I couldn’t help, my eyes becoming watery as I sat in front seat of car.
My aai – mom was on the backseat. I managed to hide it from her. I know this feeling,sometimes when I’m happy or sad but can’t express it, I feel a heaviness in my chest, my neck, and my eyes start to water. But this time, I was happy. I had the chance to visit my Kuldevta temples, Rameshwar and Dirbha Devi, after four long years. It was such an amazing experience! These spiritual places are so powerful.
Before Covid situation, I used to visit these mandirs every year. They say ,if you don’t visit your Kuladevta temples, they start calling you. It’s like a special connection.
I had a wonderful time spending 10 days in Kokan with my parents.
Here’s how it went. Every day, my Aai would come to me and share something funny or things she dont like about my Baba. How he makes her life miserable by demanding tea 7 times a day. I would take my aai’s side and support her.
Then my baba would tell me something about her..like..how she does not allow him to climb mango trees..how she does not cook his favourite dishes… and I would take his side. And if, by chance, I ended up unlucky, they would both reunite and take my case. Tease me together. It was all in good fun and we laughed like anything. I now realised, I can not compete them in this game. So complete surrender here…haha
My parents have a beautiful relationship. They care, love each other so much. Their way of love is different. They don’t show it by words but by actions.
I haven’t met anyone as fearless as Baba. If you ask to ask him to go in jungle alone in midnight, he can do this.
Baba worships Shiva. Every Monday he keeps fast, does puja which lasts for 4 hours. He has been doing it since he was young. Aai doesn’t follow these rituals, but she has her own fixed prayer timings in the morning and late evening.
During the ten-day trip, apart from few hours of work, I did nothing. I was fully present there.
During our time in Kokan, my parents were always busy with various tasks throughout the day. Seeing them occupied, I asked them to give me something to do. Initially, for the first two days, they insisted that I should just relax and enjoy.
However, on the third day, seeing their busyness, I said ‘Givvvvvvve meeeeee someeee workkkk. Let me help you.’ In response, aai went to the kitchen and returned with a small onion, asking me to chop it. Yes, just one small onion. That became my task for the day.
This incident was just a small example of how my parents are. They never let me feel any pressure or burden if there is any. I love them so much.
Because my parents don’t always share their feelings with me, I make it a point to check in with them every day. I ask them questions to understand their state of mind.
As long as they are happy, I dont care. I dont interrupt. Seeing them happy makes me happy. I am ok to be not part of it. However, if I sense that something is wrong, it affects me. I understand the importance of maintaining a certain level of detachment, and I’m actively working on achieving it.
During this trip, I dedicated my time and attention to listening to my parents. As they grow older, they tend to repeat the same stories—stories of their youth, their accomplishments, their friends (both those who are still with us and those they have lost), and their regrets about what could have been. It’s a natural part of human nature .
As their ability to create new experiences decreases, they repeat.
But what can I do in this situation?
I can lend them my ears, listening attentively to their stories, even if I’ve heard them before. I maintain the same curiosity and enthusiasm as if it were the first time. I laugh along with them at the same old jokes and cherish the moments. I even wear my aai’s old sarees, connecting with her and honoring her traditions.
I deliberately seek their advice on small matters, making them feel valued and respected.
While visiting Rameshwar temple, I asked my aai which saree I should wear, and she took out ten of them, suggesting I try them all. God was busy that time and could not saved me. Not ten but I tried 2 🙂
I ask baba how to take care of my plants.. Next one hour, I just listen. Their adivese in small big things.
We have a choice to do our way, but this make them feel special.
Aai teaches me about kindness and having fun. Baba teaches me how to be fearless, active, and strong. Together, they teach me about love, be humble, and spirituality.
Now my phone is full of aai baba’s candid pictures. Taught my aai how to click my pictures, I think she has done a good job.
Today’s post is dedicated to my parents. As our parents reach this stage of life, our love, time, and attention are the most precious gifts we can give them.
Is this post boring? Relatable?
If you’ve made it this far, then you are my favourite 🙂 Thank you for your time.
Do you remember 68 mangos? that one tree in front of our home has 68 mangos? Before heading to Kokan, my parents had visualized stuffing all 68 mangoes into my stomach, and somehow they succeeded! Right now, the guest room in Mumbai smells like mangos and looks like mangos. Mangos are everywhere! These are Hapus mangoes from Baba’s trees, his love. I wish I could share his mangoes, his love, with all of you.
Now, a new one-month online yoga batch is starting tomorrow. If you wish to join, the link is available in bio of this profile.
That’s all for today. Take great care of yourself. Jump, read, travel, work, dance, sing, do yoga, meditation , exercise —do whatever it takes to make yourself happy. Get on that high-fly frequency of happiness, love, and fun.
Stay blessed.
Much love,
Arati
❤️
