I believe in Perseverance

“I May not be here yet, but i’m closer than I was yesterday”-unknown

“ if you are going through hell,keep going”- Winston Churchill

I believe in perseverance

I believe that we all go through hardships in life. Sometimes it’s inevitable and we, as individuals, have to fight through our challenges even when we are at our lowest point in life. That is what I believe is perseverance. Having to go through hell and still having to walk past all the difficult situations that are going against you in life.

Ever since I was little, I always had eczema. I always had the “itchy” feeling since elementary school and it was something I was used to. Then came middle school where my eczema became dormant. I had no issues with my skin and I was able to be at ease for the 4 years I was in middle school. But then came 10th grade when my eczema started to come back. I didn’t think of it as much because it was just a little flare-up that didn’t really affect my daily routine. I finished the 10th grade but that summer was a time that will always be embedded in my mind for the rest of my life.

My life changed drastically that summer. It was the summer where I would be going into the 11th grade, the most important year of my life. Over the summer, my skin got worse to the point where it was affecting my quality of life. I was in a constant state of pain. My bedsheets looked like a murder scene because of how much my skin would leak blood. I would always have this burning sensation like someone poured hot oil all over my skin. It felt like 1000 needles poking my skin all at once. I was immobile at this point where I couldn’t do any of my daily activities. My mom got so worried that she took me to the doctors that summer. But what the doctor said changed my life for the worse.

The doctor had told my mother and I that it was “basic eczema” and gave me a steroid cream that would help improve my infected areas. During the appointment, she never examined my swollen, inflamed skin. The resident, that was there to see me, looked from afar and after she gave the prescription she left. She also told us that she’ll refer us to a dermatologist “as fast as she could.” My mother was furious that they weren’t diligent with what I was going through and decided to take me to the children’s hospital. They were more helpful than my own family doctor. They looked at my skin thoroughly and got me a referral to a dermatologist right away. After the last few days of summer were over school had finally started.

When school started I was doing okay, I wore the uniform and attended my classes as best as I could. During the beginning of school, I went to the dermatologist and they examined my skin and took a swab of it. She wanted to check if “there was an infection” that had appeared in my skin. Another couple of days had past and I started to bleed through my shirts and I had to constantly go to the bathroom to stop the bleeding. Fast forward to my next dermatologist appointment and the doctor told me that I had “a heavy staph infection”. I was prescribed antibiotics for four weeks. It got the infection out. At this point, I stopped going to school.

When I didn’t attend school, I was in bed, in pain. When everyone was having fun at school, I had to suffer at home, alone. The pain that I felt was unbearable. I couldn’t move any part of my body and had to stay in bed because wasn’t able to walk either. liquids would be pouring out of my skin and would dry up and turn into yellow scabs that would be scattered all over my body. My arms, hands, legs, and stomach area were all swollen, bubbly and inflamed. I eventually started to smell this weird odor coming from my skin. I soon figured out that it was coming from all the patches. During this time, I was heavily depressed and lonely. My parents had to work and my siblings were still going on with their life while I was bedridden for 4 months. My mom tried to stay home as much as she should when I was severely ill, but there was only so much that she could do. My family was very supportive and would come over to talk to me. In this time, I had never craved for so much human interaction in my life. I was at the lowest point of my life. At that point in my life, I was so scared of what the future held because of how many absences I had at the beginning of grade 11. After 4 months of taking medication, I was finally able to go back to school.

After going back to school, I felt good about myself. I was doing something other than laying down in my bed and being cooped up in my room. I had a lot of work that I had to do in order for me to pass grade 11. It took a lot of effort and time to get where I am today. I had to work 10 times harder than everyone else because of the fact that I was already so far behind. During this time, I was still facing problems with my skin, but I didn’t let it come in my way. I persevered through the pain during school and got my school work done. Eventually, when school was coming to an end, I had successfully completed second semester of grade 11. The feeling I felt on the last day of school was of pure relief. it was joyous moment for me. I had done what I thought was impossible for me. I persevered and had successfully passed grade 11.

https://nation.com.pk/08-Jul-2017/an-open-letter-to-people-suffering-from-depression

Category: Rania, Sept 2019 | 3 Comments

January 18

There is beauty in the struggle

Love Yours

Artist: J cole

Album: 2014 Forest Hills Drive

Released: 2014

Genre: Hip hop/rap

J cole released a song called ” Love Yours” in his 2014 Forest Hills Drive album. He talks about how individuals all across the world struggle in their own way.

