As we segued into the last quarter of 2020, I felt a shift in the air. The weather started cooling down, I started reaching for serums and jackets, and an overpowering desire to retreat (read: hibernate) engulfed me. Then – BAM! – Heatwave! We were awarded a sun-drenched week bang in the middle of September. With the sudden burst of sun came a sudden spike in Covid cases. The lurking ghost of a second wave landed on our doorstep like a guest we had hoped would never arrive, clutching a tall glass of pumpkin latte. You did know I was coming back, right?
Reboot, Refresh, Renew – For A Second Wave
September, with its ‘back to school’ vibe, ushers in the promise of new beginnings. This year, that vibe was lost for some (uni students had to contend with virtual lessons), multiplied for others (children in England returned to school for the first time since March). Parents gained back a few metaphorical inches as the heavy weight of covid and childcare lightened from their buckled shoulders. Some chose to keep their kids at home and continued to home-school. There really was no right or wrong decision – every family did what felt right for them.
After the al-fresco summer life, during which the British government encouraged us to eat out, go on holiday, send our kids to school and return to office, the second wave was perhaps inevitable. But the reality of it was still hard to digest, as were the return of covid restrictions. From mid month, gatherings of more than 6 people were banned in England. Murmurs of a cancelled Christmas started doing the rounds. Testing, while they had been massively improved, still struggled to meet the demands. On 29th September, the world witnessed its millionth officially recorded Covid death. The true figure of course is much higher.
Lockdown Déjà Vu
At the beginning of the month, I made some promises to myself. I decided I no longer wanted to remain squashed in a state of waiting – for a vaccine, for a miracle, for a crystal ball that could give us SOME clue as to how the future will pan out. There was lockdown, then there was post-lockdown and at some point we entered our ‘new normal’ with its ever-shifting rules. Time passed us by like a far away cloud – visible but hardly within reach. I wanted to change that numb, trance like state of mind. I wanted to take back the reigns of this tumultuous year and gallop towards the finish line with intention.
For a while, I basked in that new found sense of purpose. August had lulled me into a fall sense of normalcy and I stayed in that zone for as long as I could afford. Before the the news started steering us towards the possibility of another hard lockdown, shattering my illusions.
It was like déjà vu. We were back to tuning into briefings from Boris, navigating new restrictions and re-evaluating how the rest of the year might look like. How bad will things get before it got better again? We knew the answer was probably another 6 months. As I grappled with the gravity of that realisation, I came across the following thread that helped me cope:
View this post on Instagram
Currently Reading
View this post on Instagram
Toddler Update
Johnny Johnny
Yes Papa
Eating sugar?
No Papa
Telling lies?
No Papa
Open your eyes
Tukki!
This was Aryan’s favourite nursery rhyme in September, which he gleefully modified in as many ways as his budding brain saw fit.
Ary’s daycare teachers have nudged us to start potty training him. One day I caught him sitting on a plant pot treating it as a commode and I realised that the ball had already started rolling. He has clearly been picking up cues from his friends. He was excited when his new potty arrived, prompting a few ‘accidents’. We are yet to start the official journey but for now Ary is warming up to the idea and I take that as a good sign?
‘Superhero to the rescue!’ is his new favourite phrase. He is obsessed with tracing his cars/trains/lego men across the perimeter of our bed and couch like a race track. We are invited to join him on these little adventures, as long as we stick to his rules.
He has found a new hobby as a passionate furniture climber, using chairs to reach for the chocolate we have stashed away in the pantry, aided and abetted by his growing limbs. On one such expedition, he tripped over his toys and chipped his front tooth. I carried the little chipped piece in a pot of milk on our way to the emergency dentist appointment, in hopes that it could be reattached. He refused to open his mouth so there really was no chance! I am hoping this is just a cosmetic issue that will go away once his adult tooth emerges. For now, he has very gappy frontal teeth that adds more mischeif to his cheeky little face.
Recipe on Repeat
Thanks to an unusual year of staying home and spending more time in the kitchen than should be legally allowed, I have made some bold steps in my baking pursuits, a hitherto untapped passion of mine. My current obsession is a Strawberry Loaf recipe, thanks to the lovely @mariumhosein who introuced me to it. I cant have enough of this comforting bake!
View this post on Instagram
Anti-Racism Accountability
This month, I have to thank this space for reminding me to stay committed to my anti-racism journey. I bought two books for Ary :All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Dream Big, Little Leader by Vashti Harrison. If you are looking to diversify your children’s bookshelf, check out the post below for some fantastic options for all age groups.
View this post on Instagram
Whats coming?
Cooler temperatures, shorter days and heaters cranked up high! We have all become desensitised to time so I am excited for the most visually transforming season of the year to remind us that life goes on, pandemic or not. I am craving for nostalgia and hygge vibes – think cosy knitwear, big coats and knee-high boots.
Yes, the restrictions have been tightened again and yes, flu, cold and coronavirus are like identical triplets that will play cruel sibling tricks on us this winter – but the rest of they year need not be all doom and gloom. We know a lot more about how to control the spread of the virus and treat it. There IS hope. Even if you have to dig a little deeper to find it some days. Stay warm and vigilant!
❤❤❤
❤
Ah the writing and the thoughts: always a good start to the morning.
Ah such a wonderful read, as always. I’ve been waiting for this digest. Loved your analogy of the flu, clod abs covid with triplets! ❤️❤️
I’m at a difficult point in my life, a point where I don’t know when I’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel. Reading through this especially about Ary’s updates put a smile on my face and also oddly made me feel emotional too. Amanah (my toddler) also chipped her front tooth, it was interesting to see that it’s a rather common occurrence as I read of atleast three such incidents (including yours) after Amanah chipped hers! I find it rather adorable now haha. Thank you for taking the time to write this, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you write so well. You have a knack to make people from all walks of life relate to the words you write. I hope to write as well as you one day. Lots of love to you.