Reflections

Looking at the old mirror and trying to recollect how I looked in it 20 years ago. Looking around me and trying to see what I saw there 20 years ago...

A summer ritual for my parents is to visit either Polali or Kateel temples and Rishi has accompanied them for many years now. I went after a long time and we usually have lunch and return. I had forgotten that they have this separation of Brahmins from others for food and male members are to remove their upper-body clothing, which will show the sacred thread. Now, kids and I aren't Brahmins anymore but my parents don't want us to be separated so my mother took us along and it was a difficult feeling. The last thing I wanted was someone asking Rishi where his thread was and making a scene of it. I'd rather have my food outside in peace. Rishi doesn't like it too. I don't know if I would've given much thought to this Brahmin privilege if I wasn't in this predicament. I may have happily taken it for granted.

My mother was doing arati to the Gods in the morning and Anu watched the rotations for some time and asked her if she was hypnotizing the gods. I don't know if she was serious.