If I asked you right now, “What do you love?” How long would it take for you to respond with “myself”.

Why we feel like we are not good enough? How do society’s standards and people’s judgment alter out thinking to believe that we are no good.

I remember scrolling down on facebook to see this post that read, ” There’s only good and bad people in this world.” That left to think how we become bad. And I don’t think I have found an answer yet, but what I know is everyone is capable of bring goodness into this world. Every one of us have the power to inflict positive change, to test society’s standards and question people’s judgement.

There’s only one semester left in our last year of high school. And no matter where we all end up in a few months for now…

I hope failure doesn’t make you give up on your goal

I hope loving someone with your heart and soul doesn’t end up hurting you.

I hope you find your dreams and chase them.

I hope you find strength in your bones.

I hope you live your life the way you want, no what others expect of you.

I hope you allow yourself to be free to the good and bad.

“There’s a lot of roller coaster’s life will try to put you on, and I pray you realize you don’t have to get on one single up and down ride, you don’t have to listen to anybody or the tricks they try. Your intuition is always enough to get you by.” – Clayton Jennings

” I hope you live sold out and push life to the limit.” – Clayton Jennings

“People throw rocks at things that shine, don’t let negative nobodies purchase property in your mind.” – Clayton Jennings

“Stay care free and dance through life like freedom is your middle name.” – Clayton Jennings

Category: Sept 2017, Simran | LEAVE A COMMENT

January 14

I still wonder….. (Free Choice)

Dear Diary,

It was a dark sunny day today. I was trying to cross a double road on a highway. Yeah, I know what you are thinking, it has been just been a few weeks since I came back to India and I’m already breaking all the rules but I was in a hurry to help the man with a young child across the road, who was about one year younger than Sparsh I believe, who just turned 5 in October. It took me approximately ten minutes to reach the opposite side because it was a highway and rush hour, so everyone was trying to get home to their families.I guess it was then that it hit me what a cruel world we live in. About a 100 cars should have passed from the time I noticed those two people and no one even tried to help them. Who knows how many hours, days or weeks, they had been sitting there. I had some snacks in one hand and water bottles in the other hand.

I gave it to that man as soon as I got through the traffic I will never forget the smile on that man’s face. He thanked me and told me I would live a beautiful life. There was only one question in my mind all the way back home, Why didn’t anyone just stop and help that man? Why is everyone so wound up in their own worlds and are so selfish that they couldn’t even spend 30 rupees on some snacks and water bottles. If nothing, they would have made them smile and gained well-wishes of an innocent man and his child. It broke my heart when I saw that young boy, he didn’t deserve that life.

When I finally reached home my grandma could see I was in despair and agony, I went straight to my room and laid down on my back just thinking. She came in with my lunch and asked me everything was okay, I told asked her the same question that was on my mind. Why didn’t anyone stop to help that man? She had no answer for that either. She said, “My father always used to tell me a story that his mom told him.” “Do you remember everytime we go to our village and I see people outside the temple and I offer them everything I have in my hand and in my purse.” I said, “yeah, you did that when I was young, even though we didn’t have enough to eat back home, you would never say no to those in need.” She then told me the reason behind it, “If that man in the uniform who was fighting against us, protecting his country had not given my granddad the water bottle I can’t image how he would have survived in that hell hole.”

