The family is known for its rich culinary heritage. They enjoy entertaining and experimenting with cuisines.
The daughter-in-law is unable to digest the fact that one needs more than bread, butter, jam, ketchup and milk to survive. Life moves on with the help of expert domestic staff.
“My Mom never cooked more than this…” she blurts out in a tense moment during the lockdown when domestic help has disappeared.
Epiphany strikes. One never gets over the limitations of one’s upbringing. Somehow, benchmarks are set in early years, and we just keep adapting for the rest of our lives.
Reena Saxena 
Life is a struggle, but worth the effort. If simple cooking is all she has to struggle with she is blessed. It sounds like the family is understanding which is a good thing. Interesting story that opens up a nice discussion, Reena.
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Thank you, Lisa!
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You’re most welcome, Reena.
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I was a chef, so I’d like to think mine picked up a tip or two!
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Hope so 😊😊
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Stodgy, Irish type (comfort) food and disinclination to adopt salads into my diet. And fattiness ensues! 🙂
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You are not alone on your journey ☺️☺️
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I wonder what benchmarks I’ve left for my children to try to grow beyond.
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It depends on what they see, remember and want to follow 🙂 I like the thought from the other side of the story.
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One must overcome many things in life, often including life itself. Well told.
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Thank you, Bill!
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You’re welcome, Reena.
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the fundamentals of our formative years are important, well told.
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Thank you, James!
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The lockdown affected many people, some lost out a lot more than others.
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The world has never been so united before in its common misery – a virus which military or money power cannot fight.
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There’s a lot of truth to this. While we adapt to many things, a few limitations just stick.
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Conditioning…
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Blending families together successfully is one of the biggest trials of any marriage. Sometimes I think we’re winning, sometimes I blurt out like your character!
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The real issue lies in cutting out the family from your self, rather than blending two families.
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Isn’t that the truth.
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For some, yes.
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Yes!
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Don’t blame the upbringing. My mother didn’t enjoy cooking, and it showed, but I learned to love it and I’m good!
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Some people shatter limitations easily, and some choose to remain stuck for some reason (maybe other than what we see)
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Need to think beyond the typical and rigid boundaries that have been built. A thoughtful post to change few setups in the name of culture and traditions.
Wonderful post.
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Thank you, Tanvir!
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I hope we can overcome at least some of the limitations of our upbringing
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Ideally we should.
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