So, you all know that I’m a pretty plain girl. I don’t put stock in most of the traditional feminine notions of beauty: no engagement ring, rarely wear makeup or jewelry of any kind, couldn’t care less if I’ve got hair to brush or not, you get the idea. Well, my poor mother has been struggling with this for years. “Why don’t you just wear a necklace to dress it up a little bit?” “Earrings would look so nice with that.” “Your hair looks beautiful when its longer.” You get the picture.
Well, now she’s got an army on her side. Every Indian woman and man that I’ve met has insisted that as a married woman, I must wear jewelry. Poonam has made it her personal mission to turn me into a lady. From the painted nails, makeup, bindi and jewelry for Foundation Day to henna designs on my hands and bracelets for every day, she has done her level best to make me presentable. This week she got unexpected support from a former actress-turned-social worker who came to the school to meet me. Shocked and appalled at my lack of decoration, she stripped seven bangles off of each arm, forced them over my giant paws and even removed a silver ring from each foot to adorn my toes. She would have given me earrings and a necklace as well, but fortunately she finally ceded to my protestations. Wearing any one of the gifts I’ve been given guarantees exclamations of affirmation and delight from children and adults alike wherever I go. I’m doing my best to make them happy. Don’t expect me to keep it up when I get back across the ponds, however.
No comments:
Post a Comment