Picture this.
Beautiful green meadows dressed in beds of yellow and white blooms, all hemmed in by lush green hills. The backdrop, this natural canvas as if out of a fairy tale. Sounds magical, doesn’t it? Well, there is more. On one end of this picturesque setting lay an enclosure walled by coniferous trees. Trees with dark green leaves reaching endlessly towards azure blue skies. And this secluded, almost hidden away from prying eyes. Leading away from there, a path swathed with twigs and leaves to a stream flowing at a distance. And in the silence of the woods the echo of delight. Folks smiling, talking and having fun in the middle of that, almost as if in a parallel universe. Moms and dads alike chopping and cutting in preparation to cook. A few even working at getting the fire started to be used for cooking later on, using vessels as big as a witch’s cauldron. The children playing in groups, giggling, few crying too but overall all cheerful amidst chaos. This scene, the beginning of a day with family and friends, a day of being together, is what comes to my mind when someone talks about picnics.
What about you?
There was a time when picnics were an annual feat in my life especially during New Year’s. It was something everyone looked forward to. I remember spending some beautiful winter days in the lap of nature surrounded by people I love. The food prepared out in the open always left a wonderful aftertaste. That picnic chicken curry is still my favorite and no one has been able to replicate that since. But do you know what the best part about such picnics was? The time spent together, yes, the key word here is together. 
The tradition, I’m sure, is still continued back home but I haven’t had a chance to go on one for what seems like ages now. Moving away for higher education and then starting work in a new city later on came in the way of these little tidbits of life I had taken for granted. And now as clichéd as it sounds, where is the time?
Everything is virtual in these days of the social network which I don’t mind, considering a lot of people simply get on my nerves and I’m better off without meeting them in flesh. But then again once in a while a picnic or a get together really does no harm.
I don’t know about you but these days I make do with quite dinner parties with friends and family. Well, at least those few who happen to live in the same city as I do. These are of-course few and far in between because like I said, nobody has the time.
There was a time when I would meet cousins at least once a year. Now, I don’t even remember the last time I had taken time out to just speak to any of them other than on their birthdays. Should I say this is the downside of the fast tracked lives we lead, how scattered our circle is or technology? I don’t know but I do know that something somewhere went missing.
I just hope we can bring that back into our lives. The future generation needs to know there is more to life than social media, there is more to life than virtual friends. And the chaos of being together with family and friends only adds to the pleasures of life.
But how do we do that?
Simply by being together!
· Making it a point to take time out to meet family and friends.
· Not waiting for that special occasion to make plans. Make mundane special, I say.
· Maybe, not leaving everything for the weekend?
· Giving importance to face-to-face interactions occasionally rather than just Facebook chats.
· Impromptu dinner parties with friends and family. It’s the meet that matters not the meat (or what’s on the plate!)
· Calling instead of relying on WhatsApp. I know I’m guilty of not doing that too.
· Planning holidays around meeting family, extended family even.
· You add the next one here!
Linking this to #1Word Wednesdays hosted by Lisa of The Golden Spoons and Janine of Confessions of a Mommyaholic. The words this week were creepy or chaos. I chose the latter.
Agree with you Nabanita. The thing is we need to make time instead of waiting to have time to re-connect with people we love and care for. Yet it's a huge effort to pry everyone away from their gadgets and push them to spend time outdoors. I need to plan a picnic – thanks for the reminder.
I love this reminder that we simply need to be together and sometimes like you said it is harder in this time with more things done virtually, but still nice to break from that and do it the way it once was done. 😉
There is happiness in those chaos. Nice one.
I honestly miss the reunions. Families become so disconnected even though we remain "friends" on Face Books. It seems these days folks thinks that is more than enough contact. My Grandma, if she were alive today, would be ashamed of all of us and demand a family get together.
This post reminds me of a certain rant on twitter I saw from you 😀 dinner together ? 😀 But yes I know what you mean exactly by this post 🙂 We should start asking kids to name ten friends they play outdoor games with the whole idea of that is dying away..
While growing up, we did not have picnics may be cos of the lack of place to go out but we did have house parties. And I used to love that. The chaos, yet the cheerfulness. In Bangalore, with close friends, we do that quite often. Bring food, gather in one house – eat together and have a good time. 🙂
Your post is a great reminder for of all us to stay together and be connected in real life.
Oh I loved your description of the picnic, Nabanita. It reminded me of several times of family fun we had growing up. Summer holidays spent playing outdoors during the day, games together at night – dumb charades with old and young, and sleeping under the stars….
I agree with you – we must make the effort to meet and eat together with friends and family.
True Tulika..There are so many constraints to get that done these days… But once in a while if possible, it would be wonderful no?
That's the idea Janine..I know it's not possible every time but we should try and bring back the real aspect of things even if occasionally..
There is, isn't it? 🙂
I agree Kathy..Wonder what changed…There is no time to meet family as well these days !
haha…dinner only with people we can tolerate love 😀
yes, it's just that kids these days miss out on so much..Maybe it's not their fault as well…But yes the certainly are missing out on so much
True Parul..It doesn't have to be too many people..just a few but still meeting face to face has a different charm and allure…And it makes us happy too..
Thanks Corinne…That is the picture of picnics we used to have when I was a kid…Miss those days..
can't agree more…you are right..Spending some time together with your loved ones is precious indeed..
Hi Naba, finally i have settled amidst the chaos of my life. it all started after bein engaged back in 2012, getting welded in 2012, baby boy in 2014, advancement at work. overall i am now settled with chaos and started picking up to my jobby – blogging. after writing 2, reactivating indiblogger account, this is the first blog i read. nothing stops me from agreeing fully on your views. life has become miserable with social media and people have started living with doubts in mind. greet someone just like that and he/she might start doubting your intentions. lol. as far as meeting cousins, elderly relatives etc., i am happy to be back on track after i tied knot. it started with taking her to close one's homes and now a practice to visit once in while or as a part of festivities. though cousins might not have time to be, we both keep the habit of meeting and meating. 🙂
I love the chaos of family time!
Totally agree, Naba. Being together is the key!
It is , isn't it?
Good on you…Good that you are able to do that…I still have a long way to go in that department..All in good time maybe!
Yes, me too Lisa 🙂
Thanks Anita 🙂