Simple Simple Solutions

I must cram the entire semester’s Electronics fundamentals within the next 8 hours, to prepare for tomorrow’s exam. Getting a good night’s rest before an exam, is not an option. I must get the next best solution before mom goes to bed. She somehow knew I was coming and as always, she has an answer. “Go wash your face with cool water. That will do the trick.”

It is past midnight and I am unable to fall asleep. I must leave home at 6am the next morning. I gently tap mom out of bed for a solution – the solution. “Wash your face with cool water. You will fall asleep like a baby.”

Sister’s headache? Face-wash. Brother is upset about a fight with a friend? Face-wash. 5-year-old niece scraped her knee? While attending to her knee, make sure you wash her face. Angry with mom? Wash your face. You WILL cool down.

Mom had many such one liner solutions to calm us down. Comb your hair. Fold the clothes. Take a walk. All those years, we retorted, we challenged, we dragged science for support and even teased her.

There was one person who followed her advice her entire life. Mom. She travelled a lot between the children in India and the US. To her, jet lag was nonexistent. No matter the timezone, she washed her face and combed/made her hair before her morning coffee, afternoon tea, and in the bath/shower. Always fresh, always cheerful after that act. The last couple of years, she willingly obliged as her home care nurse(s) helped her, in pain or discomfort. Looking refreshed was a habit.

I am cringing as I write this. My next quarter plan has changed drastically, my gut is rumbling with too much fiber, I have lost my argument with my husband, and instead of my fasting, sleep has been intermittent. My hair is so short, no comb/brush can find its way in. (Amma’s voice in my head – since hair is the only thing that obeys you, you keep messing around with it). And the only place I am washing my face is in the shower.

Note to self: Wash your face. Everything will be all right. 😊