The Big Picture

From our room high up on the 7th floor, the magnificent lake glistens like countless specks of shiny diamonds. The pearlescent sheen resulting from the interplay of light and water is breathtaking, as it is surreal. Several small boats set sail at full mast, unabashedly cutting through the pristine, glossy water. On land, people are cycling, mobile-scootering, kite-flying, roller-blading or simply sauntering along the vast natural lake. In the din, peals of children laughing and hollowed sound of dogs barking can be heard.

It’s another beautiful Sunday here in Groningen, sans the scorching, windless front we encountered the previous week. Amid the cool, inviting breeze, we ambled by the lakeside in the afternoon to a snack parlor for some ice-cream sundae and crunchy fries. Now I’m back in the room with Sadia napping on the huge double-bed of our suite that we have called home for one week now.

In the middle of last week –Thursday – Sadia caught a bit of a fever. For two whole nights, her body’s high temperatures hindered her (and us) from a goodnight sleep. The rapid change in the weather must have contributed to the bug.

Our unreserved thanks go to hubby’s programme coordinator from whom we received a bottle of paracetamol syrup. It helped to somewhat alleviate Sadia’s ailment. Alhamdulillah, what a huge relief! Although her appetite has yet to return, she is gradually recovering from the high fever.

Before Sadia fell sick, I’ve actually contemplated going back to Delft first with her. The lack of connection to the outside word (read: internet) and the dearth of watering holes to test out (read: walking distance) were sufficient reasons to rile against this travesty of geographical proportion. With parcels upon parcels of polder, I am led to believe that the Netherlands – as horizontal as the eyes could see – is a densely-populated country. How gravely wrong I was! With Germany neighboring to its immediate right, the flatlands steadily give way to hilly characteristics that escape most parts of the Netherlands. The successful irrigation system that defines the thriving polders in the south and east, fails to make a lasting mark here. That, or the discovery of underground gas explains for the fallow, less inhabitable nature of the northern territory.

Whatever it is, I almost gave up on staying here when I realised how ridiculous (and spoilt, I might add) I sound. My husband who empathized with my predicament – the paucity in stimulating outlets within and without – urged me to go back to the comforts of our home in Delft where all our bare necessities are easily accessible. In the end, Sadia’s physical health was the turning point in my narrowed perspective.

Of course I’d miss the luxury of surfing the Net but it’s become an addiction that I have to wrest control over. The sudden withdrawal – almost cold turkey –from the cyber frontier sent a reverberating shock to my system. Coupled with the far-flung distance to any familiar stores, it was more than I could bear. Also, some depressing news from the home front made the transition even worse.

When we are habitually exposed to a certain type of living arrangement and its usual trappings, we might get swept away by the complacency that particular life affords us. As far as our happiness is concerned, we mustn’t lose sight of the Big Picture when some material things are either in short supply or snuffed out of our hands. Save for the ‘fixed units’ of Loved Ones and Health, the list constituting the Big Picture differs from one individual to the next. So while one might specify Internet as a necessity, another can counter it as immaterial. A simpleton can live without a television whereas a distinguished epicurean will turn his nose away from a dinner table if caviar is not on the menu. In any case, the permutation of variables involved in completing a person’s Big Picture is endless!

My version of the Big Picture? Being with my beloved family who, apart from me, are in the pink of health, and with God's grace, contentedly living inside a humble abode we proudly call home. Michael Bublé’s evocative, touching rendition ‘Home’ comes to mind.



As nature’s brushstrokes paint crimson and orange hues on the lake’s horizon, my mind is already abuzz with planned activities on the morrow. Five more days to fill before we jump aboard a train bound for home! Luckily yesterday we found a semblance of haven – the familiar grocer, Albertheijn sharing a two-storey suburban mini-complex with the aforementioned snack parlor, a reasonably priced Italian restaurant, a café cum pub, a florist and a hair salon! And it’s closer than the canal hike to the other shopping square. Also, a trip to the city center might be in the works. We’ll see how Sadia is faring in the next few days. Nothing beats exploring a new place than with your loved ones!