I am in fact a writer. I had not got any work published at the time, it was all stored either in my notes app on my phone or on my computer. However, I knew the worth of my own writing. So, I decided to let the world know about it too. One question however always threw me. What exactly do you write about? It was a seemingly innocent question. But then it always managed to leave me short of words. Ironic, I know for a writer. At the time I would mumble something or the other. I don’t even remember what now. That’s because I was writing about anything and everything. That’s what writers do. It takes time to find your niche, to focus on what your strength is and then work on it. Today, if somebody asked me this question I would have a very different answer. I would say I write about my motherhood journey, memories of my own childhood, and the essence of everyday moments. I also have evidence to support my claim – publications in anthologies, my first poetry collection (second at publication stage) and working as a freelance writer and editor for an online magazine. These credentials give me confidence yes but I am also confident now without them. That is because I have confidence in my craft. I wish I could have given this message to my own self who was so unsure a year ago. It doesn’t matter what you write about. As long as you write. That is enough. ©momtherhustler Art @chicabeingme #mondaymotivation #writersgonnawrite

“What Do You Write About?”

When I decided to change my career path to answer my calling of becoming a writer, I slowly gathered the courage to let people know that I am in fact a writer. I had not got any work published at the time, it was all stored either in my notes app on my phone or on my computer. However, I knew the worth of my own writing. So, I decided to let the world know about it too. One question however always threw me. What exactly do you write about? It was a seemingly innocent question. But then it always managed to leave me short of words. Ironic, I know for a writer. At the time I would mumble something or the other. I don’t even remember what now. That’s because I was writing about anything and everything. That’s what writers do. It takes time to find your niche, to focus on what your strength is and then work on it.

Today, if somebody asked me this question I would have a very different answer. I would say I write about my motherhood journey, memories of my own childhood, and the essence of everyday moments. I also have evidence to support my claim – publications in anthologies, my first poetry collection (second at publication stage) and working as a freelance writer and editor for an online magazine. These credentials give me confidence yes but I am also confident now without them. That is because I have confidence in my craft. I wish I could have given this message to my own self who was so unsure a year ago. It doesn’t matter what you write about. As long as you write. That is enough.

©momtherhustler

Art @chicabeingme

#mondaymotivation #writersgonnawrite

Jun 13, 2022 2:27:27 pm

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Yellow Jacaranda Flowers Yellow jacaranda flowers remind me of my childhood neighbourhood. Not the neighbourhood of today which is flanked by multi storeyed buildings and narrow roads with traffic. This was MIG colony of the glorious 90s. Where trees embraced each other to form an awning, children rode their bicycles and played on quiet roads and where a sense of community was second nature to its residents. It wasn’t uncommon to walk on a bed of yellow jacaranda flowers, fallen delicately upon the ground, their cheerful yellow a stunning contrast to the charcoal grey tar roads. As a child, I would collect these flowers and bring them home to my grandmother who would string them together to adorn my hair. I would also use them as food during pretend play- sometimes the flowers would become dali and at other times, mango milkshake. I was quite particular about the colour. The yellow jacaranda flowers could not pass off as beetroot, no! For that I’d need pink flowers. I always had my eye on the magnificent pink hibiscus from my grandfather’s beautiful blooms but was smart enough not to try my luck in this particular case! ©momtherhustler #sunday #nostalgia #jacaranda

Yellow Jacaranda Flowers

Yellow jacaranda flowers remind me of my childhood neighbourhood. Not the neighbourhood of today which is flanked by multi storeyed buildings and narrow roads with traffic. This was MIG colony of the glorious 90s. Where trees embraced each other to form an awning, children rode their bicycles and played on quiet roads and where a sense of community was second nature to its residents.

It wasn’t uncommon to walk on a bed of yellow jacaranda flowers, fallen delicately upon the ground, their cheerful yellow a stunning contrast to the charcoal grey tar roads. As a child, I would collect these flowers and bring them home to my grandmother who would string them together to adorn my hair. I would also use them as food during pretend play- sometimes the flowers would become dali and at other times, mango milkshake. I was quite particular about the colour. The yellow jacaranda flowers could not pass off as beetroot, no! For that I’d need pink flowers. I always had my eye on the magnificent pink hibiscus from my grandfather’s beautiful blooms but was smart enough not to try my luck in this particular case!

©momtherhustler

#sunday #nostalgia #jacaranda

Jun 12, 2022 8:49:49 am

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Camera Trick Google throws up memories like ice cold water stinging my eyes On this day a year ago, two years ago Perhaps even a memory of a memory My finger rests on one particular photo where I am staring at a baby which could be either of you The same smile, the same pose, that same twinkle in your eyes Is this some sort of camera trick messing with a mother’s mind? I desperately seek clues around you but there are none For a minute I freak out but then I let myself become mesmerised by the beauty of genes Transcending time, year by year, month by month, day by day, moment by moment. ©momtherhustler #motherhood #googlememories #genes

Camera Trick

Google throws up memories like ice cold water stinging my eyes
On this day a year ago, two years ago
Perhaps even a memory of a memory
My finger rests on one particular photo where I am staring at a baby which could be either of you
The same smile, the same pose, that same twinkle in your eyes
Is this some sort of camera trick messing with a mother’s mind?
I desperately seek clues around you but there are none
For a minute I freak out but then I let myself become mesmerised by the beauty of genes
Transcending time,
year by year,
month by month,
day by day,
moment by moment.

©momtherhustler

#motherhood #googlememories #genes

Jun 11, 2022 7:48:12 am

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Comfortable Chaos Our day has just begun The two of you chase each other screaming and screeching Like little banshees on a mission I get on with the call of the everyday, the one that I am trying to ignore but cannot For it will pile up and become a huge mound staring at me in quiet disdain The whirring of the mixi, the rumbling of the washing machine, the beeping of the dishwasher “Mummy, will you play with me mummy?” “Where are the crayons?” “But he hit me first” Crying, shouting, throwing, screaming Laughing, tickling, rolling in glee Fast forward to 2 pm you are finally down for a nap, one that I rely on far too much these days Your older brother is at school The silence is deafening I thought I always wanted the space, this luxury of time to tend to myself But I have forgotten how When was it that I learnt to thrive in comfortable chaos? ©momtherhustler Art – Tatjana A #motherhood #comfortable #chaos

Comfortable Chaos

Our day has just begun
The two of you chase each other screaming and screeching
Like little banshees on a mission
I get on with the call of the everyday, the one that I am trying to ignore but cannot
For it will pile up and become a huge mound staring at me in quiet disdain
The whirring of the mixi, the rumbling of the washing machine, the beeping of the dishwasher
“Mummy, will you play with me mummy?”
“Where are the crayons?”
“But he hit me first”
Crying, shouting, throwing, screaming
Laughing, tickling, rolling in glee

Fast forward to 2 pm you are finally down for a nap, one that I rely on far too much these days
Your older brother is at school
The silence is deafening
I thought I always wanted the space, this luxury of time to tend to myself
But I have forgotten how

When was it that I learnt to thrive in comfortable chaos?

©momtherhustler

Art – Tatjana A

#motherhood #comfortable #chaos

Jun 10, 2022 10:32:57 am

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As moms, we want the best for our kids- from Saving them the best piece of cake to ensuring nothing breaks their routine. However, upsetting other kids in the process of achieving this is something I cannot understand. Often this behaviour is defended by saying oh my protective instinct kicked in. It’s so convenient to use this primal argument. Yes we have instincts but what we also have is cognition and the ability to empathise. Being kind is not rocket science. I wish more people recognised this. #bekind #motherhood ©momtherhustler Art : Natalîa R

As moms, we want the best for our kids- from Saving them the best piece of cake to ensuring nothing breaks their routine. However, upsetting other kids in the process of achieving this is something I cannot understand.

Often this behaviour is defended by saying oh my protective instinct kicked in. It’s so convenient to use this primal argument. Yes we have instincts but what we also have is cognition and the ability to empathise.

Being kind is not rocket science. I wish more people recognised this.

