It was difficult. I kept sweating and wiping. One of my nephews, who is known to take good care of elders, kept giving me water and electrolytes at frequent intervals. All my nephews and nieces are great in this respect.

Function over, after negotiating the steps and ramps, the group reached the hotel. Why not have dinner first and then go to the room? We did. My nephew, who was celebrating the function, had taken great care in having the air-conditioned dining room booked for our family’s use. As we entered the dining hall, relief flooded in. Instantly, the body got what it needed rather than desired, and balance returned.

After the travel, heat, and strain, and of course the enjoyment too, the food was so appealing. And it was delicious. After filling our stomachs and relaxing our bodies in the air-conditioned comfort, we returned to our room.

Within a few minutes, a few of the family members, especially those staying in nearby rooms, started trickling into our room, mostly to chit-chat and inquire about our well-being. One of our great-grand-nephews was brought to our room by his parents. A small baby, just two months old, had traveled by car from Bangalore and withstood the heat and sleeping. So nice, comforting, and joyful to look at. In due course, the room was filled with more relatives. And all of us had a wonderful time with small talk and updates. This is the beauty of a family gathering. Whatever the strain, stress, discomfort, or difficulty, people are there to take care, and everything is forgotten when the group gathers and enjoys. The conversations raced along for quite some time before all of us decided to wish good night and retire. I do not know if this is my own perception, but the air conditioner always seems to be sympathetic to the outside temperature. Though my sleep was a disturbed one, I did get adequate rest and felt fresh as a just bloomed rose and fit as a fiddle in the morning, more ready to face the heat and sweat and enjoy the rest of the function.

Continued in 285. Cookies In the Hall - Part 4