On my drive home one day this past week, my mind went back over a decade in time. It all started with an innocuous moment at work. Being new to my team, I often reach out for help. On rare occasions, I offer a helping hand. One such sharing session later, a friend profusely thanked me. Grinning, I replied in true desi style “Treat?”. Two days later I found a bar of Hershey’s milk chocolate by my keyboard. Savoring the swirls of chocolatey flavor, it struck me how far I had moved.

Some of my earliest memories as a working woman have been defined by the friendships I formed at work. The ‘treats’, the weekend plans, the train trips back and forth. Professions of undying friendship, of promises to keep in touch, never-ending phone conversations.

Over the years, the bonds loosened, the emails dwindled as did phone calls. Once a year around birthdays, a long forgotten soul would reach out and a smile would play endlessly on my lips. As the days pass, I realize it is not far off when only the memories remain notwithstanding fac.ebook and the like.

And strangely I find I am ready to leave the past behind. The tug of emotions, the wistfulness, the escaping half sigh and then peace. The circle of life seems to be complete.