At that time my dad was only 2 or 3 years old, I can’t remember now but my grandfather told me when we got the water bottle from the man in that uniform, my granddad respected him more than he ever respected anyone. Because that man in that uniform was the only one who saw my dad as a human in need and not as the enemy. Many men walked by without acknowledging them but he stopped and offered them the bottle of water. It wasn´t a lot but it was more than enough. My dad also told me that the water wasn’t for himself or for mom it was for the children that were with him. “Genes I guess.” They weren’t his own but he saw that they were in need and didn’t think twice about it and offered it to those children.

Everytime I heard this story from my dad it would compel me to help more and more people. I had never seen my grandma in tears in a long time. That was first when she was talking about her granddad. As she looked up at me, she could see I had tears running down both my eyes, I still remember those soft fragile hands that wiped my tears and said “Look Chinni, (my nickname) we can’t control how other people handle things and how they react to it, maybe there are helping in other ways, ways we are not aware of. Only thing is that we can’t control anything. It is how we react when we see someone in need that’s what really matters. “Are you gonna be the soldier who offered my granddad water bottle or are you going to be those who didn’t acknowledge they were there.”

She looked up at me and as she wiped her own tears and said to me “I am proud of you Suhaani for helping that man and his child out in ways you could. Now come on eat something.” As my grandma was feeding me, I thought about how absolutely lucky I was to have a meal 3 times a day and have water whenever I needed and that man and his child- no one cared how long it had been since they had their last meal or even seen a meal in days.

I went back again after eating my lunch to take them to a decent place and buy them a meal. But by the time I reached, they were gone… That young child had done nothing wrong to be living that way. I may never seem them again but all I hope is that the young boy gets everything in this world everything he deserves and wants.

Category: Sept 2017, Suhaani, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

January 10

The Forgiving Heart (Free Choice)

My poem was inspired by one of the themes form P. K. Page’s poem called “Sisters”. When l read the poem my mind thought about forgiveness. Forgiveness is not only about forgiving other individuals, it could be also about letting go of the burden you carry within yourself. Normally when l hear the word ‘forgive”, l think about forgiving myself because they are other times in life where l have blamed myself for someone’s death or actions because l felt that l had let them down. Life is full of ups and downs but sometimes we learn to let go, let go of the pain or burdens. It teaches us that everything in life happens for a reasons, God know what he is doing. Letting go of grudges and bitterness. When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of revenge — or embrace forgiveness and move forward. … These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger and bitterness — even vengeance. To be able to forgive we have to learn to accept the situation, without acceptance no one can ever move forward.

Forgive is to forget right.
Then why does it hurt?
Then why does my throat clench up and my eyes start to water?
If forgive is to forget, shouldn’t l be smiling.
Is something a matter with me?

NO!

Forgive is not to forget.
Forgive is to move forward.
Forgive is to accept
To accept that the past is real and it will always be there.
To accept that the pain will dull, but never fully go away.
To accept that everything that happens to you is a lesson.
To forgive is to show how much you’ve grown.
To understand that we are all humans and humans make mistakes.
To forgive and accept that you finally understand the lessons you were taught.

Forgiveness is both easy and hard.
it hurts and pleases the heart.
It lets you know that the pain is there, despite how much stronger you have grown.

The fear and dread you feel when you have those words.
The conflict you feel as you question whether you should forgive or hold on.

Past hatred and pain comes back and whisper in you ear.
You may want to stay bitter and regret the apology that’s been given to you.
However, to do that is to refuse to grow.
Forgiveness is the hardest thing human can do,
But sometimes in the end it’s worth it and helps you move even further in life.

Category: Nicole, Sept 2017 | 2 Comments

December 19

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou – I Forgive You by Suhaani Jain

Still I Rise

by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

I Forgive You

by Suhaani Jain

Do you remember how I was hurt with your words?

Do you remember how it made me feel?

Do you remember how I told you to STOP?

Do you still hear my screams and shrieks at night?

Because I can still hear your words…

Echoing in my ears…

every day,

every minute,

every second…

of my life.

Does it bother you I learned from my mistakes?

