#sareespeak #womenofsareespeak
#SS 16/2021
#86
#organzasaree
#organza #themeofthemonth #loveisintheair
Sigh.
Got out of lockdown only to
Get into Yet another lockdown.
Cancellation of plans.
Uni starts tomorrow for the Mr and D2.
D1 will still go to work but
the rest of us will work/study from home.
Am now resigned to a routine we are all familiar with.
By we, I mean We the world over.
Was quite demotivated to write anything, except my food blogs, if one could call it a blog.
Then this morning after a strong Nespresso Kazar, hanging the washing out to dry, feeding the birds, grinding the dosa ma,
Browsed through SS.
Came across Kavita Lohiya Bajpai ‘s post. She looked lovely in her blue applique work saree, but more than that, her writings struck home.
The current world climate has taken a toll on its inhabitants.
And us women.
Yes, as she rightly mentions,
Overnight,
A paid holiday,
We became Masterchefs, took long walks, handled Zoom meetings, remote training, consulting with aplomb, played Articulate, Balderdash, Rummikub, Monopoly, watched 5 seasons of trending shows, devoured books, read and unread..
And that, we thought, kept us sane and happy,
Yet being the ‘strong’ unofficial heads of households,
No, not the Heads,
But the floor slabs, the beams, the very Foundations of households,
We get trodden on,
Not in a bad mean way,
But walked on, walked over.
How many of us dared to internalize our thoughts and feelings?
How many of us spoke up, spoke out?
We threw ourselves into more of what kept the others sane,
We wiped tears, cracked a joke or two, sometimes while our hearts were breaking, watching loved ones weep over cancelled engagements, functions,
Hearing of passings on, and being unable to touch, speak, for the last time,
Squinting at screens to view miniatures of birthdays, weddings, funerals..
No, not good enough,
Not good at all.
We must take time to let it out, to chat, to scream, to have a meltdown if need be,
Or to just sit, reflect, meditate.
My strategies are these.
No. 1.
I pass the grief on.
Not a selfish act.
Not at all.
I merely offload my pain onto all and sundry (in lockdown, those at home),
They listen, take it in their stride, and try to be empathetic, caring,
I feel good the moment it’s off my chest.
No 2.
I cook.
Nothing gourmet.
Nothing fancy.
I cook from a place of no expectations,
a place therefore of growing calm, peace. I potter around in the kitchen, washing up, wiping tops, floor as I go along.
I may decide on two dishes, then decide to do one more or no more.
Then I take photos, post them, blog.
Clog, more like it – Cooking log, clogging friends’ newsfeeds.
And oh-feel-so-much-better!
No. 3.
I listen to/play music. Vibrating strings, strumming, pressing down on frets, gliding, and the heart soars. I sing mentally, aloud, doesn’t matter, but it is an acupressure, meditation of sorts. My happiness kick.
No. 4, 5 and what-not..
I read,
I write.
I watch Netflix, Prime, Youtube, Disney+.
I call a friend.
I send memes, dancing old lady, frowning, laughing baby gifs over WhatsApp, Messenger.
And I saree. Is that a Verb?
Saree Speak has “Verb-ed” that.
And provided a safe, non judgmental forum for Verbalizing the unsaid.
Draped a bright red organza saree with gold, red, green leaf like buttis on body and pallu. Gifted by a dear friend quite a few years ago.
Red for February’s Love theme.
A Light saree to promote lightness of being.
In these times, ladies, what else can you do?
But go within, look outwards too,
For
Love and Light.
Stay blessed, safe, sane.
Stay light.
Stay loved.
Bavani’s Happy Place 