#bekind #motherhood

©momtherhustler

Art : Natalîa R

Jun 09, 2022 7:01:06 am

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Counting tiles 22 tiles 22 tiles in our kitchen The coincidence unnerves me 22nd was your due date Would you have eaten better if you were a full-term baby? I am trying to entice you with colourful pasta. You seem least interested in the whole affair. We spend hours in the kitchen, you at the table, me standing beside you, always hopeful I continue counting tiles, 22 again I sometimes get distracted by photographs of other children of family and friends eating well, eating more than you, some younger, some older. I question myself- am I doing enough? Am I doing something wrong?Am I failing as your mother to fulfil your basic need? Back to counting tiles, still 22 You finally decide to reject the pasta and ask for chapati You then half-heartedly go on to finish one chapati. I have learnt to accept this as a small win. 22 tiles. I seek comfort in this predictability. ©momtherhustler Art @[100050424582777:2048:Carlo Stanga] #motherhood #fussytoddler

Counting tiles

22 tiles
22 tiles in our kitchen
The coincidence unnerves me
22nd was your due date
Would you have eaten better if you were a full-term baby?
I am trying to entice you with colourful pasta.
You seem least interested in the whole affair.
We spend hours in the kitchen, you at the table, me standing beside you, always hopeful

I continue counting tiles, 22 again
I sometimes get distracted by photographs of other children of family and friends eating well, eating more than you, some younger, some older.
I question myself- am I doing enough? Am I doing something wrong?Am I failing as your mother to fulfil your basic need?

Back to counting tiles, still 22
You finally decide to reject the pasta and ask for chapati
You then half-heartedly go on to finish one chapati. I have learnt to accept this as a small win.

22 tiles. I seek comfort in this predictability.

©momtherhustler

Art Carlo Stanga

#motherhood #fussytoddler

Jun 08, 2022 12:07:35 pm

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#notesfromparis #3 #finale 40. An intimidating number. Or is it really? Popular culture has created a bagful of expectations – more wisdom, responsibility, success. However today as you enter this new decade of life I wish you the magic of every day moments. And like Disney reminds us , there is magic within all of us, we just need to find it. So dear Rohit on your 40th birthday I wish you can find your magic 💖 #milestonebirthday #disneylandparis

#notesfromparis #3 #finale

40. An intimidating number. Or is it really? Popular culture has created a bagful of expectations – more wisdom, responsibility, success. However today as you enter this new decade of life I wish you the magic of every day moments. And like Disney reminds us , there is magic within all of us, we just need to find it. So dear Rohit on your 40th birthday I wish you can find your magic 💖

#milestonebirthday #disneylandparis

Jun 05, 2022 10:22:18 pm

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Parade It had been a long day at Disneyland or what felt like a long day at 2:30 in the afternoon. The Sun was beating down and all of us were tired after queuing up for various rides in the heat. The crowds added to the chaos. I became acutely aware of the limitations that my body placed on me as the day progressed. Just as we were making our way back to the hotel we noticed a sudden buzz of excitement in the air. We then saw a vibrant parade with some of Disney’s favourite characters- Mickey & friends, Aladdin, Chimpmunks and Peter Pan to name a few. For those few minutes I was overcome with emotion – memories from childhood, dreams about visiting Disneyland with my children and now standing here with them. Life has a funny way of making sense. Much like a jigsaw puzzle, piece by piece. #notesfromparis #disneylandparis

Parade

It had been a long day at Disneyland or what felt like a long day at 2:30 in the afternoon. The Sun was beating down and all of us were tired after queuing up for various rides in the heat. The crowds added to the chaos. I became acutely aware of the limitations that my body placed on me as the day progressed. Just as we were making our way back to the hotel we noticed a sudden buzz of excitement in the air. We then saw a vibrant parade with some of Disney’s favourite characters- Mickey & friends, Aladdin, Chimpmunks and Peter Pan to name a few. For those few minutes I was overcome with emotion – memories from childhood, dreams about visiting Disneyland with my children and now standing here with them. Life has a funny way of making sense. Much like a jigsaw puzzle, piece by piece.

#notesfromparis #disneylandparis

Jun 04, 2022 7:15:14 pm

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Paris There is something magical about the lure of a city. The sights, the smells, the sounds. But Paris? Paris is about feeling. Feeling happy, feeling enamoured, feeling empowered. Its quaint little cafés, a walk along the river Seine, the many trees lining its boulevards. Wherever you look, there is inspiration for artistic expression. Even a golden brown coffee flavoured macaron appears enchanting through the glass display at a bistro. And oh! Don’t get me started on the pretty florist shops dotting the roads and bringing cheer to even the most chaotic moments that are inevitable in any city. Calling Paris the city of love isn’t an exaggeration. It’s more than romantic love. Paris makes you fall in love with yourself. The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Mont Marte, Moulin Rouge. Try and visit these places on your own. I’d love to know how you felt! #paris #notesfromparis #cityoflove

Paris

There is something magical about the lure of a city. The sights, the smells, the sounds. But Paris? Paris is about feeling. Feeling happy, feeling enamoured, feeling empowered. Its quaint little cafés, a walk along the river Seine, the many trees lining its boulevards. Wherever you look, there is inspiration for artistic expression.

Even a golden brown coffee flavoured macaron appears enchanting through the glass display at a bistro. And oh! Don’t get me started on the pretty florist shops dotting the roads and bringing cheer to even the most chaotic moments that are inevitable in any city.

Calling Paris the city of love isn’t an exaggeration. It’s more than romantic love. Paris makes you fall in love with yourself. The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Mont Marte, Moulin Rouge. Try and visit these places on your own. I’d love to know how you felt!

#paris #notesfromparis #cityoflove

Jun 03, 2022 7:08:41 pm

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#RIPKK 💔

#RIPKK 💔

Jun 01, 2022 7:03:04 am

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Dear Parkinson’s I can’t believe I am writing you a thank you note but lets just say that you’ve made life interesting, shall we? Thank you Parkinson’s for you made me fearless. I used to be conscious, self-conscious to be precise, of the way I looked, the way I spoke, the way I sang, the way I danced. But now I don’t care. And it’s all thanks to you. You made me realise the absolute ability and beauty of my body and taught me that it can change overnight. You helped me understand the importance of the self, a notion that we are often taught to deprioritise thanks to the warped socialisation process. So thank you. It is only because of you that I have renewed self-confidence, something that people would not have associated with me say 10 years ago.You’ve taught me how to live in the moment, to appreciate the ordinary things for they are in fact the extraordinary things when you look back in retrospect . I learnt this the hard way of course but then isn’t that what you taught me too ? To be grateful? Also before I forget, Parkinson’s, you’ve taught me patience, loads of patience. Eating a damn meal with cutlery has become cumbersome these days but when I am able to do that with oodles of patience I am ecstatic. So thank you for this virtue that I thought I would never have mastered in this life at least. Finally you taught me the value of time and how we need to make the most of it. So here’s me trying to live every moment to its fullest because I just cannot trust tomorrow. Your Young Warrior #parkinsonsawareness #thankyou

Dear Parkinson’s

I can’t believe I am writing you a thank you note but lets just say that you’ve made life interesting, shall we?

Thank you Parkinson’s for you made me fearless. I used to be conscious, self-conscious to be precise, of the way I looked, the way I spoke, the way I sang, the way I danced. But now I don’t care. And it’s all thanks to you. You made me realise the absolute ability and beauty of my body and taught me that it can change overnight. You helped me understand the importance of the self, a notion that we are often taught to deprioritise thanks to the warped socialisation process. So thank you.

It is only because of you that I have renewed self-confidence, something that people would not have associated with me say 10 years ago.You’ve taught me how to live in the moment, to appreciate the ordinary things for they are in fact the extraordinary things when you look back in retrospect . I learnt this the hard way of course but then isn’t that what you taught me too ? To be grateful?

Also before I forget, Parkinson’s, you’ve taught me patience, loads of patience. Eating a damn meal with cutlery has become cumbersome these days but when I am able to do that with oodles of patience I am ecstatic. So thank you for this virtue that I thought I would never have mastered in this life at least. Finally you taught me the value of time and how we need to make the most of it. So here’s me trying to live every moment to its fullest because I just cannot trust tomorrow.

