Research has it that marriage may test one’s sanity, but living into old age with a partner also lowers the risk of dementia.
Since the institution of marriage does not come with a handy instruction booklet, after the hazy cloud of blind love faded into reality, we realised that ‘happily-ever-after’ included smoke alarms that cheered on my cooking expeditions, gifts that were meant to surprise became shocks due to misunderstandings of tastes and choices, weird habits that our rose-tinted vision had refused to take note of and normal conversations that snowballed into disagreements and very soon grew into full-blown arguments.
But the bumpy, sometimes steep and otherwise uphill road that we encountered helped strengthen our bond as did my culinary expeditions that strengthened the husband’s digestive system.
When I chanced upon a folded piece of paper that contained a hastily scribbled recipe of a dish that had once — by some strange stroke of luck — turned out as expected without any incidence of accidental burning or charring or meeting friendly neighbours after the smoke alarm raised pandemonium, I decided to surprise my family by pushing my luck yet again.
Luck was once again on my side as the dish turned out to be perfect in taste and appearance. I could almost hear the fanfare music as I placed the garnished masterpiece.
Unfortunately, the music was only audible to my ears as the husband failed to notice amid discussing worldly matters. Sid intently listened to his father’s words as he mindlessly chewed more than the recommended 32 times and forcefully swallowed them when he wished to throw in a question or two about the topic under discussion.
Little Princess was the only one who noticed and screamed her disapproval.
Half way through the meal and between the orations of worldly affairs, the husband took note of the screaming silence emanating from my side of the table and was quick to understand that something was amiss. He looked about for cues from the curtain to my hair. Since it was obvious that I was bound to show no interest in playing a game of 20 questions or throw in clues, he settled for something safer and went on to throw a few compliments about everything except the dish that had been painstakingly cooked and served with love.
Considering that this was an incident that took place more than a year back and that its details are vivid in my mind’s eye to be revived over the table every time I make the lucky dish that had once gone unnoticed, the husband is absolutely sure that living into old age with his partner is definitely going to keep dementia at bay.
He explains that the trick is in dividing the task between the two of us.
I could fill up every brain cell with important events (like the one mentioned above) that have taken place since the first time we met to be brought up as and when the occasion (read argument) demands, while he will keep track of the state of our finances and other less important factors of our life.
As of now, he only worries about keeping his sanity.
The above is an extract from an article published in the Gulf News. For the entire write-up you can check here.
Wishing all of you a very happy and relaxed Sunday.
Hey my dear friend 😁 Good Morning, how’s your Sunday going so far?!
😂😂😂😂 Okay, so I’ll make some people read this post off the virtual world, if that’s fine? It’s genius. I have actually been observing bachelor life, and those of couples and married couples, and wow, it’s a struggle! To sum it up, umm, What’s with men?! They can write a discourse on mind boggling details of latest technology, remember scores of football games from medieval times, solve complex situations in life but they’re so hopelessly clueless when it comes to their partners, completely forgetting even the basics sometimes! And women, oh man, I think saying what we feel like sometimes would be a lot less taxing than the guessing game. I swear, everywhere I’m going I only see one thing, men deriving possible reasons of “what they did wrong?” It’s now a rocket science baba or probably if it was, they’d figure that out! 😂😂😂😂
Anyway, yeah I got a little carried away but that’s what happens when you observe a lot. The article was both funny and screaming reality in every line but there’s a bright side and not just preventing dementia I think, despite this entire struggle, life does make you realise at some point that your spouse may not be ideal but you’re indeed everything to them. Phew, this has to be the longest comment I made!
Sorry, happy Sunday and hey little princess’ applause was all you needed, kids are honest after all!
Xoxo♥️😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey TW, firstly please do not be sorry. It warms my heart to see your long and lovely feedback in the comment section, so please do not be sorry. I love them. It means my work has been acknowledged and even enjoyed.
How have you been my dear. All is good at my end and my Sunday is super up until now.
You are free to show it to whomsoever you feel requires a dose of wisdom with married life and does not mind a good dose of laughter. It is a roller coaster and there is no perfect partner. Haha I love the question – Whats with men? Unfortunately for us, their eyes notice sports, technology and the news – not necessarily in that order.
So glad that you enjoyed it, TW. You might want to come back and read it once you have acquired marital status 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alright I promise, I won’t be sorry😆 your posts deserve all the love and praise, believe me😃 I’ve been good too, in guilt mode post festive food gorging! Working on a new post now!
