My Narrative Is Mine to Build

 

Ira drew this for her art class. A tree with roots of her imagination. Quite sums up what I feel these days. 

You are not in my shoes

You don't know my struggles

You are not in my space

You don't know my woes

My battles are my own

My shackles are mine to break

My thoughts are mine to temper

My narrative is mine to build

Some moments are difficult to comprehend

Some fears are difficult to rationalise

Some hopes are difficult to foresee

Some roads are difficult to navigate

I find solace in the quiet

I find rhythm in the solitude

I find answers as I look within

I find kindness as I let go

No puzzle, just a state of mind

No destination, just a journey to find

No judgement, just be kind

No story, just time left behind

#ExistentialThoughts #LovePoetry #MTrails #ArtByIra #IraLovesArt #Ira #Iraisms #IraAtSeven #StoriesAtSeven 

Today I choose JOY

 A beautiful Tuesday. 

For posterity, this is a post I put up on FB today. 

For years, she called him Joi.

Her confidant, her friend, a big part of her little world. They fight like crazy, listen to similar music and are team mates when we all play a group board game! She will get annoyed with him but you utter a word against him and she will defend him like a rock.

She doesn't call him Uncle or Mama, just 'Joy'. Imagine the happiness when we found this tee at one of her fave stores. Of course, she had to wear it when she met him and take a pic.

Also, today she has been reading Chamber of Secrets since morning, constantly! She sent him this pic. Do note the book mark. She keeps it horizontal to remember the line where she is <3

And incidentally, both their names have a common meaning! :)

#IraAndJoy #Ira #Iraisms #IraAtSeven #StoriesAtSeven #Fun #Happiness #Joy

Happy 75th Independence Day! Conversations and art, the Pramadh way

India celebrates its 75th Independence Day today. 

                        Pramadhs Create Art

As we spoke of freedom and the importance of today, I asked Ira what does freedom mean to her? What does it mean for people to be free? 

Ira: What I think freedom or free means to be in my opinion means that a person, it could be a male or  a female or  a boy or  a girl wants to do whatever they feel like. 

Mamma: And what is it that they would like to do? 

Ira: Anything that makes them happy or is good for their country

Mamma: What would you like to do as  a free person? 

Ira: I would follow my dream and just be who I want to be and not let people push me around saying like you know,  you have to be this! 

Mamma: So, today is what? 

Ira: Independence Day

Mamma: What do you want to tell India? 

Ira: I want to tell India, "Happy Birthday India".

While Ira understands that we can love whoever we want, she is yet to comprehend the gender spectrum completely. But she is sure that everyone should have the freedom to do what they want. 

We three together worked on  a simple piece of art today. The hands (no political representation) here are an ode to the hands that grow our food, that feed us, that fought for the freedom, that works to keep us United, that strives to keep us safe; hands that teach us, hands that create, hands that write our stories and hands that hold our hands. Every hand tells a story, in all colours and hues. 

Our dear friend Dolly Koshy posted her thoughts today and it resonates with us completely. Here is what she says,  

"Indian at heart; global foodie

Independence Day Breakfast.

On this  independence day let's keep in mind that what we eat or who we love or what faith we follow or don't follow doesn't determine how much we love our country. 

Let's try to be independent from the shackles of our mind.

True freedom is to value not only our own independence, but also respect others’ choices. 

Let's have freedom from fear, violence and discrimination. Let's have freedom to question those in power and our elders.

#IndiaIndependenceDay #freedom "

So, also sharing our plates of happiness and gratitude today. Our way to share our love for our country. 

Sweet Potato Parathas with Mango pickle, Curd and Chutney Pudi

Rice, Masoor dal, Banana Stem fry, Salad, Roopchand Fish fry and Fish Curry

Like Ira says, Happy Birthday India! 

#75IndiaIndependenceDay #India #Indians #Ira #Pramadhs #Iraisms #IraAtSeven #StoriesAtSeven #Happiness #Gratitude #Love #Freedom #ConversationsWithIra #PramadhsCreateArt #ValueFreedom #RespectChoices 

Dadu Baari and all things fun, the Ira way

Last month, Ira went and stayed at her Dadu's home for a weekend. 

It is her place of unlimited fun, pampering and do as you like moments. 

From showing off her new acquired acting skills, to telling them about her new school, drawing random things to teaching Joy how to play slime. Spending time lazing around and watching an animated movie with Joy. 

Fun with her Partner in Crime

Every meal has her favourite be the alu chochori (alu sabji with kalonji) with chapati, fish curry made by Dida or chicken curry made by Dadu. She declares that Dida makes the best alu chochori and Dadu makes the best chicken curry, just the way she likes it. 

Before she went, she even emailed Dadu and Joy to tell them how excited she was and sent an animated card made on Canva. 

The two days went in a jiffy and our girl was back home,  only to ask when is she going back again. 

Given the pandemic, even going to Dadu Baari has been a privilege and a blessing. 

Archiving every moment like this, because in life, memories are one of the best things we have. 

#Ira #Iraisms #IraAtSeven #StoriesAtSeven #GrandParents #DaduBaari #DaduAndDida #IraAndJoy #Happiness #Gratitude #Love 

A letter from 2 best friends to our little girl, the Pramadh way

 

Dearest Ira, 

We are your parents 

We will always be your friend too

The friend with whom you can share

All the fun things

All the happy moments

All the crazy adventures

All the heartbreak tears

All the fears and apprehensions

All the dreams and aspirations

All the cool and boring things

All times mundane and magical

The friend who will

Be the wind beneath your wings

Walk by your side in the storms

Push you to strive harder

Hold you when you stumble

Be the Devils advocate and your strongest ally

Hug you whenever

Love you forever

We are your parents

We also will always be your friend

You will travel the world 

You will make many more friends

And in your parents, in 'Us', 

You will always find a friend. 

Happy Friendships Day! 

Lots of love, 

Papa and Mamma

#Ira #Iraisms #IraAtSeven #StoriesAtSeven #LittleHumanBeings #Pramadhs #Parenting #Happiness #Gratitude #HappyFriendshipDay #BestFriends  #Love