Another year, just like that....50+1

 Last year I welcomed my half century into this world in style. There was a party hosted by my TT group, another one organized by my local friends, special treat and flowers from another friend and then it got better with one of the best surprise gifts from my boys - a TT racket signed for me by none other than Jan Ove Waldner.  Having adored Waldner for ages, this surprise couldn't have come at a better age ;) 

I was happily drowning in all the love and attention. It was great and I had planned for the year.  Travel to see family and friends, attend some big sporting events, play more tournaments, read more and so on. It was a wonderful feeling.  All was well until it wasn't.  COVID arrived and stayed.  I first thought, it will hang around for 2-3 weeks and then it was still around after 2-3 months. It was in for a long haul. Sigh!! And so began the change. It wasn't all bad. I just had to refresh some some older habits. Shaking hands was out, Namaste was back.  Wearing the mask has additional benefits, other than just preventing the spread of COVID, it also promoted oral hygiene. No more fainting from your own or others bad breath.  Then there was a toilet paper shortage, so we ate less, to avoid frequent bathroom visits and saved the paper. 

Then I tried new recipes.  There were many mishits and few good hits, my boys tolerated and survived.  The frenzy was over sooner than expected and I am now back to familiar recipes. I was missing not playing TT, so started cleaning and shining the carpets and floors at home. I was on a roll, with a schedule. Then the year came to an end, I didn't have my new scheduler, I now do it on a roll over schedule. We started family walks and came across beautiful sights :)

In house traffic got busier. One way stairs often saw two way  traffic. We found all the hidden rooms and corners in the house, something we didn't achieve in a decade, suddenly was a piece of cake. Govi moved into the Pent House home office and Achyuta took the Prince's suite,  and I have the House. 

Physical Travel was out, Digital travel was in. Zoom, skype, WhatsApp  are our travel partners. Visiting in person is always the best option but given the circumstances, technology is very welcome.

Chatting and being able to see family is a lovely blessing and look forward to it.  This does not take away the fact that I would have loved to be fed and pampered, by my mom and in laws.   The year had an added bonus, I connected a little more and celebrated  many more friend's birthdays, online. These are celebrations, I might have missed, otherwise.  

I kept in touch with my senior center TT friends and members and knowing they are all well,  is wonderful. 

I wish this technology could also connect me with my missing parts - Gayathri and Damayanthi.  I know they send me their best from the other world. Miss you both.

While I wait to play TT again,  I practice Tennis with Table Tennis strokes. I huff and puff  and sweat at CrossFit. 

Things are better, vaccines are ready and the pieces of the puzzle are slowing coming together.

While I wait my turn to get the shots, I will be in touch, with family, friends and all. 

A subdued party is not my style, so watch out, soon, I will be knocking on your doors. Till then keep me in your thoughts and send me those happy wishes. Cheers to everyone's good health and happiness.😊🥳🥳