Happiness Is . . .

Summary

Vidya Sury reflects on her late mother's joy of making rotis and how it has become a symbol of happiness and her mother's enduring spirit.

Abstract

Vidya Sury shares a personal story about her mother's love for making rotis, which was a source of joy and peace for her, especially during her battle with ILD. Sury's mother believed in the power of a smile to uplift spirits, a belief she passed on to her daughter. The article is part of a November prompt on "Collecting Smiles" and serves as a tribute to her mother's memory, with the patterns of the flame on the rotis reminding Sury of her mother's smile. Sury also thanks her co-editors and invites readers to support underprivileged children through Ko-Fi, while encouraging them to subscribe to her motivational tips on Substack.

Opinions

Vidya Sury's mother had a significant impact on her life, instilling in her the value of a positive attitude.
The act of making rotis held a special place in Sury's mother's heart, representing more than just a cooking task but a form of stress therapy and well-being.
Despite her mother's health challenges, her cheerful demeanor persisted, emphasizing the importance of finding joy in life's simple pleasures

. . . when my roti smiles at me

If you’ve known me for a while, you probably know how close I was to my mom. In fact, it is safe to say that she’s responsible for my (sometimes annoying) cheerful attitude. “Turn that frown upside down” was her mantra, because she truly believed that it is pretty hard to stay mad when you’re smiling. While I scoffed at these words of wisdom more often than I should have, I have to admit she was right.

So anyway, mom loved to make rotis and it was a joy to watch her in the kitchen. What flourish, what style, what confidence — she could transform any ingredient into a delicious dish. All with a song on her lips.

Although she could cook up more recipes than anyone I know, the one thing that seemed to bring her the most peace was making rotis. She loved the process of kneading the batter (stress therapy), rolling out the dough, and flipping it on the griddle or the fire, depending on whether we were making fulkas or parathas.

During the last few years of her life, she was battling ILD and was in and out of hospital. Yet, she’d always remain cheerful. Even when she had surgery and returned home, she would insist on making rotis, saying that as long as she could do that, she felt well.

Thanks to her, I began to notice the patterns of the flame on the rotis. Today, when I see a smile, I feel blessed, imagining it is my mom nudging my heart with her brilliant smile. I miss her every day.

Thank you dearest Mary ❤ This publication is my home on Medium!

I love my co-editors Sandi and Ellie. Could we all send Ellie some loving vibes, please?

Photography | November Prompt: Collecting Smiles | Travel

Happiness Is . . .

November Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Collecting Smiles”

. . . when my roti smiles at me

When You Need a Happy Face

November Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Collecting Smiles”

Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today?