Does it bother you I finally accepted who I am?

Does it bother you I stopped seeking your approval?

Because I just don’t care anymore.

Does it bother you that I am not one of your puppets anymore?

Does it bother you I stopped letting you drag my soul down?

Does it bother you I stopped crying myself to sleep?

Because I now sleep in peace.

Does it bother you that I am more capable than ever?

Does it bother you that I stopped caring about and listening to your words?

Does it bother you that I am confident?

Does it bother you that I let go of things that weighed me down?

Because I did and I couldn’t be more happier.

Does it bother you that I MOVED ON?

Because I realized you

weren’t worth

My pain,

My tears,

And my life

has never been better.

Reason Why…

It’s like

Gripping

On to shards of glass,

Believing it would numb the pain.

But I realize it cuts deeper than the surface.

Ripping open the capillaries

With no hesitation,

Severing the nerves

Without a second thought.

By the time I realized

it did more harm than good,

It was too late.

The damage had been done.

The work of the monster/enemy

Is now

irreversible.

For the longest time, I thought this friendship was worth the pain and suffering. I gave it many chances, hoping each day, the next would be better, and hoping each day it would be worth my while. I stood by you when the whole world was against you. I supported you at your absolute worst. I was there when you needed a shoulder to cry on. I was there when your so called “friends” betrayed you. I always believed in you, and I went out of my way to protect you and stand up for you. I disregarded the hell you put me through because I saw that you needed a friend. I went against everyone who loved and cared for me. I went against those who wanted the best for me and those who told me to stay away from you, they said you would cause nothing me but pain and despair. That you would fill my life with nothing but darkness. I stood up against EVERYONE for you. I myself was broken, yet I pulled myself back up so I could be there for you. You used me, lied to me, took advantage of me and my friendship. Every single time, I gave you a chance, I wanted you to prove to me that I was right about you. I wanted you to prove to me that you weren’t what others were saying you are. Instead, all you ended up doing was proving them right, each and every single thing they said about you was true. You proved me wrong. You pushed me down repeatedly, but, then you picked me back up, only to push me back down again. You made me feel absolutely worthless. Even after all this when you were in my position, I took you under my cocoon and protected you. You repeatedly broke me and my trust. Yet, I forgive you, for the times you used me, for the times you made me live in self-loath, for all those times you disrespected me and this friendship. And I forgive you because I don’t want to remember you in anyway. I don’t want any part of you in my life. Moving forward I want to be able to remember those moments in my life that I cherish and am proud of and none of those moments involve you. None.

Category: Sept 2017, Suhaani | LEAVE A COMMENT

November 27

Love….

How can a four letter word mean so much to us as humans? We all experience it at one time or another but it leaves us hanging with nothing to hold onto.Love can affect your life and you in multiple ways. All the regret and hardships you go through during this time is a lot, it causes many people to be depression and stress. It turns on you so quick you can never expect it. Like a tunnel, love has a beginning and an end or a light side and a dark side. When you are in love you are in such a happy spot and you see so much light but the moment you get heartbroken you get stuck in the dark end of the tunnel, you see nothing and feeling nothing.

I’ve been heartbroken but i’ve also been at the happiest time of my life. This one time I was so happy, things were going so good but then in the blink of an eye it was all gone. I had absolutely nothing left, I could only see darkness. Isolating myself, I pushed so many people away from me, I wouldn’t let anyone help. I logged off on all social media so no one could contact me in anyway. I didn’t want anyone to help, I wanted to be dead. Breathing, walking, and talking were all so hard for me to accomplish, even though how simple they may seem. I lost one person but it seemed like my whole life was gone; he was my love, my best friend, my big brother. Felt like nothing could help me at the moment and I didn’t want to move forward. That feeling of loneliness and heartbreak caused so much trauma and physical pain to my body that it didn’t just break my heart, but it damaged a part of my life, this is nothing you can just forget about it. The memories still linger behind the back of my head and it scares me to do anything now, I am so much more cautious and still have trust issues.

