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My Virtual Village


Krupya dhyaan se suniye: 


The decision to move to a different country was ours 

The decision to have kids was ours

The decision to raise kids during a global pandemic and its aftermath in a faraway place was NOT ours  


So when gyaan is given about how I need to “adjust” in response to me sharing difficult moments of raising a young family with zero support it makes me want to sing “Aata maajhi satakli” on a loudspeaker. On loop. In a nasal voice. Preferably that of Suneil Shetty. 


In moments like these, Wait! let me rephrase that. At all moments, especially such dimag ki dahi ones, I reach out to my virtual village consisting of my parents based in India and my best friend in the US. Since I’m in the UK I have virtual support for all my waking hours. How blessed am I?! 


It’s amazing how my kids (Little R, 4y and Baby R, nearly 2y) have also started relying on my most favourite people albeit virtually. Every morning, Baby R will want to begin his day by saying good morning to his grandparents and Little R will want to say hello to them after school. The conversations are very random but there’s lots of bonding and laughter that ensues. 

 . 


One particular incident will remain etched in my memory forever. It had been a long day with both boys having snotty colds, not eating well etc. I had just given them a bath and was preparing their food when I heard Baby R retch. I immediately rushed to pick him up and was soon covered in puke. I couldn’t help but notice the song playing on the radio at that very moment- Love you zindagi! The bloody irony!


So! I got him cleaned and changed but the task of cleaning the mess on the floor and on me remained. I had to change my clothes too! I desperately video called my mom and she somehow managed to keep Baby R and Little R calm whilst I went about restoring what looked like a shoddy crime scene. 


My mom will also patiently give me live step by step instructions when I am attempting to cook a particularly tricky recipe. My parents also remind me about my doctors appointments and so on. I know I am beginning to give you Shravan Kumar vibes but it is what it is! 

 

My best friend is my go to person for every thing. I am certain we were separated at the Kumbh Mela or more realistically at Bombay Chowpatty! Jokes apart, I am super grateful for her presence in my life. From sending me surprise presents, sharing life hacks, to giving me serious life advice she is the other half of my amazing virtual village. My boys call her Maasi and rightly so. 


I can’t wait to meet my virtual village in reality. I want my boys to understand that they are actual people not talking screens. Can you imagine the possibility of Baby R searching for an end call button on their face when he physically meets them? Yikes! Gotta make that meeting happen real soon 😅

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