Your Young Warrior

#parkinsonsawareness #thankyou

May 30, 2022 7:09:12 am

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Chitrahaar I have very vague memories of the Chitrahaar television program that would play on Door Darshan and if I remember correctly it was twice a week around 8pm. I must have been around 4 years of age at the time. This was before cable TV entered our lives. It was also a time when we did not have easy access to music like we do today where we are able to play our favourite numbers at the tips of our fingers or even by instructing a device to do so. My family really looked forward to this music hour for it created a lovely atmosphere in our home. For that one hour, I remember seeing the happy faces of my parents, grandparents, great grandmother and granduncle sitting around in the living room – A few of them humming, a couple of them smiling and even tapping their fingers against the chair in tune with the rhythm . I particularly remember the song Shola Jo Bhadke which was my grandfather’s favourite song. He was a man of very few words, a rather quiet sort. However whenever this song started playing he immediately took on a new avatar. He would sing along, tap his feet to the rhythm of the music and gently move to the beat. As a child of four I found this rather amusing but it was highly welcoming. Today I happened to remember him and his favourite song, so I actually recorded myself singing it. This one’s for you Ajju! Wherever you are I am sure you are singing along with me ❤️ #Dilse #amateursinger

Chitrahaar

I have very vague memories of the Chitrahaar television program that would play on Door Darshan and if I remember correctly it was twice a week around 8pm. I must have been around 4 years of age at the time. This was before cable TV entered our lives. It was also a time when we did not have easy access to music like we do today where we are able to play our favourite numbers at the tips of our fingers or even by instructing a device to do so.

My family really looked forward to this music hour for it created a lovely atmosphere in our home. For that one hour, I remember seeing the happy faces of my parents, grandparents, great grandmother and granduncle sitting around in the living room – A few of them humming, a couple of them smiling and even tapping their fingers against the chair in tune with the rhythm . I particularly remember the song Shola Jo Bhadke which was my grandfather’s favourite song. He was a man of very few words, a rather quiet sort. However whenever this song started playing he immediately took on a new avatar. He would sing along, tap his feet to the rhythm of the music and gently move to the beat. As a child of four I found this rather amusing but it was highly welcoming.

Today I happened to remember him and his favourite song, so I actually recorded myself singing it. This one’s for you Ajju! Wherever you are I am sure you are singing along with me ❤️

#Dilse #amateursinger

May 29, 2022 5:40:45 pm

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Chitrahaar I have very vague memories of the Chitrahaar television program that would play on Door Darshan and if I remember correctly it was twice a week around 8pm. I must have been around 4 years of age at the time. This was before cable TV entered our lives. It was also a time when we did not have easy access to music like we do today where we are able to play our favourite numbers at the tips of our fingers or even by instructing a device to do so. My family really looked forward to this music hour for it created a lovely atmosphere in our home. For that one hour, I remember seeing the happy faces of my parents, grandparents, great grandmother and granduncle sitting around in the living room – A few of them humming, a couple of them smiling and even tapping their fingers against the chair in tune with the rhythm . I particularly remember the song Shola Jo Bhadke which was my grandfather’s favourite song. He was a man of very few words, a rather quiet sort. However whenever this song started playing he immediately took on a new avatar. He would sing along, tap his feet to the rhythm of the music and gently move to the beat. As a child of four I found this rather amusing but it was highly welcoming. Today I happened to remember him and his favourite song, so I actually recorded myself singing it. This one’s for you Ajju! Wherever you are I am sure you are singing along with me ❤️ #basyunhi #dilse #amateursinger

Chitrahaar

I have very vague memories of the Chitrahaar television program that would play on Door Darshan and if I remember correctly it was twice a week around 8pm. I must have been around 4 years of age at the time. This was before cable TV entered our lives. It was also a time when we did not have easy access to music like we do today where we are able to play our favourite numbers at the tips of our fingers or even by instructing a device to do so.

My family really looked forward to this music hour for it created a lovely atmosphere in our home. For that one hour, I remember seeing the happy faces of my parents, grandparents, great grandmother and granduncle sitting around in the living room – A few of them humming, a couple of them smiling and even tapping their fingers against the chair in tune with the rhythm . I particularly remember the song Shola Jo Bhadke which was my grandfather’s favourite song. He was a man of very few words, a rather quiet sort. However whenever this song started playing he immediately took on a new avatar. He would sing along, tap his feet to the rhythm of the music and gently move to the beat. As a child of four I found this rather amusing but it was highly welcoming.

Today I happened to remember him and his favourite song, so I actually recorded myself singing it. This one’s for you Ajju! Wherever you are I am sure you are singing along with me ❤️

#basyunhi #dilse #amateursinger

May 29, 2022 5:38:06 pm

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“Pray” Pray, they say when you share with them the intricacies of your daily struggles, when you give them a glimpse into the unglamorous side of your life. Pray, they say when all you want is a kind listening ear, not a solution. For you know that the solution lies in a cure that is yet to be discovered. And. What they don’t know is this. When you become burdened with the weight of a condition so complex for no fault of your own, belief systems are shaken, shaken quite badly. You begin to experience bouts of existential dilemmas. You begin to question everyone and everything. Speaking openly about a condition like PD, especially YOPD, makes many people uncomfortable and they quickly change or end the conversation by saying pray, pray…all will be well. And you are left wondering – 1. I wish it was that simple 2.If you are uncomfortable even discussing PD, can you for once imagine living with it? #parkinsonsawareness #yopd

“Pray”

Pray, they say when you share with them the intricacies of your daily struggles, when you give them a glimpse into the unglamorous side of your life. Pray, they say when all you want is a kind listening ear, not a solution. For you know that the solution lies in a cure that is yet to be discovered.
And.
What they don’t know is this. When you become burdened with the weight of a condition so complex for no fault of your own, belief systems are shaken, shaken quite badly. You begin to experience bouts of existential dilemmas. You begin to question everyone and everything.

Speaking openly about a condition like PD, especially YOPD, makes many people uncomfortable and they quickly change or end the conversation by saying pray, pray…all will be well.

And you are left wondering –
1. I wish it was that simple
2.If you are uncomfortable even discussing PD, can you for once imagine living with it?

#parkinsonsawareness #yopd

May 28, 2022 7:57:24 am

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🌳 A Walk In The Woods 🌳 This morning we went for a walk in the woods. Just you and me after what seemed like ages. You were enamoured by the way in which the trees embraced each other , by how the wildflowers smiled happily as we sauntered across , by how the sun shone through the foliage as if it were a spotlight. We spoke about the Gruffalo and his friends. We also spoke about the Tales of Acornwood . Your voice attained a slight quiver as you were overcome with pure excitement. You began hunting for bugs and delighted in their appearance. A squirrel devouring a nut made you squeal in amusement. We walked some more and suddenly you paused and ran the other way. Confused, I ran too, calling after you to stop . You eventually stopped where the wildflowers grew and reached out to me with a handful of blossoms. “These are for you, mummy” And just like that you my darling made my day. #walkinthewoods #midweekmotivation #stopandsmelltheflowers

🌳 A Walk In The Woods 🌳

This morning we went for a walk in the woods.
Just you and me after what seemed like ages.
You were enamoured by the way in which the trees embraced each other , by how the wildflowers smiled happily as we sauntered across , by how the sun shone through the foliage as if it were a spotlight.

We spoke about the Gruffalo and his friends.
We also spoke about the Tales of Acornwood .
Your voice attained a slight quiver as you were overcome with pure excitement.
You began hunting for bugs and delighted in their appearance.
A squirrel devouring a nut made you squeal in amusement.

We walked some more and suddenly you paused and ran the other way.
Confused, I ran too, calling after you to stop .
You eventually stopped where the wildflowers grew and reached out to me with a handful of blossoms.
“These are for you, mummy”
And just like that you my darling made my day.

#walkinthewoods #midweekmotivation #stopandsmelltheflowers

May 25, 2022 10:12:15 am

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🌻🌻 Bloom 🌻🌻 Being part of several virtual groups has become the norm these days. Some you expect to be random and full of forwards and lame jokes. There are others however which you believe include people who have or had been significant in your life at one point or another. I have always harped on about the power of the collective. For it is unity in times of distress that helps you pull through. But what happens when you do not get the support that you expected from these groups when you are already overwhelmed with the everyday realities of an incurable condition? You leave. And that’s ok. Because you learn the hard way that life is short and there is no time for merely existing. That you were never meant to be a wallflower anyway. You were always destined to be a sunflower – willing to stand tall and bloom, always facing the sun. ©momtherhustler

🌻🌻 Bloom 🌻🌻

Being part of several virtual groups has become the norm these days. Some you expect to be random and full of forwards and lame jokes. There are others however which you believe include people who have or had been significant in your life at one point or another. I have always harped on about the power of the collective. For it is unity in times of distress that helps you pull through.

