A WORD (OR TWO HUNDRED) FROM THE EDITOR

Over a short break a few weeks ago, I sought the company of old friends. Not in person, of course. With everything that’s going on, all the on-again, off-again restrictions on gatherings in place and the persistent fears over where Omicron is leading us, there was zero possibility of that.

Some of us have got our booster shots, others are still scrambling for appointments. Also, many of us are scattered across the globe. So we connected over phone calls, video chats and long, newsy emails. Nostalgia reigned. We shared stories from long ago. One recalled one of us announcing she was turning 13, another shared old photographs. We updated each other on recent family news we haven’t shared in detail, caught up as we were in dealing with the fallout of COVID. There was much teasing and pulling of legs. Tears were shed over losses we’ve faced. Many, many virtual hugs exchanged. We urged each other to stay safe as we faced yet another period of uncertainly, and yet spoke longingly of meeting soon.

These are friendships that have anchored me for decades. Steady, constant, each a treasured, indelible part of my existence.

I also reached for another set of old friends – my personal all-time favourite books and movies that I periodically dip into whenever I’m in need of a mood picker-upper.

I read (for the nth time) Ballet Shoes, Daddy Long Legs, Pride and Prejudice, Paul Gallico’s Flowers for Mrs Harris and Rumer Godden’s The Dark Horse, among others. Some of these I read through to the end, some I skipped ahead on occasion, to savour the parts I love the most. Dog-eared and much-loved, these books have accompanied me from continent to continent, from home to home. While on these books, fans of Noel Streatfeild’s “shoes books” will be delighted to discover that Circus Shoes and Theatre Shoes have been republished just recently with Party Shoes expected this month.

I watched (again, for the nth time) Swades and Apne Paraye, International Velvet, On Golden Pond and episodes of The West Wing.

I will readily admit that most of the above are naive and feel-good, but all are ultra sweet. There’s comfort in these old friends, decency and goodness. I’m on familiar ground. I know, for instance, that a president conjured up by Aaron Sorkin can do no wrong and that the world is in good hands. I know everything will be resolved, all loose ends tied up, and that, most importantly, unexpected twists in the tale will not result in my yelping and leaping up with a start.

When the world seems topsy-turvy, we seek a safe harbour, we seek refuge in simplicity and goodness we can trust.

These are times when we reach for and hold family and friends close. We realize again that nothing matters more than nurturing relationships. It’s about fostering values. It’s about love, actually. And no, not the movie.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Family Day!

Shagorika Easwar