Dear Papa, When Amma was sifting through your things, she found your Madras Literary Society card and said, "Papa wanted to give them a copy of your book." Little did I know that this would put in motion a string of events that would lead to my book launch---something you wanted to do when I … Continue reading For you Papa
Tag: family
Never Say Goodbye
It was Ekadashi, a day auspicious to Vaishnavites, when he collapsed on his wife's bosom while she was trying to wash him up. She called to her sister in alarm. "Call the ambulance. We have to take chetan to the hospital." He had lost so much weight over the past few weeks, refusing to eat … Continue reading Never Say Goodbye
Ticking off Items on My List
Right after the car accident in the summer of 2019, I remember penning a blog post. My priorities had changed after a terribly close brush with death. I wanted to (a) publish my book, (b) devote more time doing Reiki, and (c) I’ll get to that in a bit. This month, I crossed off (a) … Continue reading Ticking off Items on My List
30 Days of Gratitude (Chennai Edition)
This Thanksgiving was different just like this year was. I spent it away from my kids and family in the US. I didn't cook a Thanksgiving meal with mashed potatoes and pie (both regularly feature in my Thanksgiving feast). It's not a holiday in India although Wednesday was a public holiday thanks to cyclone Nivar … Continue reading 30 Days of Gratitude (Chennai Edition)
Living Life to the Fullest
Imagine yourself on your deathbed. No, really! Take a moment and imagine that. Will you be happy that you lived your life in the best way possible? Will you have a sense of satisfaction that you pursued all your dreams and made them come true? Or would you be wringing your hands in despair thinking … Continue reading Living Life to the Fullest
Hello From the Other Side and Other Signs of Afterlife
Ganga's gone. Physically gone. Her obituary appeared in the Manorama newspaper yesterday. So it must be true. I find it hard to believe, because I wasn't there when it happened. Chennai was in a lock down and Dad and I couldn't travel to Palakkad for her funeral. How cruel is this life that we couldn't … Continue reading Hello From the Other Side and Other Signs of Afterlife
Energy Healing 101
For most people the body is a solid tangible entity and the core reality of their existence. They forget that everything in this universe and beyond is energy and besides what is visible to the naked eye is a whole other subtle world that influences our reality. Without this energy or life force (chi or … Continue reading Energy Healing 101
An Unforgettable Trip
My father just celebrated a milestone birthday. On March 1st he turned 70. Ten years ago I had flown down from Boston with hopes of celebrating my grandma's 80th birthday and my Dad's 60th birthday back to back. But that was not to be, my grandma passed away a day shy of her 80th birthday … Continue reading An Unforgettable Trip
Christmas in Florida
I miss Florida. Florida in the winter. Florida's beaches. A particular friend who lives in Florida. So when P suggested we go to Florida, my joy knew no bounds. We decided to go visit our favorite haunts in Melbourne. The soccer fields where I spent many an evening while my son was at soccer practice. … Continue reading Christmas in Florida
22 Days of Gratitude and Counting
Like promised, I kept a memo pad at my work desk and every day I jotted down what I was thankful for in the time it took my laptop to switch on. On weekends, I stuck my gratitude notes on the refrigerator. The notes were not as thoughtful and deep as the ones I did … Continue reading 22 Days of Gratitude and Counting