Of Birthdays, Writing and Superheroes

#sareespeak

#aucklandnzssmeet

#sustainablefashion

#sustainablesareeing

#veenafirst

Disclaimer – Extremely long post. Gets longer with age.

“To live in this single moment, this lightest breath, this softest touch, to be captured by this smallest, this briefest space of time, to be fully present, alive, consumed by this instant alone, this is truly living” ~ Jim Pendley.

I saw this on an FB post on Friday and was immediately floored.
So true, eh?
I would like to live this.
Saturday was my born-day.
Awoke, feeling grateful? Happy?
The night before, all night, that morning, I had messages on whatsapp, viber, social media wishing me. Felt humbled, overwhelmed, touched by love, blessings showered.
Family had asked what I wanted.
Wanted to spend the whole day with them.
And so the celebrations started the evening before.
With my girls, Mediterranean cuisine, then a feel good chick flick romantic movie.
At the stroke of midnight, I was hugged, wished.
Rose early, coffee.
Draped a midnight blue cotton silk with gold and magenta brocade borders, temple korvais, gold and pink pallu, gifted by a student during Navarathri. This is our secret – blouse is being sewn, so I matched it with another saree’s blouse, husband asked if it was the correct blouse, he is quite obsessed with exact matches and believes that sarees don’t stand out if matched incorrectly. I lied convincingly that it was and decided I’d tell him later once the actual blouse appeared. Or maybe not. 😎 What doesn’t destroy you will make you stronger. He will learn to accept unmatched stuff.
Temple.
Friend’s place, where I was served some delicious lemony, aval uppma, with grated carrots, mango, coconut followed by mango dessert with curd, garnished with almonds and pistachios. So sweet of her, she presented me with some beautiful pearls, to be strung later.
Home.
Off for lunch at a dear friend’s restaurant for Chettinad cuisine.
She hadn’t known it was my birthday when I’d called her to book a table.
She then found out on social media.
Oh the perils of FB.
So at the end of the meal, she brought in 2 glorious mango kulfis, one with a candle, mouth wateringly delicious, washed it down with Madras Kaapi.
Stopped at a garden nursery for Suresh to pick up some pots and compost to plant his newly acquired plants.
Home, just a few chores.
Napped, actually didn’t. Trying to answer messages, calls.
Spoke to mum, sisters, sister in laws, friends overseas.
Anusha had her dance and vocal classes. Vindhya was off to buy some stuff.
Tea with Suresh.
Was getting ready for the evening’s outing when the girls kept calling for me.
Hair in a shower bun, powder plastered on my face, got to the hall to see the table decorated with balloons, streamers, and a tiny black forest cheesecake. And Anusha’s little students and moms. Singing Happy Birthday.
Touched, cut a tiny black forest cheesecake, each had a tiny slice.
Opened my lovely gifts of some beautiful dress purses, large and small, perfect to go with my sareeing, gift cards, plants, flowers, chocolates and yes, running shoes! Hint? Well, you cant get more blatant than that!
Off to a luxurious movie-dinner experience.
Watched a heart warming movie, a light hearted look at dark times. A satirical black comedy. Well acted, well directed.
Home.
More messages, put them aside to answer over the next few days,
Spoke to my life long kindred spirits in Perth. In KL.
Went to bed, feeling grateful, even more so than when I’d risen that morning, feeling loved, appreciated.
Feeling love.

Now for a Post Script, a PS, a Disclaimer.
So many friends had called, wished, written messages, saying Superwoman, Multi tasking, Multi talented or to that effect.
I will say this now.
Super? Multi?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
Reason is, I have no filter.
I have an obsessive need to regurgitate my day’s goings on.
I am no less, no more, no different from any woman I know, a superhero in her own right.
And I think I have no fear, I believe in myself, I am also trusting. I allow people into my life, my home, in the hope that
it may make them smile, chuckle, burst into fits of giggles,
relate to me,
that positivity will breed more positivity, inner strength, self confidence and happiness.
I love it when someone somewhere says she relates to something I’ve said and it may be about housework.
And then the conversation starts, I’ve made a friend, and I dont feel judged or crazy.
I actually feel accepted.
So..
Dear friends, unleash your inner creativity, share your thoughts, experiences, feelings, someone will relate to you and everyone, you included, will feel much the better for it. Stay blessed one and all. Much love.