Snowed Under | Move over Chiffon sarees, let me jump !

Every family has that one person with the ability to recounts memories from anytime. Anyway that's not me. I usually rely on someone to bring back the warmth from the golden carefree days. 

I was beginning to think that I could no longer reach out and grab old memories. Some periods of life are a blank slate. But sometimes memories come back to you when you least expect. 

This first week of Jan 2026 bringing unexpected snow in the backyard retrieves a memory from another January, 13 yrs ago, in 2013. I want to just record it before the feeling slips by. 

We'd travelled to Maine so our parents could experience snow. On our way back as we were nearing home, we got caught in a blizzard. The cautious drive in poor visibility through the last miles leading home, and later waking up to a morning wrapped in blankets of snow gifted precious memories. We look back at the day with a twinkle in the eye. I recollect my mother often remarking on how far we had travelled to see snow, when there was much more snow waiting for us, right in our backyard. 

THEN in Maine, USA. NOW in the Netherlands, Europe. 

The SLR and the two lens used to capture the THEN pic, housed in their own special bag, were always given priority with a "handle with care" mental tag when we went on trips. As time went by, a diaper bag assumed priority to be shouldered wherever we went, and very soon the SLR was relegated to a cupboard having served well in times of need. The NOW photo is taken with a mobile phone, convenient and within a palm's reach. Photo credits for both go to the same person.

THEN with my parents and better half, NOW with my kids and better half.

My bright winter attire (yes the combination is not matching) THEN is replaced by modest blacks NOW, but my preference for comfort and protection in weather extremes remains. 

So move over Chiffon sarees..If I can sneak in some time for a walk in the snow, I would rather see if I can jump ... THEN and NOW.