It is 9 pm, a boarding school in Mussoorie, with a Christian Anglo-Indian spinster Ms David as our headmistress. It is late November I think and it is snowing outside. Were all deep in bed and then Miss David arrives like an enthu storm. Removing our quilts one by one and telling us loudly It is snowing, it is snowing. Everybody out to play. Some girls moan and groan saying its cold or we have class tomorrow morning. Miss David says, the railways runs the whole school, but I run the girls school. All those who dont go out to play tonight, will have to be in class tomorrow, for the others its a holiday. I am already out and crack up thinking we have a mad headmistress. We stay out late into the early hours of the morning, playing with our snowman and return laughing and exhausted to our beds. Once a week we even have compulsory post dinner-dancing on our floors, if I remember correctly. When I return to Delhi after a few years, I cant fully comprehend the sniggers that single people get in families or anywhere often. For my first memory of a single woman, is of a mad, fun woman who knew how to be with the kids, create joy with the seasons. My soft spot for Anglo Indians comes from her and a gentlemanly sports coach who went by the name of Mister Swing! It is Miss David who also teaches us later that Christmas means nothing if we havent given something away with a spirit of sharing towards those less fortunate than us in those moments, with a light heart. The seasons first snowfall is a memory which comes back to me, when I want to be in it. So do the lessons of fun, learning seamless sharing. It has been so wonderful to see so many photos on FB today of warm sharing without a thought of who is Hindu, who is Christian, hearing of relaxed multi generational bonding over stockings and Santa and at least one friend is probably ready to pass out with wine after hosting an elaborate lunch, Isnt this the India we all know and love too? Where festivals while being buy,eat, loaf are also share, spend time. bond and Christmas eases into the New Year. Human warmth! Gratitude! Joy! Merry good, merry good!
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 11:09:23 +0000
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