I had seen since childhood that there was a big box in our house. Once in every three months this box was cleaned and that scene was very interesting for us, because we were the least weight in the house so it was our responsibility to remove the contents from the bottom of the box. We would be dropped off inside the box and we would pick up the stuff. We loved this box full of clothes from around the world, bedding, pillows, bedspreads, grandma’s pandan and precious giftware.The small beds with colorful beams were very beautiful.
Mom used to tell that these were made by Nani Ama with her own hands when our elder brother John was born. Some of Ami’s wedding dresses were also very elaborately embroidered. All were made at home. Salma looked very beautiful in the green dupatta of the star. Amy’s box was full of decorations and ornaments. Woolen macrame, Qureshia tablecloths, triangular corner fringe handkerchiefs were made with great craftsmanship and beautiful color combinations. For Ami, they were not just decorative objects, but also connected with her childhood memories and stories. Whenever mom took them out of the box, she would caress and smile. Maybe they remembered something. For them these things were more valuable than gold. One of the purposes of cleaning this box was also that the clothes of the older siblings were put in new ones when the clothes were tight, who will get the fix now. And whoever found the right cloth, that cloth would be given to him with an advice and the advice would be that if you respect the cloth, the cloth will respect you. So wear the clothes smartly, like your elder brother or sister wore. Ami’s box was full of gifts brought from different countries, which Ami kept very neatly.
And when asked about things, mother’s eyes would have a strange gleam and she would say that she will give it to all of you sisters as dowry. And really everything was in pairs of three. A beautiful fruit basket, a complete set of teapots, sewing boxes, salt shakers and what not. Our center of interest used to be the glass dinner set and we used to say to mom every time I will give it to my dowry, it is so beautiful. And the mother would smile and answer, “Son that is in your destiny, you will definitely get it.” Just make this dua, may Allah show you happiness and be blessed to handle everything with your own hands. Therefore, what was that box, Umar Oyar’s basket. Whenever the thing needed was found in the box. When guests come, remove the bed. Take out gifts to give to the guests. If the children of the guests forgot to bring clothes, the clothes of their measurements would also come out. And to give a gift at someone’s wedding, when Abu said what to give, a box would be used. Something rare would be taken out of it and given as a gift, and we would think, when did you bring it, mother? Last time I did not come out in the cleaning. That box was a magic box. You just say the need and he would attend. In those days, every house used to have such a box. While women were not made of what clay? How did she save money?
It was not that such things were seen only among the poor. Boxes were also seen in rich to rich and good to good families. Actually, it was not a matter of riches and poor. The women of that era loved civilization, culture, love and sincerity, relationships, customs more than their lives. These boxes of theirs were proof that they had preserved the old civilization. The purpose of frugally giving clothes from one child to another was to instill love and sincerity and to teach children the value of things and to keep them away from wasteful spending. In earlier times, people did not run after brands, every household had its own brand. For people, it was not a matter of pride that how expensive the pair was, rather it was a matter of pride that this dupatta belonged to my mother or my elder sister. The scent of love coming from these clothes soothed the soul, kept the relationships together. And in these clothes, they considered their existence to be reliable and dignified. Everyone was told without hesitation that this dupatta or chadar or kurta belonged to my grandmother or my aunt.
Whatever the sufferings and problems, the woman of that time had a complete and comprehensive solution like a box. And she had the ability to keep her entire family well-balanced and contented. This box also managed the children’s future so that in bad times the shoulders of the man of the house would not be burdened and he could take the daughter to his house with carelessness and respect.
How good were those women and their bags too. It seemed that all the attractive elements of a woman’s character were enclosed in this box. There were all the delicate feelings and emotions in it from the sparkling glass. Today’s women are no less, just need to highlight some skills. If the women of today pay a little attention to thrift, courtesy and good behavior along with education, they can make a better society. I wish we would be able to keep a similar box in our house. I wish we had the skills that the women of that time had.
