This week it’s only smiles.

I get into my car and literally stretch, almost to a supine position, to get my foot on the pedals. The seat is pushed all the way back as far as it can go, just short of touching the rear seat. I smile!

I slowly get it back to its original position and start the engine. For a moment I don’t know what assaulted me. Then I realize that its loud blaring music … my teeth rattle:shaking:, my hands shiver and my whole body shudders. But I smile!

It takes a few minutes to steady my jangled nerves and switch to the serene and calm voice of M.S.

Its garbage pickup day and on returning home it is a pleasant shock to see the garbage can and the recycling bin already towed away to the back yard. I grin!

I enter home to be greeted by loud banging, shooting noises from the TV. It is a war movie going on. I smile!

I open the fridge happy to see that a fresh can of milk has been bought, saving me a trip to the store. And oh, what else do I see?…a bottle of orange-pineapple-mango juice, a can of Sprite, and some cheese. I smile!

An extra cup of coffee is made and every time I ask, the answer is always, “oh a san’wich or somethin..” which really means hot grilled cheese sandwiches and that is what I rustle up for a snack.
The kitchen counters are full of other munchies...chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread snaps, the fruit bowls filled with blueberries, grapes, and tiny oranges; I smile seeing them.

I go upstairs to thrown in a batch of laundry and open the washer... “aahhh”…full of clothes. I open the dryer to throw in the washed clothes, “AAAHH” …full of clothes! I curb my instinct to yell, “come and empty the washer/dryer...” Instead, I smile.

I walk to the computer room and in the passage I see a pile of tissue boxes, a big can of Tide detergent, a package of anti-static dryer sheets, a new bottle of body wash, a toothpaste tube ready to be packed. I quickly check my supplies cabinet and yep all missing one! I smile.

Meals the past few days have been noodles, kothu parotta, pulao, masala dosa, masala vadai, bajjis, and…
…. the past few days at every meal my husband has never forgotten to declare that “food has not tasted this good for a lOnngg time” I simply smile.

Post dinner would be recollections of the soccer games, the broken arm on the first day of summer holidays, the “only mummy should carry me” trouble maker, the sticky hands , the muddy shoes, the SAT exams, the …
Discussions would range from politics, to Hollywood gossip, to latest technology, to history, space, and everything under the sun. We smile!

Yes, my younger son is home for a week of Spring break. This is the scenario when either or both my sons come home. I am all smiles!!

From next week the car seat will be in the right position, Carnatic music will always waft from the car radio, nary a sight of cookies, juice or soda will be seen in the kitchen; meals will be healthy. The washer and dryer will be at my disposal. I will trudge the garbage cans every Tuesday evening to the back yard, and rush to the store for errands.

Every day we will enter our homes greeted by loud silence….and we will wait, counting the days till our sons' next visit.

 

Dear Mindi
Thank you very much for your lovely first feedback. I did read your article and it is so close to what I have written. Nice to have someone share the same sentiments.

The next two days I am taking time off too!

 

Dear Sats
Thank you so much. It was nice to write too, after a long time.
Just that there were many personal events that would not allow me to think otherwise.

My son is still home this week and I am making the most of it. Yes, the house is home, complete, when even one of them visits.

 

Haha Balajee!
My husband says the same thing too!
The truth is I cook the same meals; only the food tastes better because he is sharing it with loved ones.
"..it is always festival time...." I agree with you 100% on this.

Thank you for your lovely feedback.