Everyday Moments (#SOL – 2019)

I believe that the moments in each day make our life what it is. Of course, the unexpected always happens and whatever preparations we make, Life surprises us. Many a time, we think that nothing happens in our life, but things do happen. I started writing to my Doddamma, my father’s elder brother’s wife in October 2017. She is 88 and is not able to hear properly. I post my letter to her every Tuesday. Both of us enjoy the letters. These letters have made it possible for me to appreciate the ordinary moments of life. I edit the letters and post them as Slice of Life every Tuesday.

30-04-19

On the 28th and 29th we attended a wedding in our family. My mother’s younger sister is married to my husband’s cousin. It was her son’s wedding and for us it was a double treat 😊. My mother is the eldest of ten children and many of my cousins are younger to my children. It was so in those days. We cannot even imagine such a situation these days.

We left home at 7 on the 28th morning. My husband’s cousin and his wife came with us. We were at the wedding hall at 9. The bridegroom and all the relatives had just come. The bride’s side welcomed us. The wedding muhuruta (auspicious time) was at 11.30. The younger generation of our family have started their own traditions which have add fun to all the proceedings. It is customary for the bride’s family to welcome the bridegroom’s family with certain rituals. But this time there was added colour. My cousin and friends came till the entrance in am open jeep with music and dance. We all enjoyed it.

Most of our relatives had come. After lunch we all went to our village. My father-in-law did not attend, it would have been very tiring for him. According to our custom, the wedding is hosted by the bride’s family. The same evening and the next day certain rituals are performed to welcome the bride to her new family, she becomes the member of the family. On the 28th evening the bride and bridegroom were welcomed to the ancestral home.

On the 29th there were certain rituals performed in the hall of the village temple. In earlier days wedding and related rituals were performed in homes, but now it is usually in wedding halls.

( my mother blessing the couple)

My brother, sister-in-law and my mother had come. My mother came with us and will be with us till September. We reached home at 6.30. It was nice to meet so many of our relatives. These days we are not able to visit each other. Most often meet our relatives personally at such functions. Most people are in contact through WhatsApp. Life has changed a lot. And we change along with life.

(with my father-in-law)

A good marriage is one which allows for change and growth in the individuals and in the way they express their love.
Pearl Buck