But what happens when you do not get the support that you expected from these groups when you are already overwhelmed with the everyday realities of an incurable condition?

You leave. And that’s ok. Because you learn the hard way that life is short and there is no time for merely existing. That you were never meant to be a wallflower anyway. You were always destined to be a sunflower – willing to stand tall and bloom, always facing the sun.

©momtherhustler

May 24, 2022 6:49:23 am

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15 ways to stay alive ☀️Dive headfirst into the sea and emerge after a few seconds ☀️Run 500 m at a stretch, hear your heart beating wildly ☀️Watch the sunrise, then the sunset in solitude ☀️Watch a child eating with their hands for the first time ☀️Smell the fragrance of petrichor as the long awaited rain falls upon the parched earth ☀️Dance like no one’s watching. Dance again. ☀️Walk barefoot upon the grass ☀️Listen to a child’s uninhibited laughter ☀️Go strawberry picking, eat them fresh from the farm ☀️Eat a mango whole with your bare hands, its juices running down your arm ☀️Cook your favourite food from scratch and eat it directly from the pan ☀️Wash your face with cold water ☀️Look up at the night sky and spot the full moon in all its resplendent glory ☀️Listen to your favourite song and sing along to its lyrics. At the top of your voice. ☀️Look at yourself in the mirror and be in utter awe about the miracle that is your life #FeelAlive #mondaymotivation

15 ways to stay alive

☀️Dive headfirst into the sea and emerge after a few seconds

☀️Run 500 m at a stretch, hear your heart beating wildly

☀️Watch the sunrise, then the sunset in solitude

☀️Watch a child eating with their hands for the first time

☀️Smell the fragrance of petrichor as the long awaited rain falls upon the parched earth

☀️Dance like no one’s watching. Dance again.

☀️Walk barefoot upon the grass

☀️Listen to a child’s uninhibited laughter

☀️Go strawberry picking, eat them fresh from the farm

☀️Eat a mango whole with your bare hands, its juices running down your arm

☀️Cook your favourite food from scratch and eat it directly from the pan

☀️Wash your face with cold water

☀️Look up at the night sky and spot the full moon in all its resplendent glory

☀️Listen to your favourite song and sing along to its lyrics. At the top of your voice.

☀️Look at yourself in the mirror and be in utter awe about the miracle that is your life

#FeelAlive #mondaymotivation

May 23, 2022 1:57:02 pm

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In case you are wondering 🥰

In case you are wondering 🥰

May 22, 2022 7:47:46 am

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#snackseries #5 #seriesfinale

Pumpkin Seeds

My Papama (grandma), after making a scrumptious lal bhopla or pumpkin sabzi would dry out the pumpkin seeds and painstakingly roast these for my Ajju (grandpa). She would do this with great sincerity and he would appreciate this with equal affinity so much so that for me, it epitomised the basis of their rock solid marriage.

My grandparents moved to Bombay in the late 1940s from a small village in Karnataka as a young couple with dreams of a better life. “I would dry this (the pumpkin seeds) on the the katta outside our house in the village”my grandmother would say affectionately remembering the older days. This ritual of the pumpkin seeds seemed to be a sort of connection to their old life, something that they carried with them to their life to be in a new place. In Bombay she started drying these pumpkin seeds on a stainless steel plate and leaving it by the windowsill where the afternoon sun streamed in.

Once roasted, the two of them would sit together on the single bed by the windowsill, shell the seeds and share these as a late afternoon snack. Sometimes they would chat about every day things and at other times there would be a warm companionable silence as life in Bombay raced past in the background.

The aroma of the roasted pumpkin seeds was subtle, an apt reflection of the love they shared. There were never overt displays of affection, no. It had to be sought out in these little things by means of which their love for each other shone through.

(The photo is from 2008, incidentally Ajju’s last birthday we celebrated before he left us in July the same year) Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye

May 21, 2022 6:51:08 am

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Connection When someone you love is going through a chronic condition or is battling a chronic disease it is hard to know what to say. I get it. Words can be quite confusing in that manner. What to say, what not to say, how to say it. But sometimes more than actually saying something, all we need to do is make our presence felt, like saying hello, checking in, or even forwarding a joke or such to make your loved one aware that you have been thinking about them. The power of connection is often undermined and underrated. It is connection that pulls us through difficult situations, it is connection that helps us overcome. Your loved one may be battling a million battles and your presence will provide them with another weapon in their artillery. ©momtherhustler #parkinsonsdisease #chronicillness

Connection

When someone you love is going through a chronic condition or is battling a chronic disease it is hard to know what to say. I get it. Words can be quite confusing in that manner. What to say, what not to say, how to say it. But sometimes more than actually saying something, all we need to do is make our presence felt, like saying hello, checking in, or even forwarding a joke or such to make your loved one aware that you have been thinking about them. The power of connection is often undermined and underrated. It is connection that pulls us through difficult situations, it is connection that helps us overcome. Your loved one may be battling a million battles and your presence will provide them with another weapon in their artillery.

©momtherhustler

#parkinsonsdisease #chronicillness

May 19, 2022 9:15:13 am

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Superheroes As children, your parents can do no wrong. They are superheroes who can rescue you from any situation, your fixers of all problems from a broken crayon to a broken heart. As you grow older, you begin to view your parents as real people with both strengths and weaknesses. Then one day you are an adult with children of your own who begin to view you as their superhero. To be given this title is a privilege and it comes with immense responsibility. So there you are, playing the role of superhero and at the same time realising that your parents are after all only human. To recognise this is to say goodbye to the innocence and magic of childhood. So here i am pretending to be a superhero until the magic lasts. ©momtherhustler

Superheroes

As children, your parents can do no wrong. They are superheroes who can rescue you from any situation, your fixers of all problems from a broken crayon to a broken heart. As you grow older, you begin to view your parents as real people with both strengths and weaknesses. Then one day you are an adult with children of your own who begin to view you as their superhero. To be given this title is a privilege and it comes with immense responsibility. So there you are, playing the role of superhero and at the same time realising that your parents are after all only human. To recognise this is to say goodbye to the innocence and magic of childhood. So here i am pretending to be a superhero until the magic lasts.

©momtherhustler

May 17, 2022 2:57:20 pm

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#snackseries #4 Maska Pao Maska pao or butter and bun takes me back to the warm cocoon of childhood. The Paowalla used to home deliver freshly baked pao twice a day – in the morning and around 5 pm. The paos were soft to touch and their smell was enticing. Pao was a regular part of our breakfast in Mumbai. Apart from being just a breakfast food, we also sought out maska pao as a quick fix snack throughout the day. The Paowalla would arrive by his bicycle which held pretty securely a big basket full of delicious pao. He would then go door to door and handover the pao to his customers. As a child, seeing a pile of pao laadis* was fascinating. I’m not sure if it was the symmetry or the beautiful golden colour. It always filled me with a sense of wonder. When I talk about pao, I have to talk about my father. His love for this humble combination is unparalleled. Kadak pao lathered generously with butter is undoubtedly Pappa’s favourite breakfast. He will only make an exception for soft pao if he’s suffering from a toothache. As a child I would be enamoured by how he would cut the pao into slices and then apply butter to each one with great precision. Today, getting my hands on that pao is almost impossible in the UK. After all, memories can’t be bought, can they? *three or four rows of pao merged together, arranged in slabs or “ladi” (Pic credit @[100063958604121:2048:Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye])

#snackseries #4

Maska Pao

Maska pao or butter and bun takes me back to the warm cocoon of childhood. The Paowalla used to home deliver freshly baked pao twice a day – in the morning and around 5 pm. The paos were soft to touch and their smell was enticing. Pao was a regular part of our breakfast in Mumbai. Apart from being just a breakfast food, we also sought out maska pao as a quick fix snack throughout the day. The Paowalla would arrive by his bicycle which held pretty securely a big basket full of delicious pao. He would then go door to door and handover the pao to his customers. As a child, seeing a pile of pao laadis* was fascinating. I’m not sure if it was the symmetry or the beautiful golden colour. It always filled me with a sense of wonder.

