Letters to India - day 1

My darling,

Where are you at the moment? In a transit lounge in Singapore, flicking through an Asia-Pacific version of Marie-Claire, perhaps? I hope you can take some time to relax, after the frenzy of getting you onto the plane, but before the frenzy of your arrival in India. I hope the in-flight movie was smart enough to be diverting, but dumb enough not to be demanding.

I want to let you know how we are going. In detail, every day, while you are away. Perhaps the minutiae of our daily lives will be too mundane while you are away, dealing with this. I don't think so. I think you will want to know every single thing your family has been doing. How our life goes on in your absence -  we'll be okay, but we're awaiting your return. In all the craziness and uproar you are confronting over there, we're still here, loving you, waiting for you to come back.

The babies stayed asleep all the way home after dropping you off at the airport. They had a big sleep! And consequently were very easy to get to sleep tonight. I'm feeling a little apprehensive about how the overnights will go. I think Pearl will miss you. I've told them you are in India, and that you are looking after Aunty Alice, who is sick. And that you'll be back soon, but not today.

We went to the library this afternoon. I wanted to get some supplies from the shops, and a few library books to read during my solitary evenings. For the first time ever, I put money in one of those rides they have in shopping centres. I've always maintained a barrier: 'No, Grandma does that. I don't make them go.'  I think Pearl and Louis were a bit surprised when I gave in to their pleas!

We also had pink milk ('just like Lola!'), can you believe it? I just couldn't be bothered taking a stand today. "Sugary drinks? Rides? Why not?" I'll probably pay for the lowering of my standards at the next trip to the supermarket.

Wish-I-had-the-camera moment today: Louis and Pearl both put on tutus and practised ballerina twirls through the house. They looked gorgeous!


People are really keen to help. It's so heartwarming. Our neighbours C & M drove over the river this evening to retrieve your car. Sally rang, and Katrine rang, and Sharon emailed, to offer me whatever help they could. Hannah and Georgia are coming over Sunday to play with the babies for a couple of hours. Hopefully a bit of teenager time will completely wear Pearl and Louis out!

I've only just emailed Mum to tell her you are away, I sort of procrastinated. I haven't heard back yet. I'm sure she'll help out lots.

It's going to be harder to stick to my diet without you around. I just wanted macaroni cheese for dinner  - comfort food. I can picture myself every evening on the couch, rewarding myself with a whole block of lindt for making it through another day without you around.

I made the special diet pizza instead. Maybe I'll live on that for two weeks. But I'm finishing off that slice Libby gave you. It's amazing...and I wouldn't want it to go to waste. I'll start again tomorrow.

I've looked up that India is four and a half hours behind Australia. At the library, I pulled out an atlas and said to the babies, 'Look, I'll show you where Mummy L is.'  Pearl looked politely, then said, 'Picture [of] Mummy?' So I had to explain that although I could show them a picture of India, I couldn't actually show them you in India.

Maybe once you've scoped out the place, we can arrange a time to do a video chat.

xx Pass on my love to Alice.