This too shall pass

As 2020 is drawing it's chapter to a close in a couple of days, it's time to recount the bombshell of a year that has been!

Our Families, their love, support and the memories of the bygone good times are what has kept most of us going this year. 2020 has been far from different for most of us as were all the festive seasons and holidays.

A wild, wacky whirlwind which tossed us about in directions we never dreamt of. This holiday season was more about showing love and compassion than opening presents and gifts.

While some were barely surviving to bring food to the table, the shocking loss of jobs for some, their homes for some, loss of loved ones to isolation or to the pandemic itself, made me realize that it may not be the happiest, jolliest time for all.

Also, the separation from family spanning oceans and continents had made a large percentage of people lonely, sad and anxious.Would it be appropriate for me to send cards or wish seasons greetings, Merry Christmas or even Happy Holidays??-- the hesitation and confusion were niggling like a thorn at the back of my mind all the time.

Meanwhile, over the past few days, I've come across documentaries of various accounts of courageous people who are holding up under these grueling circumstances where they have said that they can't afford a Christmas tree this time, decent meal for the family or even fly home for the holidays for reunions.

While they are at it, barely scraping through to make ends meet, gifts and presents were not even on their list this Christmas. They watched the disappointed looks of their children with a helplessness which knew no measure. But they are resilient albeit in the dismal face of things and trying hard to keep a smile on their faces in the spirit of the season. I'm more than proud of them and their tribe❤️. May they know joy soon.

For all those who are not adversely affected by this dire situation and are wrapping presents for loved ones, cooking piping hot dinners, preparing desserts, cakes, puddings and pies, washing utensils and clearing up after, consider it a blessing, not a chore. For, not all have the good fortune of having a family around, roof over their heads, and the means to celebrate even with the downward spiral during this world wide chaos. Gratitude goes a long way here ✨🙏

While we wait, watch and wonder when things will get back on track, Hope is the one thing which keeps us all going. Positivity and prayers too go hand in hand.

We have all shared, cared, done our bit in our own ways to give our moral support or extended a kind word or hand. It is the worst of times, which has brought out the best of humane streaks in most of us🙏

Though it was a sombre environment during all the festive seasons for the most of 2020, nevertheless, I wish for everyone to have peace in their hearts and fortitude in their spirit. Better times will come. They always do! May 2021 bring us all the much needed Peace, Calm, Security and restoration of good health of the human race.

Sending you all Prayers, Love and Good thoughts✨

God Bless us all 🙏

----Sangeetha Kamath

Comments

ANAM CARA

The waves are soft and frothy. Laced with gossamer frills tenderly kissing the tips of my toes covered with the grainy sand of the rugged seashore where I'm sitting, wistful. A gust of briny breeze tousles my hair as I gaze as far as my eyes can see. A flock of terns wheel overhead, their sharp, shrill cries punctuating the air as they dive and swoop over the surfs. A lone frigate bird , its crimson belly dazzling like a jewel skims majestically above, its long, slender wings outstretched as it rides the thermals high above the ocean. I absorb the sights and sounds of the late afternoon while absentmindedly scooping seashells beside me. As the afternoon phases, the furthest rim of the ocean is fringed in a gilded hem and the sleepy sun yawns, its dipping glow streaking the sky in a mellow tangerine and warm cherry. As I continue sitting there, the ships and yachts appear --specks of light from the portholes glimmering in the distance, reminding me of the phrase “That ship has sai...

BOKETTO

In my quiet moments, I pause the world from its frantic pace. In that stillness, I wistfully gaze into the distance and just let things unfurl as they please. I let my thoughts flow, absorbing nothing. Internalizing nothing. And just like that, the strands of tightly woven twine untangle and the knots come loose. Today, as usual, I found myself caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily grind. I was rushing to get things done, stressing about deadlines, and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of tasks on my to-do list. But then, I took a deliberate pause. With a deep breath, I stretched, stepped away from my desk, and walked out onto my balcony. Leaning on the railing, I looked down at the familiar lanes of my neighborhood, twirling around the corners behind the blocks of apartments. The park and playground stood deserted at noon amid the cluster of flowering trees and surrounded by the hedges lining the curbs. I gazed at the sky, feeling the warm sun on my face and ...

ARIEL AND BLUE-BLOOD SHOES

The waves crashed violently against the craggy mountainside and the moonlight shone on the lacy froths. As I waded through the water and stepped on the wet sand, I remembered another night which was many moons ago. The same glinting lights through the palace doorways and windows, the fireworks adorning the night sky like shooting stars and meteors. A royal celebration with all the works and the guests dressed up in their best finery and aristocratic jewelry. Of noble births they all were. Blue blooded as the matriarch had pointedly told me once. That unholy night! That night of icy hearts and howling laughter, the echoes of cackling that followed me till I ran on wobbly legs to find my place of comfort where the land met water… Hot tears streaming down, I regretted those days when I lost my heart to a man so spineless. Had I not dragged him to the shore, he would have been a mangled mass after being torn apart by the piranhas and other monstrous maws. How I regret…Oh!...

CHẠ̀WKHRĀW (Chxw̒kh rxw̒)

As usual, at the dot of 8 pm, the Guzheng plays its stirring chords, the haunting notes beginning a slow sweep, rising to a powerful crescendo and alternating with a tranquil ebbing of melody surfing me along the waves of soul-stirring, yet a serene stretch of an hour every day. I make it a point to sit right beside my dining room window to bask in this lulling sound therapy as my neighbor downstairs diligently plays on this zither, oblivious to my admiration. What a luxury it is to have a live orchestra while I savour the last meal of the day. It's a welcome distraction to the otherwise jarring squabbling of the playful neighbourhood children. The Chạ̀wkhrāw of this– that the musical household might move one day is a foreboding thought. Foreshadowing this, deeply ingrained in me is the shattering news I had received upon returning to Singapore after an 8 month absence here. The Ramadan festive season was fast approaching at the end of March but the apar...

HELLO FROM THE OTHER SIDE

The sleek steel grey landline with it's cordless handset gleams in the mid morning sunlight. It's only a fixture on the tabletop these past several years yet loved and flaunted for old times sake. Also, for the numerous times the handset had nestled in our palms. The vintage feel of it and the stronghold of memories I associate it with beats the smartphone by miles. It has in turn been a confidante of our precious moments, some idling talk, some annoyance oh yes ! and all before Whatsapp made an entry into our lives and the poor dear was no longer in demand. The world was at our fingertips. It doesn't complain, doesn't whimper, not even a sigh, murmur or a slightest hint at a whisper of life for the past decade and more! Except… On Thursday the daylights were socked out of me! Lost in mundane chores, I had my gloved hands deep in a pile of soapy water scrubbing away at the breakfast dishes. The usual swell of silence was harshly rend by the landline from the livin...

Sangeetha Kamath

Search This Blog