When I talk about pao, I have to talk about my father. His love for this humble combination is unparalleled. Kadak pao lathered generously with butter is undoubtedly Pappa’s favourite breakfast. He will only make an exception for soft pao if he’s suffering from a toothache. As a child I would be enamoured by how he would cut the pao into slices and then apply butter to each one with great precision.

Today, getting my hands on that pao is almost impossible in the UK. After all, memories can’t be bought, can they?

*three or four rows of pao merged together, arranged in slabs or “ladi”

(Pic credit Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye)

May 15, 2022 5:59:46 pm

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#snackseries #3 Jaggery & Peanuts (For Ajju, with love) Peanuts and jaggery remind me of my grandparents. Papama would always give Ajju a small vaati (bowl) of peanuts along with a bite-sized portion of jaggery. The golden hue of that piece of jaggery alongside the peanuts made for a humble yet tasty snack. I remember always asking my grandmother to also hand me a bowl of the same snack and I would sit beside my grandfather and chomp away. He was a man of few words, so this time was spent mostly in companionable silence. Me sitting beside him on the sofa, both of us eating our snack. I wasn’t allowed seconds in case I stuffed myself so much that I didn’t end up eating my main meal. However, eating this particular snack along with my grandfather was an exception. He would without fail take a part of his snack and transfer it into my bowl, without my grandmother noticing. It was our little secret. Memories of this snack are laced with a very vivid memory of him often looking outside the window, upwards towards the sky. The same sky where he perhaps now dwells. I miss him dearly now and the words “leave the arms of the sky and come back to me” slowly leave my lips. It’s time for our snack, Ajju. I’m waiting ❤️ (Thank you @[100066609206970:2048:Streetwriters] for the prompt “leave the arms of the sky and come back to me”)

#snackseries #3

Jaggery & Peanuts (For Ajju, with love)

Peanuts and jaggery remind me of my grandparents. Papama would always give Ajju a small vaati (bowl) of peanuts along with a bite-sized portion of jaggery. The golden hue of that piece of jaggery alongside the peanuts made for a humble yet tasty snack.

I remember always asking my grandmother to also hand me a bowl of the same snack and I would sit beside my grandfather and chomp away. He was a man of few words, so this time was spent mostly in companionable silence. Me sitting beside him on the sofa, both of us eating our snack. I wasn’t allowed seconds in case I stuffed myself so much that I didn’t end up eating my main meal. However, eating this particular snack along with my grandfather was an exception. He would without fail take a part of his snack and transfer it into my bowl, without my grandmother noticing. It was our little secret. Memories of this snack are laced with a very vivid memory of him often looking outside the window, upwards towards the sky. The same sky where he perhaps now dwells. I miss him dearly now and the words “leave the arms of the sky and come back to me” slowly leave my lips. It’s time for our snack, Ajju. I’m waiting ❤️

(Thank you Streetwriters for the prompt “leave the arms of the sky and come back to me”)

May 12, 2022 11:28:49 am

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#snackseries #2 Maggi, Maggi, Maggiiii Maggi eaten at midnight reminds me of studying for stressful exams. It also reminds me of sleepovers at my cousin’s house, sleepovers with my friends as well as solitude with my favourite novel. Eating a sizzling hot bowl of two minute Maggi noodles is like a warm hug. Maggi at any time of day is the welcome form of snack but the Maggi that is had at midnight holds within it a treasure trove of fond memories. More recently Maggi brings back memories of the lockdown during the winter of 2020. We had just moved homes with 2 very young children (3y, 11m at the time) and our house as you can imagine was in complete chaos. Maggi was the first thing I cooked here and it continued to be our “go to” meal in those first few weeks that we settled in. I experimented a lot with toppings and add ons – roasted peanuts, sweetcorn, egg, cheese to name a few. I still remember how after a long exhausting day which also involved the inevitable unpacking, our bodies would seek out comforting nourishment. So as soon as the children were asleep we would make Maggi and eat in relative peace. Those bowls will always remain special as they saw us through some dark days. Pun entirely intended! That reminds me! Are we sure about the 2 minutes claim to fame? I always end up taking more than 2 minutes to cook a packet of Maggi. Am I missing something here?

#snackseries #2

Maggi, Maggi, Maggiiii

Maggi eaten at midnight reminds me of studying for stressful exams. It also reminds me of sleepovers at my cousin’s house, sleepovers with my friends as well as solitude with my favourite novel. Eating a sizzling hot bowl of two minute Maggi noodles is like a warm hug. Maggi at any time of day is the welcome form of snack but the Maggi that is had at midnight holds within it a treasure trove of fond memories.

More recently Maggi brings back memories of the lockdown during the winter of 2020. We had just moved homes with 2 very young children (3y, 11m at the time) and our house as you can imagine was in complete chaos. Maggi was the first thing I cooked here and it continued to be our “go to” meal in those first few weeks that we settled in. I experimented a lot with toppings and add ons – roasted peanuts, sweetcorn, egg, cheese to name a few. I still remember how after a long exhausting day which also involved the inevitable unpacking, our bodies would seek out comforting nourishment. So as soon as the children were asleep we would make Maggi and eat in relative peace. Those bowls will always remain special as they saw us through some dark days. Pun entirely intended!

That reminds me! Are we sure about the 2 minutes claim to fame? I always end up taking more than 2 minutes to cook a packet of Maggi. Am I missing something here?

May 11, 2022 7:12:22 am

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#snackseries #1  Tannék Growing up in a Konkani household instilled in me a deep sense of respect for snacks because as a community we have a special time (late afternoon , ideally following a siesta) dedicated to snacking- we call it Tannek which roughly translates to ‘quenching (one’s) thirst’ but involves a lot more than just a hot or cold drink. Personally speaking, scrumptious tannek could become a meal in itself. Images of hot poha, vadas, upmas of various types immediately come to mind. Almost all of these tannek ‘items’ as we like to call them are accompanied by a crispy snack. This would most likely be something like sev, potato crisps, sali, chivda. And oh how could I forget the sweets? There will always be some home-made sweet or the other to finish off the tannek. Coconut barfi, besan laddoo, banana halwa and even a light kheer at times. So you see, tannek is in fact very similar to a meal with a starter main course and dessert . To keep things interesting breakfast is also called tannek but more on that later!

#snackseries #1

Tannék

Growing up in a Konkani household instilled in me a deep sense of respect for snacks because as a community we have a special time (late afternoon , ideally following a siesta) dedicated to snacking- we call it Tannek which roughly translates to ‘quenching (one’s) thirst’ but involves a lot more than just a hot or cold drink. Personally speaking, scrumptious tannek could become a meal in itself. Images of hot poha, vadas, upmas of various types immediately come to mind. Almost all of these tannek ‘items’ as we like to call them are accompanied by a crispy snack. This would most likely be something like sev, potato crisps, sali, chivda. And oh how could I forget the sweets? There will always be some home-made sweet or the other to finish off the tannek. Coconut barfi, besan laddoo, banana halwa and even a light kheer at times. So you see, tannek is in fact very similar to a meal with a starter main course and dessert . To keep things interesting breakfast is also called tannek but more on that later!

May 09, 2022 12:27:06 pm

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To Mamu ❤️ Berlin was on the cards for a while and We finally made it there after a couple of flight cancellations over the last couple of years. It was such a joy to see Family after what felt like ages. The boys rushed to Baby M to give her loads of cuddles. Once they got acquainted with each other it was pure bliss to see them together. My brother and I sat next to each other with our children in front of us . The moment was surreal. It is hard for me to explain in words how I felt at the time. Who would have thought the same kid that I grew up with is now a father himself. I wonder then how my parents felt to see their youngest as a father. To see my younger brother take on this role of father, to be privy to his parenting style, makes me very proud. My boys respect him and love him in equal measure. Little R especially vies for his attention, perhaps he misses the time when he was the only child around, without having baby R and M to contend with. The couple of hours after the kids slept were extremely precious. We caught up for drinks and dinner and our hearts were fuller than our tummies. Of this I’m sure.

To Mamu ❤️

Berlin was on the cards for a while and We finally made it there after a couple of flight cancellations over the last couple of years. It was such a joy to see Family after what felt like ages. The boys rushed to Baby M to give her loads of cuddles. Once they got acquainted with each other it was pure bliss to see them together. My brother and I sat next to each other with our children in front of us . The moment was surreal. It is hard for me to explain in words how I felt at the time. Who would have thought the same kid that I grew up with is now a father himself. I wonder then how my parents felt to see their youngest as a father.