Nothing comes easy when you are at such a dark time. Everything hurts and you don’t think you will ever recover, but you do end up recovering soon after. There is so much to go through in hard times including; depression, stress, loneliness, and hurt. Love can hurt you but in the end you are so much stronger, and it makes you such a better person to experience a heartbreak.

Category: Chantelle | 1 Comment

November 13

Experiences

My Experiences: Part 1- High School

High school… There is only a couple of months left of it. It is true when they say “high school goes by fast.” “Enjoy the last years of high school, you’re going to miss it.” I never took those words seriously. Time. I never gave the term ‘time’ any thought, I always thought that there was always enough time, enough time to get my grades up, to finish that book for English class, to finish my math homework, anything. Honestly, there is never enough time. Almost 13 years of school completed, and now I know there is not enough time. Now, I know nothing lasts forever and high school guaranteed that for me.

You know what else? I am the worst at saying goodbyes. I always tend to think that a new start will be a bad start. I hate change. I think it is just fear of starting something new, something I am not used to.

I never thought about how drastically my life is really going to change after graduation. Throughout the 13 years of my life, the people I met and grew up with, I came to the realization of how difficult it is going to be, knowing the fact that we are not going to see each other again. “Hope we stay friends after high school,” are we really? Probably not. I guess that is just how it is. Leaving high school is a realization. Realizing what my friends have grew up to be, what they aspire to be, their dreams and ambitions they want to achieve. There is so much more to them that I never knew, more than I ever thought in all these years.

I know, I can see, the anxiousness, worry, tension, in my classmates and friends. The word ‘university’ makes everyone’s hair rise on the back of their necks, including mine; without being fully aware that there is much more to look forward to after high school. The pressure upon us, from parents, teachers, friends, even from ourselves, take control over our decisions, our aspirations, our wishes without realizing it. The quote “Graduation is not the ending, it is just the beginning,” reminds me of that, the opportunity to gain new experiences, skills, knowledge, relationships. High school is just the beginning. From all I learnt in high school, I understand the importance of the values, beliefs, relationships, knowledge, experiences gained from the dreading years of school. These factors make an individual, whether they are lessons or blessings. High school may be one’s worst or best years of their lives, whatever it may be, they do make you who you are- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” -Charles Dickens.

Category: Sapna, Sept 2017, Uncategorized | LEAVE A COMMENT

November 9

All I could do was breathe…

Related image

I remember coming home that night to my entire family sitting in the living room; accusing and blaming one another. I did not plan on coming home but I had nowhere to go. I stood in the cold without any socks or shoes on- blank, feeling incapable of noticing my feelings and feeling them. I don’t know if it was the fact that my father had kicked me out- not worried about where I would go or what state of mind I was in or if it was just me finally accepting that I hold no place in his heart. When I came home no one noticed me but I carefully analyzed everyone who was in the living room. My dad’s rage and my mom’s silence.

I remember the first words that came out of my father’s mouth. From that day on I accepted reality so I would not have to go through what I have been going through for years and years.

I remember thinking about whether I should leave for good or stay here and try to change the way my father looked upon women, like we are nothing other than the ones to feed and take care of men. But I had lost all hope from goodness in the eyes of the father who walked out of his own family, a old looking male who considers himself a man.

I could not do it. I could not get a hold of my feelings, I felt angry but I was silent. I had all sorts of things running in and out of my mind- confused I thought. Am I angry? Am I hurt? Why am I numb?

I go into the shower and kept the water running so I could cry without anyone hearing my screams. I felt like I had no control over myself, that even though at the moment I was safe, locked in the bathroom, I needed to seek permission to feel how I felt. I was trapped in my own mind- my mind that didn’t allow me the permission to feel and understand how I am.

As I rested my head on the wall the only thing I knew what I had to do was breathe. I knew no one could change what has happened; I couldn’t. I had given up on trying to integrate wisdom into a brain of a fifty-three year old who thinks of himself as a well respected and fair father and husband. I could feel my anxiety kicking in because every deep breath I took in reminded me of damaged men in my life have brought upon me- my hands and feet started to tingle.

