We are in the midst of the Pooja Festivals. Today is Maha Navami, the ninth lunar day of the holiday. As per Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga killed Chando and Mundo, two asuras (demons) at the confluence (Sandhi) of Maha Ashtami and Mahanavami. In Kolkata the holiday is both religious and secular.
Today we were very short on help. The big girls were invited out. So we made do. I did laundry. Many times in my life when stress was high, so much on my mind, doing laundry grounded me. There is something about the simple work of cleaning, the repetitive necessity of life, attending to the basics. Wash the clothes, spin dry, hang to dry, and fold….. appreciate that we have water, electricity, a washing machine, and sun in the garden…
I cleaned under the refrigerator. I don’t think this had been done for months even though we have a schedule. I just had a feeling it would be bad under there. I bought a refrigerator with wheels so I could move it easily. I vacuumed with my little hand held that I use mostly for around computer wires. I poured detergent and scrubbed with a green ScotchBrite pad. Then I cleaned the freezer, and then the refrigerator doors. Feeling really inspired I cleaned the doors of the steel pantry, and then went after the shelves where water bottles and pitchers are kept. I filled a garbage can with stuff to go out.
Pearl, our house supervisor was here and pitched in. I called Gibi and told her we were without help and she came. Between us, we really did fine. I bathed the little ones. I think for Bono, this was the highlight of her festival, that Mummy gave her a bath. She did not stop squealing with joy. I’m “special” to all of them so having me taking care of them really made their day.
I downloaded another iPad program to try with Rani, Bono, and Sonali. You had to get little circles together so the fish would eat them. It’s a math game but they loved following the action, and their touching the screen didn’t shut down the program. The iPads are a wonderful addition, partly because the programs are also fun for the teachers. I had fun, so the kids had fun with me. I did have to remind myself once to keep them in the game as I suddenly got too focused on winning.
Laundry, kitchen cleaning, and slaying dragons. All are necessary for our existence, and at different times we play different roles. For me as a woman, especially one who faces demons, the daily activity of taking care of children anchors me and gives me strength.
Tomorrow, on Dashami, we are all invited to a community lunch put on by a local club that has been very supportive. The girls will all pitch in, and we will all go, walking, in wheelchairs… our little family procession…
The lives of our girls are not simple, nor are they without scars, and wounds that are not yet healed. We try to live three steps ahead of demons within, looking for hope and light and promises we can believe.
Maa Durga has come to Earth with her four children, Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi, and Saraswati to visit her parents. She stays for four days to eradicate all evil from the earth before returning to her husband Lord Shiva at Kailash on Dashami.
As every woman knows, you must first do the laundry and clean the kitchen if good is to overcome evil in your home.
Recent Comments