To see my younger brother take on this role of father, to be privy to his parenting style, makes me very proud. My boys respect him and love him in equal measure. Little R especially vies for his attention, perhaps he misses the time when he was the only child around, without having baby R and M to contend with.

The couple of hours after the kids slept were extremely precious. We caught up for drinks and dinner and our hearts were fuller than our tummies. Of this I’m sure.

May 07, 2022 7:10:50 am

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🌿 Crotons 🌿 Crotons remind me of my Amamma’s garden in Bangalore. Hues of deep red, yellow, green in a variety of shapes – some short and circular, others long and spiral and still others more prototypical of a leaf. I remember this clearly for they were planted at the very beginning of her garden; It was as if they stood in welcome to everybody who visited it. Amamma was a botanist, a very well educated lady for her time. She was possessive of her garden and rightly so for she tended to her plants with utmost care. Nothing ever came in the way of her garden duty which was usually late in the evenings when dusk approached. As children, my brother and I would be very excited to water the garden. It meant playing with the water hose pipe and this was a precious treat. For us, watering Amamma’s plants was a huge responsibility. We were given strict instructions not to over water or under water the plants as needed. Amamma rarely got angry at us. However, a sure short way of triggering her temper would be a callous attitude towards her beloved plants. Today, I have a beautiful anthurium blooming in my living room. Anthuriums remind me of her too but that’s a story for another day. Image @[100064081841538:2048:36vine]

🌿 Crotons 🌿

Crotons remind me of my Amamma’s garden in Bangalore. Hues of deep red, yellow, green in a variety of shapes – some short and circular, others long and spiral and still others more prototypical of a leaf. I remember this clearly for they were planted at the very beginning of her garden; It was as if they stood in welcome to everybody who visited it. Amamma was a botanist, a very well educated lady for her time. She was possessive of her garden and rightly so for she tended to her plants with utmost care. Nothing ever came in the way of her garden duty which was usually late in the evenings when dusk approached.

As children, my brother and I would be very excited to water the garden. It meant playing with the water hose pipe and this was a precious treat. For us, watering Amamma’s plants was a huge responsibility. We were given strict instructions not to over water or under water the plants as needed. Amamma rarely got angry at us. However, a sure short way of triggering her temper would be a callous attitude towards her beloved plants.

Today, I have a beautiful anthurium blooming in my living room. Anthuriums remind me of her too but that’s a story for another day.

Image 36vine

May 02, 2022 6:51:13 am

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Raising Kindhearted Little Boys I am trying my best to raise kindhearted little boys, hoping that one day they will turn into kind men. As the world around them tells them what they should and shouldn’t be doing, I want them to be able to make their own choices. My older son is all of four, he tells me that he doesn’t like flowers because they are girly. It saddens me to think that gender differentiation has already begun. Shooting this, that and the other has also crept into role-play games. In a world that is telling them to be big and strong, to not cry, to always pretend to be infallible, to not have long hair and on and on and on, I try. I tell them that it’s okay to choose what they like irrespective of whether it is supposedly meant for girls or boys.Skills that will help them to make a good life for themselves will perhaps be learnt at school or college. However, what the world needs today is kind men who are comfortable with their own emotions. I inculcate in them the importance of empathy for it is empathy and kindness that will take them far. Intelligence is welcome but it’s emotional intelligence that is really going to matter. So, I try.

Raising Kindhearted Little Boys

I am trying my best to raise kindhearted little boys, hoping that one day they will turn into kind men. As the world around them tells them what they should and shouldn’t be doing, I want them to be able to make their own choices. My older son is all of four, he tells me that he doesn’t like flowers because they are girly. It saddens me to think that gender differentiation has already begun. Shooting this, that and the other has also crept into role-play games. In a world that is telling them to be big and strong, to not cry, to always pretend to be infallible, to not have long hair and on and on and on, I try.

I tell them that it’s okay to choose what they like irrespective of whether it is supposedly meant for girls or boys.Skills that will help them to make a good life for themselves will perhaps be learnt at school or college. However, what the world needs today is kind men who are comfortable with their own emotions. I inculcate in them the importance of empathy for it is empathy and kindness that will take them far. Intelligence is welcome but it’s emotional intelligence that is really going to matter. So, I try.

Apr 28, 2022 3:09:13 pm

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Salty Sojourn “You loved the sea ever since you were a baby “ My mother’s voice echoes within my mind as I will myself to sleep on my annual flight back home to Mumbai or Bombay as I still like to call it. I am slowly drawn into what appears to be a very real dream. I am 5 again and running barefoot in the sand. Grains of loose sand are flying around me, making me run even faster. I am chasing the waves which have receded in sync with the tide. If you were to look at me I would appear to be chasing the horizon. I am running at full speed, the blood rushing to my cheeks, the wind playing havoc with my already unruly crown of curls. Suddenly my younger brother is racing me to the finish line, his tubby toddler feet not letting him down. We are both now squealing with delight as the rush of adrenaline takes over our tiny bodies. We only stop when our feet hit the waves. I plunge into the sea without a care in the world. The salty water enters my nose and mouth at once. My eyes are tightly shut so for about a few seconds I feel like I am in a vacuum. Then like a dolphin I emerge from the sea, coughing and laughing at the same time. “Akku, Akku!” I hear my brother’s voice before I open my eyes. I can taste the salty seawater now and lick my lips clean before splashing sea water on my brother and challenging him to another race on the beach. “Excuse me Madam, what would you like to drink?” I now hear the airhostess’s voice waking me up from my slumber. “ just a glass of water please. I say. “ And oh! Could I also have a packet of salt please?”, I request her. Leaving her entirely befuddled.

Salty Sojourn

“You loved the sea ever since you were a baby “ My mother’s voice echoes within my mind as I will myself to sleep on my annual flight back home to Mumbai or Bombay as I still like to call it. I am slowly drawn into what appears to be a very real dream. I am 5 again and running barefoot in the sand. Grains of loose sand are flying around me, making me run even faster. I am chasing the waves which have receded in sync with the tide. If you were to look at me I would appear to be chasing the horizon. I am running at full speed, the blood rushing to my cheeks, the wind playing havoc with my already unruly crown of curls.

Suddenly my younger brother is racing me to the finish line, his tubby toddler feet not letting him down. We are both now squealing with delight as the rush of adrenaline takes over our tiny bodies. We only stop when our feet hit the waves. I plunge into the sea without a care in the world. The salty water enters my nose and mouth at once. My eyes are tightly shut so for about a few seconds I feel like I am in a vacuum. Then like a dolphin I emerge from the sea, coughing and laughing at the same time. “Akku, Akku!” I hear my brother’s voice before I open my eyes. I can taste the salty seawater now and lick my lips clean before splashing sea water on my brother and challenging him to another race on the beach. “Excuse me Madam, what would you like to drink?” I now hear the airhostess’s voice waking me up from my slumber. “ just a glass of water please. I say. “ And oh! Could I also have a packet of salt please?”, I request her. Leaving her entirely befuddled.

Apr 25, 2022 6:50:47 am

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“Oh really? You don’t know?!” Have you been in a social situation where you are told in response to an experience you shared that in fact what you shared was nothing compared to some one else’s experience? Or remember when you honestly admitted that you weren’t aware about something and were asked oh really? You don’t know? It’s the best, biggest, most famous etc ? Sounds familiar? This need to prove that one has better experience and knowledge than another. Why can’t we simply share experience and knowledge? Can you see what’s happening here? We are missing out on opportunities to effectively share knowledge and experience because instead of learning something new we are now discussing who knows better and end up belittling the other person or even worse, alienating ourselves. There is no shame in not knowing . So next time try saying for example, “xyz is brilliant, you must find out more” and explain why rather than saying “oh don’t you know?!” It will make a difference, I am sure of it.

“Oh really? You don’t know?!”

Have you been in a social situation where you are told in response to an experience you shared that in fact what you shared was nothing compared to some one else’s experience? Or remember when you honestly admitted that you weren’t aware about something and were asked oh really? You don’t know? It’s the best, biggest, most famous etc ?

