The Journey from not my Cup of Tea to the Cup of Life.
It all started when I saw my Mother in Law waking up every morning at 7 am as a ritual to make Bed Tea for everyone at home. Just as the routine sounded 7 a.m shed, bring the water to boil, put some freshly grated Ginger while the aromatic water is ready to have its own poetry with Tea leafs and some sugar; the entire house would smell of fresh ginger Tea. Looking at them sip it in silence like monks meditating, I wanted to experience the same joy for the very first time.
So this is a story of how a girl who wasn't too fond of "Ek garam chai ki pyali" turned into someone who lives on it.
As a child during my growing years I never saw my parents having too much of Tea or Coffee that could influence me having some too and which also led me to think twice on peoples habit of having bed Tea, evening Tea or Tea post dinner. So with the mind full of doubts and in a constant dilemma that I was in; all I did for years was to refuse having it for reasons unknown.
I could sometimes wonder what is so great about Tea/Coffee? When we know that excess consumption of Tea may hinder absorption of essential nutrients like iron by the body. We still want to have it everyday or perhaps sometimes twice a day? Well, little did I know or could argue on that point until I got introduced to its magic.
The following episode happened a year after I got married, when one fine morning I saw my husband sulking upon how he felt an absence for a partner to share his tea with. For someone who has witnessed his parents sharing a bed tea moment ever since he was a child, its hard to come with terms when the fact is that his own wife just doesn't know the whole idea of waking up next to a hot cuppa tea.
Fantastic, now he was sad and I was stressed. I needed to relax and get him relaxed. I needed to zen. I could offer him an empathetic hug, but that would be like not caring about his feelings.
Do you mind if I take a sip from yours instead? I blurted out. And for the next twenty minutes, we didn't say much and the deep silence did its work. Right after that day, for the next couple of weeks I continued having sips from his tea and he continued looking at me with an over joyed husband.
Wait, was it a trap? He wanted me to start having tea and that's why he acted that way? Well Well, whatever it was, one thing was there for sure - It was working! I actually was enjoying those small sips from his cup. And, that day wasn't too far when my hands were holding my very first, my very own cup of tea. Sitting along with everyone else holding a cuppa it felt like a new Lama is in making :)
By the way, my husband still feels it took a village for me to start enjoying Tea.
Present Day- Chai and some more Chai please....?
Now that I finally started enjoying Tea, it became like a ritual. It felt like a million little moments to yourself that help you get through the day. It slows you down and gives you perspective. Tea for me became patience, like meditation. (My husband throws a witty smile at me as I write this).
Elements to my Cup of Life
Now, taking about how would you like your tea to be..? Isn't this the most common question asked at every household? While I would never hesitate to say, 'Aunty, kam dudh ki chai'. Yes I call it an actual cup of tea because I like it that way! Not debating on Dudh walli chai vs kaali chai (as some may call it) so, no offence! (Smile please)
4 years and hundreds of cups of Chai have passed since that day but to me, the comfort and well-being a cup of tea provides hasn’t changed. I hope it never does.
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