Sunday, April 28, 2019

Celebration- so far and beyond.

This morning I was talking to a friend about saree ( what else : ) ) and I was joking that  I am so ready for my nieces and nephews to get married so I can wear nice sarees. Which turned the conversation to “the things we miss about India”. Many wedding invites from friends and family just get ignored. If we were there we would have been part of so many weddings. I have been thinking about this wedding fever for the past few days. I am at the age where many of my school friends are getting ready to become in laws. Many of my high school friends are planning a reunion at a friend’s daughter’s wedding. Imagine.. Many of the mausis( aunts) are more excited than the bride, because they will get to meet many old friends after many years.
Last week my cousin got married, the youngest of the clan. He was 6 or 7 when we left India. But his mom, my chachi has always been my darling. Their home is my “mayka (mom’s home)” when I am in Durg, a meeting place for all of us cousins.
His wedding was again a reminder of our reality, that distance does matter in some ways. Many of my cousins got together and it was fun to see them together . They all had fun and shared some with us. With Whatsapp calls and Facetime many of us could join the celebration. The time difference didn’t matter, neither did the distance. They were having sangeet(music) celebration and here I was in my pajamas making chai. Nani(mother’s mother) dancing with Shaival on “kajara muhhabat wala” will remain my favorite memory of the wedding.
My Facetime luxury enabled me to enjoy the conversation and fun going on there. Technology has really changed our lives in many ways.I could see and comment on everyone’s saree in real time. I didn’t have to wait for pictures to come the next day. I saw my mom and chachis and bua together, saw the nieces and nephews dancing and having fun with the older generation. Many of them look just like their parents did when they were of that age. It took me back in time.
Two years ago I was in Durg for a day at Chacha’s and Shaival got me this beautiful off white saree. It was an emotional day, I had a hard time accepting a gift from my baby brother. But chachi could convince me that it’s a good sign that the younger brother is earning . I should accept it as a good omen. Somehow that saree remained in my closet for more than two years. Finally, on his wedding day I wore it to a musical meet. I couldn’t be happier for all of us. I felt so close to home wearing that saree. Now I am so glad I waited this long. This saree will always remind me of the love of cousins.
Chacha - Dads brother
Chachi – Dad’s younger brother’s wife (Aunt)
Bua – Dad’s sister
#100Sareepactandbeyond #100sareepact #Sareestory #cousin #wedding #family #Ilovemycousin #memories #sareespeak