Sounds familiar? This need to prove that one has better experience and knowledge than another. Why can’t we simply share experience and knowledge? Can you see what’s happening here? We are missing out on opportunities to effectively share knowledge and experience because instead of learning something new we are now discussing who knows better and end up belittling the other person or even worse, alienating ourselves.

There is no shame in not knowing . So next time try saying for example, “xyz is brilliant, you must find out more” and explain why rather than saying “oh don’t you know?!” It will make a difference, I am sure of it.

Apr 20, 2022 5:39:18 am

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Sand Play Post 5 #GratitudeSeries Their children sat playing in the sand pit while their own childhood breezed past their memories. It was surreal, this feeling. They had grown up in a very different place. Where the sun shone brightly and the sea brought with it stories from across its shores. They played in the sand for hours on end building sandcastles and chasing dreams. It was such a contrast to this sand in a children’s play area, armed with coats and jackets, protection from this frosty wind. Yet, the sand turned their children into little balls of creative energy. Using the spades and buckets they set about their work. The youngest was busy observing and exploring her surroundings whilst her older cousins got busy. It was heartwarming to watch the oldest looking after his two younger siblings. Suddenly they were reminded of their oldest cousin and wished that he was there with them right now to relive this moment. It felt as if an important part of their childhood was missing and they hoped to meet again soon to witness history repeating itself.

Sand Play

Post 5 #GratitudeSeries

Their children sat playing in the sand pit while their own childhood breezed past their memories. It was surreal, this feeling. They had grown up in a very different place. Where the sun shone brightly and the sea brought with it stories from across its shores. They played in the sand for hours on end building sandcastles and chasing dreams.

It was such a contrast to this sand in a children’s play area, armed with coats and jackets, protection from this frosty wind. Yet, the sand turned their children into little balls of creative energy. Using the spades and buckets they set about their work. The youngest was busy observing and exploring her surroundings whilst her older cousins got busy.

It was heartwarming to watch the oldest looking after his two younger siblings. Suddenly they were reminded of their oldest cousin and wished that he was there with them right now to relive this moment. It felt as if an important part of their childhood was missing and they hoped to meet again soon to witness history repeating itself.

Apr 15, 2022 5:13:40 am

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Notes From The Airport Post 4 #GratitudeSeries It is our first flight as a family of four. It is also my first flight since the diagnosis. We have cleared security without much drama except for baby R throwing a fit because he had to be parted from his beloved toy for a few minutes. One of the security personnel kindly asked him whether he was hungry to which he took offence and said “not hungry not hungry, I want Zuma!” referring to his toy. It was amazing to observe ow he comprehended what a stranger said to him and then responded It was baby R’s first flight and his first experience of an airport. He was entirely fascinated by the aeroplanes that he almost always saw in books or on television. For a boisterous two-year-old, he showed us some sympathy. Although it wasn’t a bed of Roses it wasn’t too thorny either. Of course there were squabbles over the window seat and so on but overall I think the boys did really well. Learnings from this trip would be to cater to in-flight entertainment and rely less on the magic of candy.

Notes From The Airport

Post 4 #GratitudeSeries

It is our first flight as a family of four. It is also my first flight since the diagnosis. We have cleared security without much drama except for baby R throwing a fit because he had to be parted from his beloved toy for a few minutes. One of the security personnel kindly asked him whether he was hungry to which he took offence and said “not hungry not hungry, I want Zuma!” referring to his toy. It was amazing to observe ow he comprehended what a stranger said to him and then responded

It was baby R’s first flight and his first experience of an airport. He was entirely fascinated by the aeroplanes that he almost always saw in books or on television. For a boisterous two-year-old, he showed us some sympathy. Although it wasn’t a bed of Roses it wasn’t too thorny either. Of course there were squabbles over the window seat and so on but overall I think the boys did really well. Learnings from this trip would be to cater to in-flight entertainment and rely less on the magic of candy.

Apr 09, 2022 7:33:43 am

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Homework At The Dining Table Note #3 #GratitudeSeries I remember those evenings in our kitchen; Mum cooking a comforting meal; The radio softly humming in the background, Our grandparents listening to the news. And amidst that joyful cacophony and delicious aroma, my brother and me doing our homework. There was banter about our day at school; what we’d learned, how much we’d played, who was our best friend and why! We’d compare stationary, fight over crayons, non dust erasers and the sharpest pencils. We’d doodle, make paper planes and count the number of lines on our page. I also remember mum setting a bowl of soup by our side and we lapping it up, ever so carefully so as to not spill it on our homework! Then after much to-ing and fro-ing, we’d complete it all and carelessly toss it aside; Our ravenous tummies now rumbling for more food. Picture courtesy @[100063958604121:2048:Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye]

Homework At The Dining Table

Note #3 #GratitudeSeries

I remember those evenings in our kitchen; Mum cooking a comforting meal;
The radio softly humming in the background,
Our grandparents listening to the news.
And amidst that joyful cacophony and delicious aroma, my brother and me doing our homework.

There was banter about our day at school; what we’d learned, how much we’d played, who was our best friend and why!
We’d compare stationary, fight over crayons, non dust erasers and the sharpest pencils.
We’d doodle, make paper planes and count the number of lines on our page.

I also remember mum setting a bowl of soup by our side and we lapping it up, ever so carefully so as to not spill it on our homework!
Then after much to-ing and fro-ing, we’d complete it all and carelessly toss it aside;
Our ravenous tummies now rumbling for more food.

Picture courtesy Deepak Amembal’s Magiceye

Apr 05, 2022 12:29:16 pm

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My Grandmother’s Hands Note #2 #GratitudeSeries I have very vivid memories of my grandmother’s hands. When I think about her hands, I am first reminded of the many meals that she fed me, rice mixed with dal or a curry. Her fingers would deftly pick up a mound of rice, along with a few pieces of vegetable and expertly mould it into bite-size portions to feed my three year old self. As I was chewing that mouthful, I could see her hands at work again, preparing the next one for me to eat. As she was doing this she would be regaling me with tales of fierce animals and cheeky princesses, as well as heroes from everyday lives. I looked forward to these meal times with her every day. Saying that she made the whole experience rather enchanting would not be an overstatement. Today on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, I am reminded of how swiftly her hands would work to thread together a toran made up of marigolds and mango leaves. Her hands worked so rhythmically that it was mesmerising to watch. Gudi Padwa also reminds me of the unde or laddoos that she made out of powdered sugar and wheat flour. I remember watching her effortlessly making laddoo after laddoo and piling them onto a plate. At the end, we would have a beautiful dome-like structure made of laddoos! There is something about the nature of hands that is so inspiring because they help us get on don’t they? And yes! They help us create and creation is as close as we can get to magic.

My Grandmother’s Hands

Note #2 #GratitudeSeries

I have very vivid memories of my grandmother’s hands. When I think about her hands, I am first reminded of the many meals that she fed me, rice mixed with dal or a curry. Her fingers would deftly pick up a mound of rice, along with a few pieces of vegetable and expertly mould it into bite-size portions to feed my three year old self. As I was chewing that mouthful, I could see her hands at work again, preparing the next one for me to eat. As she was doing this she would be regaling me with tales of fierce animals and cheeky princesses, as well as heroes from everyday lives. I looked forward to these meal times with her every day. Saying that she made the whole experience rather enchanting would not be an overstatement.

Today on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, I am reminded of how swiftly her hands would work to thread together a toran made up of marigolds and mango leaves. Her hands worked so rhythmically that it was mesmerising to watch. Gudi Padwa also reminds me of the unde or laddoos that she made out of powdered sugar and wheat flour. I remember watching her effortlessly making laddoo after laddoo and piling them onto a plate. At the end, we would have a beautiful dome-like structure made of laddoos!

There is something about the nature of hands that is so inspiring because they help us get on don’t they? And yes! They help us create and creation is as close as we can get to magic.

Apr 02, 2022 10:12:39 am

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This month, I will post notes around the theme of gratitude. Starting off with Note #1 in this #GratitudeSeries Family My parents’ living room, where my extended family has gathered around for cha and gupshup. Dad and Uncle are cracking dad jokes, the rest of us laughing out loud to humour them. My grandma is sitting by the dining table overlooking her brood, a quiet sense of contentment on her face. My mum and aunt are flitting about from kitchen to living room ensuring everyone’s tummies are full. They are then cajoled into joining in the fun, to forget about the logistics and just relax and have a laugh with the rest of us. Conversation is flowing like that cha and everybody appears to be in good spirits. It is this moment that makes me feel so loved and grateful for this gift of family. It doesn’t matter that we don’t meet often enough now that we are in different parts of the world. But when we meet it is as if the years in between melt away. Individually we all create a collective energy that lifts us and protects us. And that moment to me is everything.

