What is your favorite thing in the house?

I was reading a parenting magazine and an article was talking about an essay contest where children wrote about the favorite item in their house. I saw my 4 year old running around the house and wondered what her favorite thing was. I asked her and after thinking for less than 5 seconds came the prompt reply - " You Amma, the favorite thing in this house is you!”. I was very flattered by the answer, but I felt it wasn't the right answer. I said -" Not person, you have to name your favorite thing".

She looked around the room and spotted a balloon and said - " My favorite thing is yellow balloon". Now I was disappointed, Of all the things, she decided that her favorite thing is a free balloon she got on that day at an event!

I roll my eyes and say - " Not the balloon, that is so temporary, you just got it today and you will play with it for couple of days and it will be gone forever. Think about something that you have played for a long time and you would really like to have it forever!"

Now she stops her dancing and I can see her brain working, after some thought, she replies confidently- "I think it is still you Amma, I love playing with you and I want to play with you forever. I told you, you are my favorite thing in the house" and she continued her dance leaving me like an idiot!

Of course! How true that everything in life is temporary and the most meaningful “things” in life may not be material things. Also, I love how you picked the balloon as your favorite thing when I pushed you because at that moment, it was truly your favorite. For someone who loves to preach "living in the moment" philosophy , I got a practical lesson from my wise four year old !

As the days went by, I started thinking about my favorite thing in the house. I did a walk through of the house to figure out what my favorite things are. The only items that come close to my favorites are couple of worn out tops from 20 years ago. I used to wear them all the time 15-20 years ago, now I revere them, wear it once or twice a year and pack them away safely. I really like them, but still I couldn't find that one thing that sparks that joy (I am not channeling Marie Kondo :) , the feeling of your heart just leaping with happiness at the sight, till I reached the basement of the house!

Our basement is still full of boxes from the move few months ago. But in there stands our freezer and I have my stash of favorite things there. I sound like a serial killer...but hear me out.

My parents visit me every year and go above and beyond what you would expect from parents of a grown woman. One of the things they do for me is to cook extra batches of food when they are visiting my house. This year while they were here, they would make 3-4 batches of curries for me every week. The idea behind is that - their hard working, super smart daughter (I added all these adjectives for a good measure :) has a pretty full and exciting life with work and family. Every week she deserves a special treat for herself, where she can slip to the basement, open the freezer, take out a bag neatly labelled with date in Appa’s handwriting and devour it without any planning or preparation.

I am very protective of these curries and do not share it readily. I love my husband but not enough to share these on a regular basis, if he wants curry, he can have my cooking :) I do not share it with you either as the curry is hotter than you like, at least that is my story for not sharing with you. I am very careful not to defrost more than one packet at a time as these have to last me till next spring when my parents will visit me again! Occasionally, I share with friends, but on a very limited basis. Recently when we lost power after a storm, Baba asked if we need to turn on the generator. My first thought was not whether we need the generator for hot water or concern about the food in the fridge, my first response was - “Yes, I need the generator for the freezer in the basement”. Priorities, priorities...

As I heat up the curry, the house smells exactly as if my parents are in my kitchen and I feel a stab of sadness in missing them. It quickly gives way to beautiful memories of my father’s boisterous laughter, my lovely mother chopping the ingredients and some silly joke we were laughing about while they were making the curry for me. My mood lifts and while it sits there getting defrosted in the kitchen island , my heart is full.

I am usually in the process of playing with you or giving you a bath or cooking more food while the curry is getting warmed up. As we set up the table, I am filled with the excitement and thrill of eating my parent's cooking. You would think that since I do this once a week, this ritual becomes normalized. It is quite the contrary, every week the emotions are stronger. As the weeks pass by, it has been longer since I have seen them but at the same time it also means I have fewer weeks till I see them next time! As I sit down to eat, one bite of roti and paneer curry transforms me to the little girl enjoying the present and I feel the TLC my parents have always showered me with!

So little one, yes! I do have a favorite thing in our house. Just like I am yours, mine are little packages of love from my parents. I sincerely hope that I will remain your favorite thing in our house for a very very long time to come!

Dear reader, what is your favorite thing in your house?