The traditions that bind us together….

“Down the mountain the river flows
And it brings refreshing wherever it goes
Through the valleys and over the fields
The river is rushing and the river is here” ©

Every year, as the hot summer days make way for the cool breezes and orange hues of fall, the members of SGMOSC, Raleigh come together for an event that has now emerged as one of the ingredients of the secret sauce that holds our church family together.

What started as a brainchild of one of our church members a few years ago has now grown into an event of mammoth proportions. My mind wanders back to the year when it all started. It is amazing when one recollects how it all came to be….with months of planning, hours of labor and a dedicated team, a surprising theme emerged right before our eyes. A theme that multiplied and grew until it became what it is today- a rangoli of colors, music and dance, an array of delicious dishes, sweet aromas that fill the air, teasing our senses and leading us down a nostalgic path.

 

Photo Courtesy- https://www.harvestfestnc.com/single-post/2018/08/10/The-traditions-that-bind-us-together1

As smoothly as the river flows down the mountain, our Harvest Festival blends in traditions of the past with hope for the new, ever-changing world. At this amazing event, we showcase a wide variety of traditional Kerala foods such as Meen Pollichathu, Tapioca with fish curry, Beef Ulathiyath, Vada, Idly Sambar and then blend in delicacies such as the chicken kathi roll, Rainbow Puttu, Bhel Puri, Chats and faloodas. Colorful stalls display favorites for the younger generations such as bangles, necklaces and hairclips. Our talented artists also offer henna tattoos and face painting. Our Harvest festival is definitely incomplete without its “Nrutha Malhar”, where rhythm and beats come together to provide a splendid visual treat. As you can see, different flavors complement our harvest festival just like the colors of a rainbow.

Every year, we add a new chapter filled with memories to the story book of our life. We hope that one day our children will look back upon these years and pull out story fragments tucked away in their minds. We also hope that these story fragments will make them smile and remind them of good food and great times with loved ones.

One thing we can say for sure is that this event definitely brings us together and makes us resilient, happier and healthier as a community. It has taught us to appreciate the blessings in life, expand our horizons, to renew our relationships and to create a memory book for our children, amplifying some memories while letting go of others.

Our Harvest Festival has now grown into a tradition that binds us to our roots and keeps us together.

©- The River is here by Andy Park. 1994 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing

A kaleidoscope of memories.... A view from inside

As I helped my 7 year-old daughter into the car after our church's Harvest Festival on Saturday, I looked at her face, flushed with excitement and happiness. She blurts out, “Mama, this was the best day of my life, I loved the Harvest festival”. Her brother immediately joined in and echoed her words and excitement. 

So what was the Harvest festival conducted by our church all about? Let’s see what comes to mind when we think about that wonderful day.

The aroma and taste of delicious authentic Indian food, melodious music, fabulous dancing, loud laughter, lots of chit-chat, under a large beautiful white tent……all swirl into a colorful, happy memory of great times with good friends and family. 

What stands out is the astounding variety of Indian delicacies handcrafted by our outstanding chefs and some really great stage performances! A dance choreographed by a 10 year old, a patriotic performance by our Krazzy young boys with a splendid hand-made Indian flag, lovely songs sung by our budding little Lata Mangeshkars, a medley of beautiful, nostalgic Malayalam & Hindi songs sung by our seasoned singers and the absolute highlight of the entire festival- a perfectly choreographed flash mob performed by the adults of our church. 

Need I say more? 

Memories….at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. When my children are all grown up, and out and about in the world, making memories of their own, I know I will look back upon this moment and thank God for the happiness and blessings that were showered upon us on this day. And I am sure it will remain a fond memory in their hearts as well! 

As our dear Tenny Thomas Achen reminded us during Sunday’s sermon:

“Pyar deewana hota hai mastana hota hai
Har khushi se har gham se begana hota hai” 

Love is crazy and wonderful
It is unaware of all other happiness and sorrow 

And that’s what our harvest festival was all about......  

Even in these busy and difficult times, it was an opportunity to love and serve each other, a time to be happy and joyous in this love. A crazy, wonderful brotherly love that created a kaleidoscope of memories.  

As our beloved Thomas Achen says:

 “A Mountaintop Experience” indeed!!!

 My Brother, My Best Friend........

 

The other day, my daughter Olivia looks up from her coloring book and says, "Mama, I feel so sorry for my friend Aleena.....".

I was in the middle of tempering my sambar with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Not wanting to burn the mustard seeds and spoil the curry, I mumbled a very disinterested and distracted "Why dear, what's wrong with her?"

"Because she does not have a best friend at home, mama, like I do. Jayden is my best friend in the whole wide world and he is at home all the time because he is my brother. But poor Aleena does not have a brother or sister."

The mustard seeds, curry leaves, sambar and everything else flew out my mind's window as my heart melted and I 'Awww'ed out aloud. I ran to her and hugged her. Both, for calling her older brother her best friend and for being so caring to her friend, Aleena.

I'm sure there isn't a single mom out there who wouldn't love to hear her child call a sibling her 'best friend in the whole wide world'. I felt blessed. It was an early Christmas gift. Suddenly, a slideshow started playing all by itself.....in my mind. Pictures of the day when my daughter was born and my then 4-year old son gazed down at his newborn baby sister flashed through. They were followed by pictures of the two of them playing together. My son pretending to crawl along with his baby sister who proudly showed off her newly acquired travel skills. Nights when my band masters would wake up the neighborhood banging on their makeshift drums and toy pianos. Times when my daughter would burst into tears if we put her brother in the time out chair for some mischief. Saturday afternoons when the whole family would go out for drives and listen to nursery rhymes on the audio system.

How true, having a sibling is like having your best friend at home. Someone to play dressup with, to quarrel with and to watch a movie with. The slideshow now took a retro mode and showed shots of me and my younger sister running around as little girls, throwing cushions at each other as we fought, shopping together as we got older. Lots of good memories flashed by.......

    "Mom, Jayden is not sharing his cars with me."
    "Mom, she is messing up my Legos, make her stop please....."

My mind's slideshow came to a screeching halt with screams from the present.......

Back to reality and the unfinished sambar.