Hahaha, alright yes, I’m keeping this article with me for when that happens! Till then, I’m quite happy being an observer😋😉 have an amazing week my dear friend, xoxo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, my dear 🙂 and (count a heart). Same pinch, I was also on full-on guilty mode after a good holiday break 😦 At least, I am not alone. Will look forward to your post, until then.Take good care, my dear. (another heart here)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are never alone my friend. Take care you too. Xoxo😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 A big high five to that TW
LikeLike
Wishing you a very happy Sunday, my dear. Take care
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take care you too😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
After many years of being together one learns a kind of shorthand when communicating, it often involves a form of sign language which surely must create new synapses in the brain as one tries to figure this new form of communication out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely, Kim. Sometimes not communicating at all does the trick 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
by the way, I found the cartoon a bit too tilted in favor of ‘the wife’. yes, I agree, the tips for success for ‘a life ever after does not come printed in the form of Dos ans Do Nots in a handbook. To me, it requires all the stealth required of a batsman facing up to Shane Warne in his heydays on a doctored pitch-play each delivery with head down and a straight bat, for you knoweth not which way the next ball might turn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Doctor, that was hilarious and I know for sure that the husband would take your side and agree that his experience up until now has not been any better either. I am also glad you noticed that the cartoon was in favor of the wife, just like it is after the woman in a relationship acquires the status of a wife and the man loses his bachelor status.:)
LikeLike
hehe the game of clues, marriage and cooking brings a smile on the face.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad to be reason to bring a smile on your face, Vishal. How have you been? Wishing you a very happy New Year. Yet to read your space. Will take a peek soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure. Take ur time. Shared the GT link on social media…looks good 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Vishal. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Pranitha, as I read your article my smile was growing wider…..Men will be men!! I simply can’t understand how they fail to notice some thing new or different. After so many years now, I have gotten used to it now 😉😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Radhika. So glad to have brought a smile on your face. Their ability to fail to notice that one thing that you are waiting for them to take note of without you actually spelling it out is one I cannot seem to understand too. I am still on the road of trying to get used to, Radhika. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so happy that your little princess was able to notice your masterpiece !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! Thank You, Megala 😉 She sure noticed albeit with a loud cry of disapproval.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How true, Pranitha!
Not only a dish, many things go unnoticed and we learn to live with that… a new arrangement of collectibles, furniture and alas, a favourite new dress! The last one is so depressing…what say 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so truly agree with you, Indira. But how can one not notice a new dress when they can notice the right jersey for the appropriate sport? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely and entertaining read, Pranitha ☺ The title’s apt too.
Hope to read more from you and your experience with the family.
See you around. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year, Andrei! And thank you very much. What a pleasure it is to see your feedback. Glad you could relate to the title 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pranitha 🙂 Lovely to read your wisdom again!
See you around
LikeLike
What a lovely post!! Your writing style is so beautiful and light hearted. I absolutely agree with you on everything a marriage is – a good balance between who keeps track of the emotional account and the financial account 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so very much, Pragalbha. So very glad that you agree.:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
All my pleasure 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pranitha, what a way to keep dementia away. Yes, we have so many memories, but it seems that some stick in our mind longer than the others. In any way, remembering is good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Remembering is good – both for dementia and when you have to drive a point home 😉 Thank you, Miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what it means, Pranitha. I’ve heard stories that one could get lost in the neighborhood and can’t find a way home, How scary!!
LikeLike
It was such a lovely post! I absolutely love your writing, Writer Woman!
LikeLike
Great post!! I love your writing style can’t wait for more…check out mine https://caelidotblog.wordpress.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much! Will check the space soon
LikeLike
I can imagine the frustration (coz I see it on my wife’s face almost every now and then)…. but I do not still manage to keep up the expectations.
Superb usage of words. Loved your writing style.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sajit. Glad you could connect. Like the research says ‘ marriage can test your sanity but it can keep dementia a bay’.😌
LikeLike
Enjoyed reading the article Pranitha. Marriage does keep dementia away. Especially for us women who are able to bring out the laundry list of evils done to us from inception of the relation till date :). Husbands on the other hand remain in an empty space of bliss further irking us. We help them remain alert at all times.
LikeLike
Oh my God, Nitha. I can’t stop laughing. 😂 And come on, you can’t be that bad of a cook. But I know how it feels, when you manage to cook a perfect dish after multiple failures. You just feel so proud of yourself. I hope for my sake and other’s sake that the guy who I will marry turns up to a great cook. 😂 Allenkil divassavum smoke alarmnu pani aakum. And coming back to your post, your hubby should be thankful that you’re saving him from dementia. 😉
LikeLike