Few minutes of Panic, and a Testimony

“I’ll be back in  a minute”..tells the security personals at the entrance to my office and runs outside…

The main entrance to the Ministry of Public Works, Kuwait

 

“Sona ! say thanks to the Lord FIRST, and then ask for his favour… it will be granted. You have done that before, and it has worked. So, why not now ?”…my one half.

“But…what am I supposed to give thanks for? I have just had the horrific realization that my most valued gadget is not with me anymore and worst…you just don’t know where you lost it…the other half.

…….

12:10 noon - My phone began to ring. “Alright, your time is up”….thats what it meant.

…………

Our eldest son is leaving to India for a month to be with his grandparents, so had some shopping to do for him. (by the time this is posted, he would have already left). It was Saturday and mornings are the most convenient time for it. Things were planned the previous night - when I leave home for shopping, by when I need to wind up (I could go on and on and on)..when I will be picked up from there (which HE offers to do) and when I will be dropped at my work place…..(we have this over time work, so need to be in office for 2 hrs daily..and it can be anytime of the day, before 4 pm , that is) 

.

Finishing off all the morning chores…..kids breakfast…..grinding the dosa batter for the next day….I take a taxi and by 10 am, reached Lulu Hyper market. (My husband works on Saturday’s too, so many a times, you need to do these things by yourself)  

(a borrowed image, from google)

“2 hours..you get just 2 hours to do the needful”…that was the deal. He can’t afford, and never like to…. spent too much time on his wife during working hours. A sneak peep out of the office during lunch break, well…that he can manage.

.

By around 12, I get the call…”I’ll be there in 10 minutes. BE THERE by the main exit ”. I was glad that me too was on time, just finished the billing and was ready to be picked up. Very rarely does that happen. And, I made sure that I kept my phone in hand, and not inside my handbag. By the time I walked up to the exit, his car had halted in front.

.

12:10 - My phone rang again… …which I cancelled after a few rings. We had seen each other. And, that was the last I saw of my phone too.

 

He drops me at my work place and rushes back to his official desk. Just 3 of us were there in our department at that time and after some chit chat, opens my bag , hands searching for the phone to put it on charge and that is when….oh oh oh….where is it ??  Pulls everything out of the bag, on my desk..under my chair…it just was not there !

.

Was it some where near the exit of the shopping mall ? Was it in the trolley ? Was it in the car ? Amongst the shopped items in the carry bag ? I just didn’t know…
.
You lose your mobile and yes..you do feel sad..but at the end of the day, you just lose the phone numbers of your friends. But ..that was till few years back.  When phones and computers were two separate entities. You need to call your friend, you use the phone. You need to check your mail, you use your computer. But now, these two have merged. Almost everything goes through your mobile many a times.

.

And my worst thoughts was what if it gets in the wrong hand. Not that I have any “bad” stuff in there..definitely not..but..my email, my facebook account, blogs are OPEN. I never ever log out, and anyone could do anything with it..if they wanted to. That did worry me.  Seriously.

Picks the landphone and starts to dial 6.....and then what ???..God ! what in the world is my mobile number ? Mind gone blank. Plain blank.
Took a few seconds to get the relay back and yes, it was ringing.

Mixed emotions –
 

"I hope it is in safe hands and they return it back to me".

"I hope not that it reaches bad hands who manipulate my accounts".

.

Anyways, the number of times I tired ..it kept ringing…not being answered. My mind was still struck at the Lulu mall entrance, or the trolley, and never did I thought of going back down stairs to the entrance to my office where my husband dropped me, until he asked me to do so. Rushed down, pass the security counter..”I’ll be back in a minute”…
 

Again, double thought on this strategical prayer to how to get things done.  But, didn’ t want to take chance..chants in my mind…

 

 

“Thank You God..thanks for all your blessings…you have blessed me more than what I deserve”… now…the main part..” Can I have my phone back....pleaasee... all my accounts are open in there…. :( ”.
 

And then..nearing the end of the steps to the paved road.... you spot something ...black  incolour,rectanglular in shape.... lying face down. Is that it ?

Yes..yes..yes…that was my phone !!! Right there, in the middle of the road....cover open, screen down.

Picks it up, turns around..the screen is blank. Swipes and to the greatest relief ..it was fine..perfectly fine. Not even a scratch. It had fallen off my hand, or from my lap..(i am not sure)... while getting down from the car. One car pass by and it could have been crushed.

(a borrowed image)

Anyways, from that day..my views on phone have changed. Can’t be taking these things lightly. You have less chances to lose your laptop, but more ..to lose your mobile. And they are “SMART” these days….so, have to be more cautious. To be on the safer side, log out of your accounts, after you are done. 
 

This is also my second in line (well...a testimony) experience that any prayer said after a thanksgiving from heart, will never go unheard. It works…for sure.  (the first ?..some time later.. J )

 

Accept these..and you are sure to enjoy Parenthood.

