CELEBRATIONS!

I try to see every day as a celebration.

Maya Angelou

A text message from my childhood friend elicited?memories of me growing up in India. Her picture was her grandkids creating "Rangoli". Over the years, I had forgotten about this traditional art work.?

Rangoli?is an art form that originates from the?Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created on the floor or a tabletop using materials such as powdered limestone, red?ochre, dry?rice flour, coloured sand, quartz powder,?flower petals, and coloured rocks. It is an everyday practice in many Hindu households, however making it is mostly reserved for festivals and other important celebrations as it is time-consuming.

It is important to remember where you came from and celebrate it. This foundation helps you appreciate where you are now.

I was born in a small town called Daurala, near Meerut in India. My father worked as an Engineer at a Sugar mill. Our officers colony was a safe?haven?for all the kids growing there.

Every adult was addressed as Uncle and Aunty. I felt the whole of the colony was my extended family.?

During Diwali, we would visit all the friends' houses and were offered home made?sweets. The feeling was one?BIG family. Your religion did not matter. Ours was a Sikh household, but we were wishing and sharing the festivity of the? Diwali occasion.

I remember making "Rangoli" with petals, flowers and some spices and lentils from my Moms kitchen. It was a moment of pride to show off the creative design.?

I have been part of the United States of America for the last forty one plus years. My kids were born here. Slowly, the Halloween festival took over my celebrations. As a creative and involved parent, I remember, trying to find a new pattern for a home made costume for my kids. My hours of labor did produce some astonishing costumes. I did pass on many of those?to other young families.?

Since October, we have pumpkins everywhere. Carving and decorating Pumpkins became another family activity. Halloween and Pumpkins go hand in hand.?

Last year for one of our Tree planting ceremonies at the Wheaton City hall, our Special needs ambassadors for our B Jolly Foundation Jolly Foundation, painted small pumpkins?as a decoration around the tree.?

The leftover?pumpkins became a part of the landscaping decoration in my garden. The squirrels?feeding on the Pumpkins made me appreciate?the delicate cycle that is created in Nature. As the winter sets in and the food becomes scarce, the wild life gets nourshinments via these Pumpkins. Now I intentionally buy many sizes of Pumpkins and they are part of my Garden.

A surprise outcome of the Pumpkins?last year was the wine that started growing in the flower bed this year. The seeds left by the squirrels were completing the Cycle of growth. Free Pumpkins from my Kitchen Garden that were not planned or grown.

Looking at the Rangoli that was created by my friend's family, I was remiscening. Celebrations?are similar in expression. In India, kids are taught to create Rangoli and thus the tradition is passed on to the next generation.?

Here in the US, I was sharing with my kids the art of carving Pumpkins. I do recollect?as a young?mother in a new land, I had to read and learn about carving knives and different decoration options for the pumpkins.

I am planning to create a small Rangoli on Nov 1st. That is Diwali day and falls right after Halloween. I want my kids to see how, using everyday household items, beautiful art work?is created.?

I love any occasion where one can celebrate creativity.

Do you remember any specific celebrations?from your childhood?

Have you continued those traditions with your American family now?

I am wishing you and your family a bundle of Joy. Let's continue to adapt and adopt different traditions. It is all about CELEBRATIONS?and expression?of Love.