Thoughtful Drift

This Diwali, I want to extend my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating the season of light. Our own celebration is going to be simple yet full of meaning, with evening ‘pujan,’ enjoying good food, and the beautiful Rangoli my spouse creates each year. This year was unique because it’s my first Diwali since meeting AkM, and we found ourselves sharing a lot about our family traditions and the different rituals each of us follows. We talked about everything from Diwali cleaning to the kinds of foods prepared and the customs that make this festival feel complete. These conversations added a new layer of joy to the celebration, reminding me of the beauty in our shared experiences and the ways we each bring Diwali to life.  No matter how big or small the festivities, Diwali is a time to bring light into our lives and embrace moments of connection. To AkM, and to everyone celebrating, may this Diwali fill your days with light, joy, and plenty of reasons to smile.

Today, I made my annual birthday call to a friend I’ve known since 1998. We’ve only met once in person, but we’ve stayed connected all these years through letters (later emails) and these annual birthday call ritual. This time, though, the conversation took a sad turn - she shared that her mom passed away three months ago, and her brother just last month. It was hard to hear, and I didn’t know what to say, but I listened. This call reminded me how important it is to stay in touch, even when we don’t see each other often. Life can change so fast, and we never know what’s next. Sometimes just being there, even from afar, means more than words. Staying connected in small ways can really bring comfort during tough times.

We’ve all been there - a simple tap or swipe on our phones, and before we know it, something important vanishes. But when that mistake involves deleting a long history of conversations with a loved one, the sense of loss can feel even more profound. It stings even harder when the deletion wasn’t even supposed to happen - it was meant for something else entirely. What truly struck me in this moment was how gracefully AkM handled the situation. Even though I couldn’t help but feel somewhat responsible - don’t ask me why - I found comfort in how you turned it around and cheered me up instead. It’s funny, I was supposed to be the one lifting your spirits, but it was you who brought the warmth and positivity.

This trip was long overdue; it was meant to be our first international adventure. We aimed to make it happen by our 10th wedding anniversary, but life had other plans, and now we are approaching our 15th anniversary. The trip kept getting postponed for various reasons, from my own laziness to chaotic work schedules and skyrocketing ticket prices. Just when we finally had everything in place - tickets booked and reservations made - COVID struck. That cancellation hit the hardest; it felt like all the signs were telling us this trip was never meant to be. But over the past few months, as I talked with AkM, something shifted within me. I realized there would never be a "perfect" time; I just had to make it happen. So, I owe a big thank you to you, AkM, for making this trip possible. It was really your good wishes and prayers, which worked. The trip itself? My family loved every moment, but for me, it was something more. Every morning, AkM would wake up at ungodly hours just to c...