Came across this article  “23 Exceedingly Helpful Tips for maintaining Your Sanity While Livingwith Children”  by Chris Jordan, a mother to 7 and the sole owner and writer for 5 or 6 blogs !

Inspired by her, decided to come up with my own version of

 

“How to Successfully Survive living with numerous little Men at home”

(23 tips from Sona Mommie)

 

1. You start from your living room. Drooling over those fluffy fur rugs, soft white fabric cushioned couches, glass flower vases, open book shelves – the beautifully done interior deco concepts in IKEA ? Well, all that looks good in IKEA, stays in IKEA.

 

DO NOT attempt to bring it home. It’s just not meant to be yours…and, the concept of having a carpet below your dining table. Don’t ever think of that. ACCEPT IT.

When left alone for a moment.....

 that was when he was single...no brother's yet !

"Mission accomplished..over over"

2.       Car keys, house keys,  fry pans…missing ? You know where to dig in first.



3.       Kids missing ? You find them here.....

 

 

 In the laundry basket, waste basket (one great weakness), kitchen cabinet, the toy shelf, suitcases or even inside the wardrobe.

 They could be anywhere…except, where they are supposed to be.

4.       To the youngest one of the lot; your time starts now. The “ragging” begins from day 1.

Welcome to Planet Earth, lill one. We are gonna have some great time here.
 

5.       Mothers!! do not commit this grave mistake of using lip-liners or eye brow pencils in front of your kids. It makes no difference to any other pen/pencil, what so ever, to them. 

Powder, creams..are also a BIG NO, in front of kids.

They too will imitate. ..in exaggerated proportions. MIND IT.

6.       The family portrait will have too many versions.

 





 

But, does it really matter if your hands originate from your cheeks and your figure is reduced to a face and legs alone. You just don’t care….and say! Very goood !! This is soo beautiful..your father looks soo handsome ! (the above image is of us 5..and the youngest one is just in his formation stage. No hand and feet yet!)

7.       Teach your elder ones to baby-sit and of course, breathing techniques too.

 

It needs lots of patience.

 

8.       Sticker papers….tear it into bits and stick it all over him.... on one hand and ask him to transfer the entire batch to the other. A tried and tested means to keep a terriblt bored 3 year old enterntained .

Moving his face from this...to...this....



  Mommie just won herself some free minutes to herself !!!  Bingoo !

9.       You believe hand bags are just meant to be holding the purse, id cards, make up kits ?? Not necessarily.

 



 



They would start off like that for a party..but..within minutes of reaching the venue, the shawls would have moved from around their necks to….

10.   Boys believe they are the best mechanics. Can repair anything and everything under sun..just that most of the time, it goes the other way round - from the perfectly working condition to never ever start equipment...humm...ACCEPT IT.



 

 

 

Vaccum cleaners are one of their favourite “guinea pig” to work with…and…wherever you hide the tool box, they WILL manage to pull it out, and do the repair works.

 

But like this !!! the cycle chain is "FIXED"





11.   Transformers – wear any costume, get a face paint…. and its an instant transformation to that character for the rest of the day.

 

 Well..that’s what they believe. ACCEPT IT.



 12.   Having too many kids doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to have a huge home and an even  bigger bedding space.

 

They will pile up.



13.   A good 40 % or more, of your day gets eaten up. ….. feeding the kids, that is. TRUTH.

14.   Food time (OMG!!!). Picky eaters but love eggs? Alright..mash up all that you can get hold off into the egg and make as omeletts !

 





that is one detailed separate post in my "quick picks" blog  – JUNK OMELETTE .

But if the reaction is...."yuck ! this omelette taste funny ! ", well..its time for some action. You put up that really disappointed face, as if you have learned this new revolutionary means of cooking egg from youtube just to be serving her children, and its something so new, that even the chef's at Sharavanabhavan haven't learnt how to make them. But their Mom just did ! Convince them, you are a superpower !!!

15.   Making pancakes, chapathi, dosa..whatever…go by doubles. Else, you are just not gonna get things done on time, especially during school days and you too need to leave for work.

Keep a pair of each – puttumaker, Appam and Dosa pans…especially your breakfast makers...and never insist that your pans should have it's handles in place. Most of the time..it wouldn't be there.

16.   They LOVE brooms.

 



 

ACCEPT IT.

17.   Need to try out some hair styling and they wouldn’t give in ?

 

Do it while in this position. ;)

18.   Don’t be surprised if your don’t find your kid in his bed where you laid him the previous night. They might wake up to go to the toilet, the mid-sleep walk might end just at the toilet door, do the needful ..pizzzz…onto the toilet floor (who bothers to walk up to the closet at midnight, anyways)..and walk back, but lose track and end up sleeping in the other room.

