Real Togetherness

It was last month that I visited my Sister-in-Law for a short vacation. We were meeting them after almost 2 years and we were pretty excited with the idea of catching up for a few days. A few of our close friends and distant cousins too were living close by and we were sure of having a great get together.
We reached our destination just before dinner time and after a shower we all got down together for dining together. A few cousins too had come over for dinner. So were a good 17 of us at the dining table. My Sister-in-Law served a hot meal to all and I generally started asking all as to what they had been doing over the last 2 years. Our conversation went on till for about 2 hours, post dinner and we resigned for bed post midnight to meet up early morning, next day and plan the day ahead.

Son and my wife immediately went to sleep as they were too tired and watched the garden outside my window in the moonlight. It was so pleasant and refreshing that I could not sleep immediately, but to admire the beauty of the nature there. One more thought which was disturbing me was a certain sense of aloofness which I saw in all, assembled in the dining room during dinner. Somewhere, something was not the way it used to be earlier. I strained my memory and recalled our previous get-together where we had spent so much time laughing off remembering old incidents and not realizing how many hours we had done that, but today during dinner things were different. What I noticed was that almost all had their cell phones in their hands and all were busy keying in on their messenger services, perhaps chatting with their friends or group members. We all were together yet we all were far from each other. I had to do something next morning , if I did not want the same repeat scenario.

I planned, smiled and slept. I woke up early morning and packed some food for about 20 of us and called all the vehicle drivers. We had about 5 vehicles with us. All drivers were instructed as to what they were to do and they got down to work. They, too, seemed excited. Once my friends and relatives assembled, we had breakfast and Tea. They all had presumed that we would stay home and maybe watch a movie together, but they were shocked when I pushed them outside the house and they got in the cars. They kept asking me where we were headed to, but I kept on smiling and avoiding the answer.

We reached a nearby farmhouse of another friend who was fond of making wine and had a mini vineyard in his estate. He too joined us and I could see the excitement on the faces of all. We went over to taste some fantastic home made wine with more snacks and I could see the gleam of happiness in the eyes of all. Slowly I directed them to one end of the farm which was already ploughed for us. They all seemed curious and were wondering as to what was in store for them. The drivers brought a few bags containing seeds, fertilizers, some water and small digging tools. I explained them as to what was to be done and we planted all the seeds and the saplings which I had instructed the drivers to get. While planting I explained to them the nutritional benefit of the seed/sapling they had put there telling them about the fruit/leaf of that plant. They all were very happy doing this activity and I was happy to get my group back together in the same active mode again.

We were in the farmland for almost 4 hours. We had our Lunch and even the evening tea there. I had to actually drag them out of there, so as to return my Sister-in-laws place before dark. After reaching there they all decided to stay back for dinner and we all chipped in our bit to help the cooking process. What I noticed was that none of us used our cell phone even once and we all enjoyed each others company like old times. Over dinner, I explained the importance of #RealTogetherness to them with the days example and they all understood. They promised me to spread the message to other friends and relatives of theirs after I left. I left the next day with a happy and rejuvenated Son and wife with this small outing, and I was happy that I could help some technology struck close ones understand the importance of Real Togetherness.

Uttpal K

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