25 years ago............

This is different. I am enjoying it. It is different in that when 25 years ago, we tried to shop, we just couldnt make ends meet- either what we were looking for was beyond reach; or what was available as not what we were looking for- there seemed no meeting point of our desires and our means. And to top it all, more than one opinion had to be respected- so we ended up buying blue when I liked yellow, and steel when I could have done better with teflon! Yes, that was the time we had gotten married and were setting up house with our early earnings and lots and lots of opinions and guidance. Did we have a mind of our own? Yes, we did, but we dared not use it any more than absolutely necessary!

Not so, this time. Though we are again setting up house, this is different. We have just walked into another country, actually drifted into another country with approx 700 kgs of belongings, which include clothes, exactly 12 covers for meals, three nonstick frying pans and two pressure cookers! And some decorative crystal and brassware tops the list. Yes, agreed, clothes make the bulk of the consignment, but then thats our passion!

So, as you have guessed, we are spending our weekends exploring the malls and supermarkets here - the pleasure of buying pots and pans and most of all, well designed boxes(be it the super quality tupperware, or the run of the mill polysets), defies description! There is the added advantage of enhanced money in hand as compared to 25 years ago- so decision making is largely dependent on what we like- not how much it will cost! And there is a wider choice available, as compared to 25 years ago- lots more to choose from..... my husband and I sit and think about the satisfaction of reviewing the first lap or segment of our life together- the phase during which we had the children, they grew up, went to school, went into professional college, and now are following their respective careers- during this entire two decades, all I asked for, was direction which would lead us all to our respective goals.

So this is the next lap - where we start with buying pots and pans and other better things for the house in which just the two of us will live- children will be frequent visitors and will now set up their own homes- and we will visit them sometimes. When we set up house 25 years ago, we set it up thinking about the time we will have the children.....

I love this "next lap" coz it takes us back 25 years and makes us feel all fresh and ready to start again! And makes us feel as if the first day of those 25 years was just yesterday!