Mornings at home

My favourite time at home was always the mornings.I am an early riser and have been so right from childhood.Its my dad's pastime to regale us with stories about our childhood.Anyway,mornings were the time for me and my parents to talk about any topic under the sun.This is how the day would start... amma would be the one to get up first always.No,no don't mistake her as the homely kind...she gets up early to get on with her corrections(she is a teacher,by the way).My dad will get up some time later and get on with this early morning chore of making tea and coffee for every member of the household.Now don't think it is a simple task.It was his responsibility to make this for people staying over in our house also.My mother might make the second and third and fourth and ....cups of coffee or tea but the FIRST is always made by achan. The procedure my dad followed was also one he strictly adhered to each day and made us follow the same track.As soon as the milk was put on the doorstep,the packet had to be thoroughly washed.Next,cut the packet at the accurate angle so that it drops correctly into the vessel(oh,I forgot the vessel is already waiting even before milkman arrives,the washing of which is another epic).Then place the contents on flame to boil.While the milk is getting boiled,wash out all glasses,cups,spoons necessary for near future and place them in a single line in descending order (of the size of container).The required sugar is put in each and he remembers who does not need sugar every morning.The milk has to be boiled to the point of falling out.Achan is paranoid about stuff not getting boiled or cooked properly.Then the milk is poured into the awaiting containers to the exact amount every day,not one drop more,not one drop less.Finally,it is placed on the table and he calls me and my mother.All these chores are tinged with "rocking" songs rendered by my father.Now,amma and I always drink our coffee sitting on the dining table.Achan will take his cuppa and go and stand on the balcony.It was our daily ritual to talk about some issue in the early morning.Amma is the sole conversationalist in the house.She will start a topic and can talk to great lengths about it.Achan will act as though he is not listening but will quietly come and stand near the table.He will need to know all that amma aand I talk and he will complain that we talk too softly as he can't hear anything in the balcony.We always had something to talk about in the mornings.It was one time all three of us relished.My sister was never available for these chats as she was asleep or away from the house.All analysis,pre-analysis,post-mortem of any subject was done.This whole episode would take around fifteen minutes after which my mother would start getting ready to prepare breakfast and lunch.But even in all this busy period,the mornings were always kept for enjoying a cuppa with family.I miss my mornings after I've come here.There is nothing much precious in this world than a good time with one's family over a heavenly cup of coffee made with so much care...