Category: Feelings
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Why does it matter to you?
Back at home after a particularly long day at work, I bathed the girls in turn. As I was drying Kay, I heard a stranger’s voice from the kitchen below. It turned out to be the handy man who was in to replace our leaky kitchen sink faucet. “She doesn’t look anything like you!” the…
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Letters to my daughters
Dearest Kay and Cee, This morning as I stood by the kitchen island lost in mundane thoughts slathering butter and jelly on a slice of wheat bread for your lunch, I felt tiny hand clutch my thigh and a cheek press itself against me. Clutching a pink teapot in your hand you stood there sharing…
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Another year passes by
I glance sidelong, your eyes look straight ahead at the unending road. I glance back, the girls are lost in their own worlds. I sigh and settle back against the plush seat back. Years have passed us by, adding wrinkles and crows feet. Grey hair and double chins. I remember the excitement of celebrating birthdays…
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The place of understanding
Phone cradled between my ear and neck, I stirred a creamy concoction of butter, milk and cheese all the while listening to a broken soul on the other end. My chitappa, voice breaking, was trying to make sense of the loss in his life. As I held on even if just in silence I realized…
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The woman who was a child
I remember her first as a bride, milk white next to my rather dark chitappa. I was in fourth grade then. The competition was fierce to vie for her affections amidst a brood of siblings and cousins. Snatches of images crowd my brain. Her in a six yards saree when my mom and other chithi…
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Letters to my daughters: First day of school
Dearest Kay and Cee, It’s just past noon today. A good two and half hours since Appa and I dropped you off at your school/daycare. I sit picking at my lunch and wondering if they changed your diaper. If you have been fed. If you are happy. If you are looking for paati or us.…
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Letters to my daughters
Dear KayCee, Appa and I woke up bleary eyed this morning from having been up at odd times during the night. Each time you wake up crying, I feel a mixture of weariness and fear. Weary of yet another sleepless night and fear of what might have caused you to cry. More often than not, Appa rushes…
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Our Adoption Story
It was late night one Thursday in January that a number flashed on our home phone that was strange and familiar at the same time. You see, only a month before that call we were very close to bringing a baby home that did not happen at the last moment. Understandably I was very upset…
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No middle ground
Running behind Kay in the crowded space that was my brother’s home celebrating my niece’s birthday, I passed a girl whose face looked familiar. Smiling in my rush, I continued on and finally caught Kay before she put her hand in the trash can. Scooping her up, I looked for a space to rest my…
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A mighty fine daddy!
Da-da-dada-da! trickles a voice floating down the balcony filling up the kitchen and in turn my heart making me go all mushy. I hear happy shrieks and giggles follow your voice and I know upstairs there are three beings who are in a state of complete bliss in each other’s company. Sometimes you are with…