It’s a dull and dreary day today. It has been raining most of the night and early morning. I am woken up by owls hooting on our roof. Yes, you read right. There are these two owls what kind????which come every fall. I guess it is their mating season and they find our house to be an ideal place. All the love within emanates to the roof, I guess 😜

It is 8 am and the house is silent. The kiddo is off to school. From 6.45 to 7.35 is a busy time in the Dhar household. The twelve year old HATES getting up early. Getting him to complete his ablutions is a herculean effort. The morning starts with arguments, a shouting match, some spilt milk and more than once dropped breakfast. Once the yellow bus starts moving away, peace descends and I can breathe again.

Tea in hand, I pick up my phone. I have to call Ma. She left for India yesterday. She will no longer be my constant companion. She was with me for more than two months. One gets used to having someone around in two months. Every morning she would religiously deliver all the family grapevine after short chats with relatives in India. More importantly, she was always around to just ask how I am doing…it is nice to have someone like that around…isn’t it? I stop my mind from wandering and quickly make a WhatsApp call. She has reached India safely. A sigh of relief.

I literally drag myself to get ready for work. The body seems limp and heavy, unwilling to move at the same pace as the mind. Finally it is done – shower, getting dressed, combing the ever receding hairline and breakfast.

The short 2.5 mile drive begins as I start traversing the labyrinthine inner roads of the quintessential American suburb we live in. I look at the rear view mirror and see a silver Volvo driving dangerously close to me. It’s a woman driving, looking totally hassled with life. She looks like she is late for work. I am driving at 30 mph in a 25 mph zone and she is completely frustrated at my speed. She not only tailgates me but tries to overtake me in a school zone. Why? Dear God would you put yourself and these poor children at risk? My anger is brimming. My ears feel hot and I start sweating thinking about how selfish and stupid we adults can be.

I carry these thoughts with me as I enter the school where I teach dance to 2 to 5 year olds. All negative thoughts seem to fade away as the sweet innocent and naughty faces appear one by one. “I love you miss Lopa”, says an innocent looking 4 year old. The show of pure affection suddenly seems to suck away all the negativity and sadness from me. Suddenly the sun is peeking from behind the clouds. The one hour dance class seems a lot shorter with all the cheerful faces in the room. I walk out feeling very different.

There is a spring in my step and smile on my lips. On reaching home I decide to cook for the family. Alexa is ordered to play my favorite music and with that I immerse myself into a culinary frenzy. The rest of the day is a breeze. The kiddo comes from school and suddenly gives me a big hug. I live for these rare showing of affection from my preteen. The husband returns home from an international trip, tired yet happy to be home.

He pours us yummilicious drinks in the evening and we decide to sip our drinks in the warmth of the setting sun. As we sip our drinks in unison, talking about our past and future, we hear a faint noise. What is that? Is it an animal? We listen in silence. It is the same owl. It is back and calling for its mate. We see it perch regally on our chimney. It looks straight at us as if to let us know all is well in the world. I feel peace and quiet descend on my mind and soul. The creature which has woken me up so woefully, is now a messenger of comfort. I look at it and smile. It seems to smile back at me.

It is okey…rest little lady…tomorrow is another day……..