So I took a breath.

That is all I could do. I felt the words that came out of his mouth drowning my heart. I felt suffocated. It became hard to breathe I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly trying to get control of my breathing. And at that moment breathing was the only thing that made sense to me. And that is when I realized that maybe for some of us no place in this world will ever be our home.

http://cloud-3.steamusercontent.com/ugc/644375927096586456/5BDD248194B8554E9356B7CBF4CE05563615622E/

Category: Sept 2017, Simran, Uncategorized | LEAVE A COMMENT

September 16

My Persistence In Life

Let go of what’s holding you back.

You may have many things from your past that you are holding on to, just let them go. Holding onto grudges, anger, and regret will not get you anywhere. You may be angry at your friend for some reason and if you decide to hold a grudge against something they did you will gain absolutely nothing. So, let go of that one thing in the back of your mind that is still bothering you, because it is just stored there as useless information and nothing more. Let go of that thing and see how relaxed and happy you feel once you have it off your shoulder.

All that matters is what you think of yourself!

Yeah, others have an opinion about you, some may be good ones and some may be bad ones, but all that does not matter because what they think of you does not define you. What you think about yourself is the only thing that does. Be brave enough to not believe in what others are saying about you and tell them that it does not affect your true self. Don’t ever let others judgment get the best of you. Show them you are better than what they think of you, not through words but through actions.

Reach out, someone will always be there to hold your hand.

Never be afraid to ask for help, don’t ever think seeking help is only for the weak. In fact, seeking for help is one of the bravest things. One should have the courage to ask for help when needed, whether it be at school, or for personal problems. Don’t ever hold yourself back just because you are afraid of judgment. Everyone at one point will be judged but that should never stop anyone from being able to seek help when they need it.

Don’t live in your past.

Sometimes we get hung up on things from our past and we forget to live in the moment. I was 12 years old when I first moved to Toronto, Ontario. It was my first day at my new school, I was really excited to be making new friends and to just be part of a new community. I just wanted to experience happiness and fit in. I guess that was not the plan for me. I only stayed in that school for 6 months but I may have had the worst memories. I was bullied constantly because I was myself, but my aunts had always taught me being myself was the best thing I could be, but I guess it was not true in Canada (or so I thought). It came to the point when I refused to go to school some days because I just couldn’t take it. I guess that’s when I met my best friend Vishwak. He told me he experienced the same things as I did but he never let it get to him because he did not care what others said about him. He helped move past all the obstacles I faced at my school. Just when we were getting to know each other more and started appreciating each other in our lives, I had to move, I know the most devasting, leaving my first best friend behind. We lost touch after I moved to Calgary. I was also the “new” kid in my junior when I moved to Calgary. I really taught it would be different here but I guess I was wrong AGAIN. Just because I looked different and had a different accent, it did not give them the right to treat me the way they did. This was one the hardest times of my life because, my hero and my best friend (my grandpa) was fighting for his life at the hospital, I was emotionally disturbed by the fact that I may never get to see my hero ever again. It was just even more devasting when I could not attend his funeral due to problems with my visa. This was the time I need my best friend the most but while moving I had lost all my contacts of him. I must have done something wrong to someone at some point to lose my best friend especially the time I needed him the most. I was able to reconnect with him in grade 10 but we had lost such huge parts of each other’s lives, I don’t think I will ever be able to reconnect with him. I hope one day we will be able to reconnect again because I really miss my best friend, he was there for me when no one else was. I tried staying stong every day at school, by just remember the things he had told me in Toronto. I would be lying if I said it did not help me, but it was same as him being there to tell me that everything gets better. I may have never missed him that much. I literally used to cry myself to sleep somedays because it was just something I could not take anymore. This also the time I met two people who I really admire and appreciate Shiksha and Ayushi. They were there for me in ways, I could not even imagine. But I guess everything changed when we got a new vice principal Mr. Leavitt. He was my savior, my entire junior high experience changed when he moved to our school, in many ways he was able to help me get through the pain and suffering, but I could have never gotten through my junior without the support I received from Shiksha and Ayushi. Many times I relive those moments and wonder what I had done wrong to have such heartbreaking experiences. First I lose my best friend and then my grandpa, but my friends made me realize by living reliving moments from my past I would be missing out on many opportunities that come my way. I will never forget my junior experiences because they made me who I am now, I will always miss Viskwak, his beautiful friendship and his presence in my life. And my hero, he will forever stay in my heart and in a way he gives me the strength to keep moving regardless of the obstacles I face. I know Shiksha and Ayushi will always have my back, will help me get through everything and anything I face. They are my constant reminder of the fact that I should let off the things that have happened in my past and live in the present and just enjoy it because we only live once.

