The way I look at festivities has changed so much over the years.

As a child, I absolutely loved them — the cooking (well, who am I kidding?), more like the feasting, the shopping, and the beautiful traditions we had at home. It was fun, exciting, and filled with joy.

Looking back, I realize it was my parents who made all that magic happen. Their effort, love, and energy turned every celebration into something truly special ❤️

Fast forward to my 20s and somehow, that festive spark dimmed. Suddenly, I wasn’t as excited anymore. All I wanted to do was laze around, eat, watch TV, eat some more, and laze again. I would grumble and whine whenever my mom asked me to help in the kitchen or clean the house. I didn’t want to do any of the work; I just wanted to feast and chill (how exciting… not!).

And then, fast forward again to my mid-30s , I’m a mother now. And something shifted. During the festive season, I find myself flooded with memories of those joyful moments from childhood , the smell of food wafting from the kitchen, the sound of laughter filling the house, the sight of lamps flickering softly in the evening. That same warmth and excitement have made their way back into my heart.

This time, I want to create that same magic for my kids …just like my parents did for my brother and me.

Calling friends and family over to feast on my cooking, decorating the house to reflect the occasion, lighting ghee lamps on Deepavali eve and again on Deepavali night (wow, who even is this? 😌)

Making sure the kids have new outfits, even if that means I might skip getting one for myself (self-proclaimed outfit repeater here).

Baking cookies , well at least to start somewhere!

All of this, just to build our own traditions… or maybe to continue the ones my parents so lovingly began.

Funny how I once (briefly) took it all for granted , and now I find myself doing everything I used to complain about and loving every bit of it (well most of it at least 🤭)

Its’s my turn now , to light the lamps , to fill the home with laughter and to pass on a little bit of that magic ✨

Thank you Papa & Amma for always loving and looking out for us ❤️