19.   Toys – don’t EVER ask me. I am not responsible.

20.   Mommies best hobbies –

 



 FORGET IT !  (in bold capitals !)

21.   Socks …in pairs….???? haa haaaaa

22. Convince them that you know the names of all the aliens of Mr. Ben Tennyson, and be proud to be crowned the "most awesome mom in the universe !" .



Make yourself the biggest fan of Shaun the sheep and George the monkey. They will love you for it. TAKE MY WORD.

 

23.   And..finally….you are about to wind up..a big day is coming to a close…and you just can’t survive without these two things –

 



A hot water bag and….TIGER BALM ….for your spine!

that again, in detail in my previous post here....  Two things to be really greatful to...

 

 

Now…having written this very much….i should also say, that a coin HAS…definitely HAS two sides.  However  hard or tough days can be at times..home, kids, career, other social commitments….yet…yet…ACCEPT IT, that you are indeed going through the best times of your lives.

They grow way too quick and these becomes the best memories of tomorrow. Something to look back and smile. Enjoy parenthood. Enjoy your kids, especially while they are young. Coz, today..ask them for a kiss…you get it..lots. Ask for a hug..you it it , tight. But tomorrow..you might not. Coz, they shy off. So, mommies make maximum use of your kids..and yes, exploit their innocence too, especially when foodings are involved. That too..you don’t get to do for long.

that's worth thinking - When Children are Loved....Parents have Peace !!!

 

Mommie to 3..and enjoying mother hood !

 

Thanks Lord...for today, my world is intact.

“The summer is HOT here?”……”Yes”

“The winter is cold?” ….”Yes”

“The months of weather change (cant use the term spring and autumn- they are more polished) are a mix of all – dust, rain, humidity, sand, at times hot, at times cold ?..and you definitely fall sick especially at this time of the year “ …….”Yes, very true”

..then..why in the world are you people ever complaining that Kuwait weather is soo soo unpredictable ???

 

….that was a portion from an article that I read in the newspaper sometime back (words not exactly the same..but the content is)..written by a British..on how his home country has drastically changed in the weather front…the rainy summers… how its soo grey almost year round…and why there is a bulk influx of Britishers to Australia in search of some proper summer sunshine.

The weather is getting bad..true…and so is the case everywhere..but, alteast..can’t we be just grateful to God that its manageable for us..atleast where we are right now.  

The first thing to catch my eye today morning was the images in the newspaper of the flattened terrain and the debris after the large, destructive tornado plowed its way through Moore, Oklahoma – May 20^th. Just a look at those images and can you really stop yourself from saying..”Thanks God..atleast we are still surviving, our kids are so pleacefully asleep.

 

Once I did wonder…God forbid, something bad happens..and how prepared are we to face it ? With the best conditions that you are together with your family, during crisis…and not separated…what would you make a dash for at the very first place? Kids, food ? passport ? medicines ? dress? I would just panic and go plain blank. Absolutely nothing would work.

 

Just a simple powercut which is very uncommon here (compared to Kerala, where it is very much apart of your daily routine) and you panic..where are the candles? You just don’t have any…except for the show candles which you have kept in your collection to be using just as a décor during get-togethers. And no match boxes or lighter either ! You never needed them anyways. The cooking range is on auto-ignition, and your husband doesn’t smoke (another BIG thanks God ! ;) ). The only time you think about a lighter is when its your kids birthday and you need to light the birthday candles. (Atleast the kids are more smart these days. They turn on the assistive light in the mobile phone).

 

The virulent mother nature fuming in wrat and using all its available forms – water, wind, earth… to take the sting out. .But..over what ?? Innocent lives ??

 

The calm sea turn to mammoth waves – the tsunamis

The cool breeze that lifts up that kite now morphs into gigantic destructive swirlwinds wiping out an entire county – the tornadoes….

You are having a cozy time watching your favourite TV show and the next moment, your roof is atop you. The earth has quaked.

US, Philipines, Australia, China, Bangladesh….the factory building collapsing…and if these are just not enough…the man-made “madness” is Syria.

 (she could just be you...that baby could just be yours..and you have nowhere to go)

It’s really disturbing how the newspapers highlight such painful pictures right on the front page, and even bigger sized images if they have small kids in there…lying mutilated covered in blood and mud. You humiliated a naked woman in front of her daughters..and we punish you by cutting you into chunks ! …. News featured last week about the common plights in Syria.

Really really disturbing..and the more disturbing these news are..the more again, you need to be thankful to God..for atleast today and now..you are safe…your family is safe..you have a home to go back to…and the roads are still there to take you back.

(this one...definitely scares me ! )

 

 (unlike my other posts which are always full of images..there are very few here. Don't want much disturbing pictures..there's enough and more out there in the papers, over the internet)