Just because the world is right side up, doesn’t mean you have to be too!

The society we live in makes us believe that everyone has to be the same and being different is not okay. But I absolutely don’t believe that; everyone has their own way of expressing themselves just because it’s not your way doesn’t mean it is the wrong way. Be different, wear a red lipstick with a yellow blazer, just BE YOURSELF because there aren’t any of you in this world.

Everyone has their own definitions of “perfect”!

The word perfect has so many different meanings to it. Out of 7 billion people on this planet, every single one of them has a different definition of perfect. Just because your definition does not match mine, does not mean there are flaws in. It just means we look at the world with a different perspective. The note that is below the line, it’s just perfect the way it is. If we move it up or down, so it fits in with the rest of the notes, it will not create the same sound. The same way, if you try to change yourself because you want to fit in; you will lose the meaning of your life. Therefore, don’t worry about fitting in with your group of friends, find a group of friends where you don’t have to change who you are, where you came from, or how you want to live your life.

Category: Sept 2017, Suhaani | 8 Comments

September 29

One Left Standing

“Hey! Hello! Can you hear me? Guys?” I kept screaming. The boat was rocking with the waves. What the hell are they doing? There were two men that were sitting on a bench with water up to their butts, looking over the city, during the floods. One of the men was wearing swim shorts. These guys are insane. I inhaled, squeezing out the last breath in attempt to get their attention. “GUYS!” Finally, after the making dozens of efforts to get their attentions, I succeeded. “We’re coming to get you.” As my voice carries over the rushing water of the tides, we inch forward. He snaps away towards the gentlemen to the right of him and muttered something. As we approach the two men, the older looking gentlemen looks at us. His eyes looked like he had been tortured and was going to lose the fight. The younger man beside him put his hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

“What are you guys doing out here in this crazy weather?” I asked. The younger man answered, “My father wanted to see the city before he died. He doesn’t have long to live. In this very spot, where we are sitting, is the very first place he took me as a kid. To come here, with me, was his death wish. My father is dying. If I can’t take way his pain, the least I can do is make his last moments count.” When he was done talking, he looked at his father and gave him a hug.

The old man tried to say something, but his weak breath. He finally got the strength to say what wanted to. “Son, do you remember when your mother and I used to take you to the lake. Lake Windermere, I think. I can barely remember. Your mother was better at remembering the minor details. The trip was memorable. We did everything: skipping rocks, going swimming, having a barbeque, making sandcastles, making you laugh and smile. I loved that trip more than anything. I would adore to go there one more time before I die. Do you remember, son. Do you remember?”

The son looked at us. He said nothing but the pain behind his eyes said it all. A tear feel into his hands. That is the one memory that the both of them shared. The one memory that the Alzheimer’s hasn’t destroyed, in its path of destruction. The water is what the disease is doing, destroying everything in its path. It became clear to us that their time together was something that the two men valued more than the storm. We left them to be. I never saw him or his son ever again.

Photo Credits: Anusha S.

Category: Anusha, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Hunni Blog 30-2

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