Cups of Tea

Its funny to have a cup of tea as a timekeeper in my life.
For the past several years - the first thing I do each morning is brew a cup of tea.
Sometimes, I shred little pieces of ginger, add some green pati chaha, elaichi or masala.
It takes approximately 5 minutes for the water to boil and for me to add tea leaves - orange pico at my parents home in Bombay, Lipton in otherwise.
And I look out of the window while the smell damp tea leaves diffuses through the early morning air and the silence is broken by the giggles of boiling water.
In Gainesville - I'd look at the tall green conifers and squirrels run amock
In Atlanta - I'd look into the valley leading to the Chatahoochee and listen to the river meander and gush in anticipation for the day
In Delhi - it would be an electric machine and the planes taking off over vasant kunj caryying loved ones near and away..
Back in Atlanta - it would be the sleep green lawns wet with early morning dew and the sleepy trains chugging their way across the railroad down the street
In Hyderabad - it was the SV1 lawns and the early am class goers scrambling to get their grip on the day
In Mumbai - it is watching the grey skies and a city coming to life as the newspaperwallas, doodhwallas, car cleaners and dabbawallas set the clock for the day early am.
The debate on the healing properties o tea versus the hazards of caffeine continue.
The verdict on that one is still under debate.
What I do know clearly is the importance of these few minutes in the balance of my life.
And how they help me come to terms with everything that has transpired and feel hopeful about what is yet to be.
About how I hold that cup of tea in my hands -the warmth that it spreads through my world and the feeling of being complete that it brings.
A decade worth of tea in a darn blessed life.
Aree Huzoor - Wah Taj Boliye !
Thank God I have enough.