As a teen I enjoyed watching the comedy TV series, ‘I Dream of Jeannie.’ in which an astronaut finds a genie in the bottle. The genie granted him wishes. Golly! I was amazed at all the things the genie could do in a blink of an eye.

And with most of my days filled with the busy parenting routine, I’ve often wished to have my very own genie,  and then one bright, chirpy Phoenix morning it happened—

Amongst the lather and the dirty dishes,
In my sink, I found a genie in the bottle.
Kazoom! I opened the stopper to release
the tiny bewitched thing.
The genie bowed and said, “My master, I reckon,
you need to rest. Please allow me to do my best.”
In disbelief, I rubbed my eyes,
but there she was, right in front of me!
I sat before the fireplace, curled up with a cup of tea.
And, took out a dusty thin book that begged me to read,
and don’t know when, but I fell asleep.
When I woke up the house was sparkling clean,
the dishes were done, so was the laun-dary
nicely folded and kept in the dresser,
all within my arms reach.
The dinner was on the stove, just the way I like it
curry and basmati rice, and the naan on the side,
salad beautifully arranged, and a big glass of red wine.
Genie said she would do my pedicure too
as my toes possess a yellow hue.
I asked, “Dear, can I keep you, forever?”
I believe I might have begged,
for I had added
“Please and pretty please,” too.
Genie said,“Master, allow me to leave.
I have to serve others who
await a sigh of relief."
I thought of the mothers, sisters, wives and daughters
fathers, brothers, husbands, sons and
grandparents too,
all who desire a little respite
from their daily grind of might.
“Genie," I said, "You have a big job to do,"
"So, I let you free."
With those words, the bewitched thing
that awesome, helpful thing
faded into the air.

Friends, be on a lookout for the enchanted beings in the form of neighbors, friends, relatives who come into your lives at the most difficult times to give you respite and help to refill your everyday life cups.