Growing up in a small town in Tamil Nadu, my Diwali day was centered on wearing the new outfits, grand feast with family, distributing sweets to friends and relatives and having a good afternoon nap . I still get excited during festival times even after living in US for more than a decade. Food brings fond memories both old and new . I managed to make Mysorepa, Boondhi laddu (tamil style), Badam Burfi, Murukku and Ribbon pakkoda this year.
I celebrated this Diwali with NR kuttan. NR cooperated so well today and watched me tidying up the house with his big bright trademark smile. He did not have the usual separation anxiety episodes. Taking care of 6 month old with no help makes life challenging especially during festival times. With the usual morning chores for NR, I managed to take a shower around noon. CB surprised us by bringing lunch from an Indian restaurant in spite of his hectic Monday schedule. He knew that it's not possible for me fix a festival meal with a six month old baby.
For every Diwali we celebrated in US, I used to wear ethnic dress and jewels and visited our friends to distribute home-made palakaram (sweets and snacks) .This year we did not do our regular rounds since CB taught a class that evening. We planned to visit friends during the course of this week when we get time.
NR took a nap during pooja time. I thought I’d had to do pooja alone. With Divine intervention, my good friend decided to visit us exactly when I started the pooja. We prayed together and exchanged sweets. This Diwali I am thankful for getting our special and long-awaited gift NR . And also for getting back my physical strength on time to prepare sweets and snacks for Diwali after difficult pregnancy and postpartum.
