The joy of simple living!

It was a bright summer day in 1974. I was laying out my tea set on the balcony. It was a pale blue plastic set from England .It was a precious thing we brought back from the UK when we arrived in Madras last year .I lined up my dolls-all dressed in their best for an afternoon tea party. Mother made small sandwiches and cut cakes into tiny squares. Iced tea was ready to be served. Everything was perfect. It always was when I had my mother with me or so it seemed. She made me feel special, a princess really. It was a time when time stood still.

Those were times when mothers had time to play scrabble or snakes and ladders. We would make cakes ,whip up puddings and arrange flowers from the garden into exquisite arrangements .Every evening saw us walk down Kilpauk hand in hand, Mother was all ears to listen to my school and college tales .We would try out new hair styles for each other and she would take great pride in designing my clothes for me. Textures, colours and patterns were of utmost importance for her.

Watching programs on TV were a rare family event. It was Olliyum olliyum on Fridays, the Englsih news on week nights and the occasional movie on weekends if we were home .On Sunday evenings we visited Athai, Mama and spent time with cousins. Beach trip with cousins with all of us stuffed into fathers grey fiat is something we all talk about even today. Visiting grand parents and laughing together for thatha’s jokes ,cuddling into Paatti’s kanchipuram sari were all little pleasures that can never be forgotten.

Christmas saw mother bake cakes at home .Indian sweets were made in the back yard on a large scale to distribute to friends and neighbours .The bright jangri and perfectly rolled laddoos were rich and the smell of pure ghee filled the air.When visitors dropped by, home made treats were served and often they were asked to join in for the next meal. There was always time for happy banter and joyous laughter. Sitting together as a family was always priority. Nobody wanted their ‘i’ place.Yes it was life at its best.

Today we have the telephone embedded in our palms and the world in our hands, but as we rush about our busy lives does time ever stand still?