This month, I will post notes around the theme of gratitude.

Starting off with Note #1 in this #GratitudeSeries

Family

My parents’ living room, where my extended family has gathered around for cha and gupshup. Dad and Uncle are cracking dad jokes, the rest of us laughing out loud to humour them. My grandma is sitting by the dining table overlooking her brood, a quiet sense of contentment on her face. My mum and aunt are flitting about from kitchen to living room ensuring everyone’s tummies are full. They are then cajoled into joining in the fun, to forget about the logistics and just relax and have a laugh with the rest of us. Conversation is flowing like that cha and everybody appears to be in good spirits. It is this moment that makes me feel so loved and grateful for this gift of family. It doesn’t matter that we don’t meet often enough now that we are in different parts of the world. But when we meet it is as if the years in between melt away. Individually we all create a collective energy that lifts us and protects us. And that moment to me is everything.

Apr 01, 2022 12:29:14 pm

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Dear Stalkers, Spies et al It’s about time I called you out. So many times in real life when I meet some of you, I get told oh I love your writing, oh you write beautifully and so on. And I am left thinking to myself, do you actually read my work? Why didn’t I know till today? Why are you telling me this now? And the song “Every move you make….I’ll be watching you” plays as background score to our conversation! My point is why can’t this be shared when you actually read my work or is it just to make some bloody small talk once again? Maybe I should start asking which poem or article do you like best? Anything in particular that I wrote that spoke to you? As artists and writers, yes we do create for ourselves but appreciation is always welcome. If you like something, express it? More importantly, if you disagree with something that I write please do express that too. Any communication is better than no communication. And this stalking is very unnerving to put it mildly. It freaks me out. And no, not a fan of secret admirers. Thank you.

Dear Stalkers, Spies et al

It’s about time I called you out. So many times in real life when I meet some of you, I get told oh I love your writing, oh you write beautifully and so on. And I am left thinking to myself, do you actually read my work? Why didn’t I know till today? Why are you telling me this now? And the song “Every move you make….I’ll be watching you” plays as background score to our conversation!

My point is why can’t this be shared when you actually read my work or is it just to make some bloody small talk once again? Maybe I should start asking which poem or article do you like best? Anything in particular that I wrote that spoke to you? As artists and writers, yes we do create for ourselves but appreciation is always welcome.

If you like something, express it? More importantly, if you disagree with something that I write please do express that too. Any communication is better than no communication.
And this stalking is very unnerving to put it mildly.

It freaks me out.

And no, not a fan of secret admirers.

Thank you.

Mar 28, 2022 1:23:19 pm

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Dear Ma ❤️

Dear Ma ❤️

Mar 25, 2022 8:17:16 am

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🍊🧡 On World Poetry Day, today 🍊🧡

🍊🧡 On World Poetry Day, today 🍊🧡

Mar 21, 2022 11:22:01 am

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Ukraine 🇺🇦 ❤️‍🩹

As I lay down in my comfortable bed, I cannot stop thinking about the depressing images from Ukraine. This world we are living in is a complicated one.. Our experience of this war is through social media hashtags and memes, some of which are in extremely poor taste. The solidarity that is shown towards this crisis by people across the world is reassuring to an extent because it lends a sense of unity even though it may be far-fetched and virtual. In a post pandemic world, a war is taking place whilst the rest of the world is getting on with their lives.. So we get on with our daily lives as if nothing has changed because nothing really has changed for us, has it? It is only when things start affecting us personally do we wake up and take notice. Until then it is happening to someone else, somewhere else. And that is the problem with the world today. Or perhaps that is down to human nature in its rawest form.

Feb 27, 2022 12:13:00 am

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Ghar Ghar Ki ‘Bath’??

“Mummy!! Mummyy Mummmyyyy” I hear my toddlers shout in the midst of what was supposed to be a relaxing shower. I can’t remember the last time I actually sat in a bathtub luxuriating in the comfort of bath bombs, a book and let’s be frank my personal space. My bathing ritual can be very clearly bucketed into BC – Before Children and AC – After Children. As I try to hurriedly finish my shower I can hear my children becoming more impatient as they have resorted to thumping the bathroom door. I slip into my clothes as if my life depended on it and open the bathroom door to find out why the commotion.

“We need crayons mummy!” both of them chorus and “ daddy can’t find them!” they complain. I just about avoid rolling my eyes at this and head out to the living room to fetch the box of crayons. I wonder who will address my complaint of an extremely rushed bath. Then I remember to always see the silver lining. At least I managed a bath! #mummywin? Ooooh yes!!

Feb 21, 2022 1:56:29 pm

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Grahak Saman Day (Cooperative Society Groceries Day)

Some memories from my childhood are threatening to fade away. I want to preserve them and so I write about them. One such memory is that of the Grahak Saman Day. (Grahak refers to a cooperative set up including members of a local community and Saman refers to groceries in this context). My grandma was a very active member of the Grahak committee. A host of tasks needed doing right from collating the grocery orders of various members to distributing the products efficiently.

This day would be an extremely busy one at home. I remember the build up towards the afternoon of the coveted day, when the delivery truck heaving with sacks of rice, flours, pulses, bottles of oil and so on would arrive at the designated building. Workers would unload the saman and place it on the ground. Following which it was distributed into different piles. Members then arrived one by one to collect their saman.

At home, storing the saman was a huge task making physical labour imperative. Huge dabbas and big glass jars were refilled and replenished. I remember the banter, the teamwork and the sense of oneness that this activity fostered. I sometimes remember those days when I put my groceries away on my own in my quiet kitchen in suburban London. Oh what I’d do to go back to those days, in the kitchen of my childhood.

Deepak Amembal Chitra Amembal Chitra Natarajan Bhushan Korgaonkar

Feb 18, 2022 5:38:12 pm

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Courage

Courage is showing up when you’d rather not. It is facing your fears in the face. It is persevering every day of your life until you achieve your goals, however small. It is endurance in its rawest form. It is moving, always moving.

Courage is also staying put when you need to. It is facing your fears at your own pace. It is persevering every day of your life even if your goals haven’t been met. It is resistance to protect yourself. It is rest.

Feb 15, 2022 10:57:41 am

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Grandma’s Sewing Machine

Tak tak tak tak
The smell of the machine oil invades my nostrils
Tak tak tak
The sound of ripping cloth manages to make its presence felt over the din of a bustling household
Tak tak tak
I play with colourful spools of thread, invariably tasting red, sometimes blue, always yellow.

It’s Friday evening- a time when my grandmother sets out to conquer this beast of a machine and to get it to do her bidding. Altering too long trousers, loosening snugly fitting blouses, stitching a ‘ fall’ onto a sari.

I stand beside her as she works her way through her tasks with supreme efficiency. It’s as if she’s in a different world and I am observing her. Her hands and feet in a beautifully coordinated rhythm. I realise they have to work together to create and this realisation mesmerises me. I am afraid to speak or even move for I don’t want to break this magical moment. So I stand there transfixed until the machine comes to a whirring halt.

©notesonthego

Feb 11, 2022 12:42:02 am

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Communicating Boundaries

A lot has been said these days about self preservation and establishing boundaries. Sure, great, happy to respect boundaries. I am all for it. However nothing is being said about how to communicate those boundaries. And that is the problem.

Who are you communicating with? Does that person mean something to you? Do they care about you? Do they mean well?

In the name of self preservation are we tainting relationships, normalising ghosting and showing grace to words that are hurtful?

Boundaries after all by their very nature are meant to divide, aren’t they?

Feb 10, 2022 9:42:36 am

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Self Preservation

You are allowed to have bad days and admit it. We are conditioned to portray that all is well when in fact it’s not. You do not need to pretend to make others feel comfortable. You do not always have to maintain the peace. It is NOT your responsibility.

I hope that this year you choose you. Do what makes you happy. Do what helps to preserve your sense of self. You do you.

©notesonthego

Feb 09, 2022 10:25:07 pm