Sweet Lemons

Live life as life Good and bad Tragedies? Be sad Blessings? Be glad Flow with the flow Only to let go Let it all be yours But know its never yours Don't be afraid  Risk it all till it fades Rise to the stars But stay on the ground Live life as life

*** This story does provide some Indian background of an Indian household. I wanted to give some context to what a few things I mentioned mean. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is a hit Hindi movie from 2001 that is a rom-com. Kheer is a north Indian version of rice pudding. Nani is the north Indian way of referring to one’s mother’s mom (grandmother on mom’s side) Dal is an Indian lentil dish. Chole is an Indian chickpea dish. Malaysian paratha is an Indian bread that is served with dishes such as Dal and Chole. Gulab jamun is a traditional Indian sweet. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is a hit Hindi movie from 1998 that is a rom-com.      I sit there, with my cozy blanket wrapped around me, watching Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, listening to the soft pitter patter of the rain outside my window, glancing at the brightly lit up Christmas tree in our living room, and filling my mouth with each bite of the warm and fresh kheer my Nani had made for me. We had just gotten back from a trip and I was r...

I see colors and displays made with great passion and curiosity. I think about the pain and sacrifice as well as the heart and spirit that went into it all in a matter of seconds to weeks. I wonder how through everything we humans are and everything we destroy, that spirit seems to find its way through. And we call that spirit, art . -Mili Nair

I see so much wisdom gained through experiences in this world. I think wisdom should be shared in schools. I wonder if we can create a very different world by doing that. A world of wonders and unconditional love for every being and all nature. -anonymous

I see a mirror. I think and ask why is he in there? I wonder if he will ever make it out... -anonymous 

     I excitedly pressed the red button on my mom's phone to start the video recording on the camera app, then rushed over to the Alexa on the other side of our black marble kitchen counter. I requested the Bollywood radio station that I had memorized due to my dad playing it every time we cooked, danced, and just lived ever since we moved into this house. As a Hindi song started playing that I had a memory of listening to before, I skipped to the center of the kitchen and stood on the tan, plain wood floor as I double-checked to see if the camera was recording my every move. When I was sure it was, I started wiggling my fingers and legs in every which way possible to recreate some of the Bollywood dances I had seen in movies. With each word sung on the radio station, I would pause in the most dramatic ways, like I was a famous actress performing live for millions. I spun, twirled, and whirled, swayed all ways, a...