Like a homecoming!

 Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory ~ Dr. Seuss

The pandemic, for sure, made us all realise that memories are priceless and so is freedom.

That particular evening spent with your family, over a dinner at your favourite restaurant. Cracking jokes, enjoying the sumptuous delicacies, These are the best crystal prawns on earth ya! This dessert here is just so amazing....such small things adding to your treasure trove of been here done that. Suddenly all this came to a halt. Our prerogative of manoeuvring around was confined within the walls of house, cooking day in and day out for the entire family without a break and craving for that dessert at that restaurant for days.

That brunch, the pot luck, at your friend's abode, with your gang. Tu kaise banati hai pancakes? Icecream mei CMC dalti hai kya? .....Sharing recipes of yummy menu prepared, over heartfelt laughters, gossips, chatting, venting out, group hugs and so much fun together. The time spent, carefree, calm, fruitful just vanished into thin air, leaving us longing for that tight embrace from friends.

That walk through the park, with your better half. Children playing cricket, football, running hither-thither without anyone to stop them. Toddlers swinging, sliding, jumping, swaying everywhere. All smiles scattered on faces unmasked. Brightening our countenance, augmenting the glow.....all this instantaneously paused, like someone had pushed the pause button on the remote. Everyone's faces were masked, all of a sudden, not knowing what to read of them! Social distancing became a way of life...the new normal...but Man is a social animal...so how does it work?

Then riding on the waves, first, second, a mini third, a gradient somewhat, and fighting for our lives, however we all could, we sustained.

And I received the letter from my kids' school saying School commences full-fledged starting next week. I rejoice, literally jumping in the kitchen, stirring the dal with enthusiasm. Finally, life's on track.

Offices opened, the colleagues well dressed with crisp shirts, pants, dresses, marooning the gloom of WFH, highfiving, celebrating the much awaited Reunion with their desks, their spaces, their colleagues. Travelling by buses, trains, meeting their fellows after months of separation.....delighted by the Reunion!

My kids dressed up in their uniforms, those uniforms which were hanging in the wardrobes pointlessly, wanting to be out..... on the playgrounds, playing football, basketball, climbing the staircases to reach the classrooms asap, racing to the canteen, endlessly chatting on the school bus, sharing chocolates and cakes and chips, standing in the assembly to recite the National anthem, together with hundreds of other students dressed in their uniforms, eager to reconnect....rejoicing the Reunion!

Yay! let's meet....I hung up my phone and dive into that dress I had bought for the girl's day out, year ago. Styling my hair, leaving the tresses free, free from the srunchies, the clips and oh-so-fedup high buns. Now that it's unveiling time, putting on some lip colour, blush, eyeshadow, which was all lying literally in shadows, deep, somewhere, lost into the chest of dressing table. I reunite with my long lost things, happily dressing up for my Reunion with friends.

Those tight hugs without masks, inhibitions and doubts are the best. Reunions are a source of elation to one and all....as it's said...

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come ~ William Shakespeare. 

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