#MeToo

It’s everywhere. That hashtag. I saw it up as a friend’s status on Facebook. I made it my own a few seconds later. That was yesterday. Today, a very large percentage of the women on my list of friends have the same or a variant of it as their status.

I look at those stupid buttons that Facebook has developed to react to things and I don’t know what to click.

Like? No, I don’t like that it happened to you too. That you are part of the population that has to take part in a movement like this. I don’t like that at all.

Love? That’s what I’m sending you because you’re my sister in this. It was you yesterday. It was me the day before. It could be her tomorrow if we don’t do something.

That amazed button? Because I’m in shock that you too have experienced what I have.

Tears? Because there was no one to protect you when it happened, like there was no one to protect me.

Anger? Because the nature of the issue is such that no one is spared. No one is safe. No one.

I don’t know how to react. All I do know is that it’s time sexual harassment and assault – to whatever degree – is taken seriously.

It happened to you?

#MeToo.

******

Post 17 in the UBC this month.

What a night!

I know I’m in the middle of a story series and for those of you lovely people who are following along everyday as I publish a new chapter, I will tell you more about Emily and her journey tomorrow. I had to pause and tell you about last night!

Bahrain, the tiny little island on which my family has lived now for a little over three years, hosted its first international jazz festival! The husband and I heard of the festival in early September but, as with most things we figured that we would go and buy tickets only closer to the show if we really wanted to go…

Fast forward to last night, the 6th of October, the day of the festival and the two of us still didn’t have tickets and were still unsure about going. Although the gates opened at 11 AM and performances began at noon, at 5:30 in the evening, the two of us were sipping on tea trying to decide whether we would enjoy doing the grocery shopping for the week and playing a game of scrabble after or actually going to the show. Fortunately, tickets were available at the venue and we made the effort to attend the jazz festival.

We arrived in time to catch the last three acts. I wish we had reached in time to watch the Speakeasies, a Greek swing jazz band, play their whole set, but we didn’t. We heard them belt out their last three or four numbers and my otherwise stick-to-mamma-in-a-crowd little one was on her feet dancing in no time.

The next band to play were the Ska Vengers who had music that was a very interesting fusion of old style Indian sounds, Cuban, jazz and rap among other things and they had everyone dancing along; including my daughter who tried very hard to imitate the movements of their lead singer. 😀

The final act was the Electric Swing Circus and not only did they make amazing music on stage they were also extremely entertaining. Unfortunately, attending a show that late in the night with a toddler has its limitations and my daughter had had enough. So, we left before they finished.

However, I have two regrets. One, I think I should have taken pictures. I was so busy enjoying myself that I didn’t take out my phone. Two, which is my bigger regret: We missed the rest of the performances. If they were anything like the last three acts, they would have been worth watching, even if they were playing in the middle of the afternoon in the open air.

For my two and a half year old and I – a thirty-one year old – it was our first “concert” experience. (Don’t judge on either counts…) We had a fabulous time! Sitting on the grass, dancing to some great music, munching on good food, sipping cold drinks, enjoying the kid’s play area AND listening to amazing music.

Well done Bahrain!

What a night!!

******

Come back tomorrow to find out what happens to Emily!

Am posting everyday in an attempt to complete the Ultimate Blog Challenge this month.

Mother’s Day

It’s Mother’s Day.

This is the first year that my little girl is old enough to form the words and wish me. Being game to celebrate anything right now, at my husbands prompting, she came running to me and said “Happy Mama’s day!” before covering me in baby kisses. I don’t need anything else.

When I was growing up, I don’t think I ever wished my mother on Mother’s Day. I don’t think I even knew when it was and so today, three decades later, wishing her feels awkward. Now as has become my way, instead of saying how I feel, I’m going to try and type it out.

Thank you. For being patient but still putting me in my place every now and then. For listening to me complain but taking my side only when I’m not at fault. For allowing me to make my life choices but still choosing my outfits for functions. For making all the sacrifices and yet encouraging me to take the paths you didn’t. For being the baker-mom that caused every other kid I knew to envy me. For giving me your recipe book. For making me believe that I can do whatever it is I dream and still never pushing too hard. For enduring even when it must have been so hard. For being my guidepost.

I love you and if I am half the mother to Aarti as you were and still are to us, Aarti is sure one lucky girl.

Happy Mother’s Day Ma!

XOXO

ONE!

This evening I took down the mobile which used to be suspended over my child’s crib.  

 

It left me overwhelmed. 

Tiny’s grown from needing help with turning to just stretching those little fingers up high while she is solidly on her feet to give those swinging toys (who would yell for their lives if only they could) some vigorous exercise…

Even though tonight’s the end of the period during which she’s been “zero” – tomorrow she’ll be one – I still find I’ve moments like these, those of utter disbelief time’s flowing by so very quickly.

Sigh…

Time. Slow down! Slow down?

******

The prompt for the 100 word challenge on Thin Spiral Notebook this week was to write 100 words without using the letter A. An absolutely brilliant prompt! Go check out the other posts here.