Rekha's Ramblings

Last Christmas, I was in Jacksonville, Florida, attending my kids’ marching band event. What made the trip even more special was that some of our longtime friends live there. Life has a funny way of keeping us busy. Though we were only ever a phone call away, somehow months — sometimes years — slipped by between meaningful conversations. Children, jobs, responsibilities, schedules… life kept moving. So when we finally sat down together and started chatting and catching up, it felt comforting, familiar, and almost therapeutic. At one point, my friend asked me, “So what are you up to these days now that you’re an empty nester? What do you like to do?” I laughed and replied, “I gave up my job completely. Now I walk and watch TV.” Simple answer. But honestly, there was a lot hidden in those few words. Walking has kept me going. What actually brought this entire conversation back to my mind recently was my brother-in-law visiting us. During his stay, he became completely fascinated with the...

A friend recently brought me a box full of lilies from their yard. What a lovely gift. Yesterday, my firstborn helped me plant them in the backyard. We spent some time digging, planting, and imagining the beautiful blooms that will hopefully greet us in the seasons to come. After we finished, he carried the empty boxes into the garage. "Why did you put those in here?" I asked. "They belong in the recycling bin." Without missing a beat, he replied, "Have you taken a look at your garage? You guys"—referring to his parents—"are hoarders who never discard anything, so I assumed you'd want to keep these boxes as well." Hmmmmm... Guilty as charged. His comment made me laugh, but it also made me think. As an immigrant from the Indian subcontinent, I arrived in this country over three decades ago with just two suitcases. Two suitcases contained everything I owned and everything I thought I might need for my new life. Today, if you were to peek into m...

  Nurturing and nourishing my soul. How? By walking, wandering, and wondering. Some people find therapy in a quiet room.  Others find it in a good book, a heartfelt conversation, or a favorite song.  I find mine outdoors, surrounded by nature. There is something incredibly healing about stepping outside and allowing my feet to lead the way.  Nature has a way of slowing me down. It reminds me that not everything needs to be rushed.  In a world that constantly demands more, faster, and better, nature simply exists—and somehow that is enough. And when I am wandering, I often find myself wondering, about the powers that be,    the politicians, the leaders, the decision-makers whose choices affect billions of lives, w ho decide the fate of the billions of us.  Do they ever stop to smell the flowers? Do they pause to admire the colors of a sunset? Do they notice the little things? I sometimes think that if they did, perhaps the world would be a...

  Do you see it? At first glance, it may look like nothing more than a stick lying on the ground. Weathered by sun and rain, perhaps overlooked by most people passing by. But I see something more. I see kindness, a random act. Over the years, I have availed myself of this simple act many times. On walks through parks, nature trails, and uneven paths, I have come across a sturdy branch thoughtfully modified into a walking stick. Sometimes I needed it for balance. Sometimes it simply made the journey easier. And each time, when I was done, I left it behind for the next person. No names exchanged. No expectations. No recognition sought. Just one person helping another person they will likely never meet. What makes this small gesture so special is that it serves more than one purpose. It is an act of kindness, but it is also an act of stewardship. A fallen branch is given a second life. It becomes an example of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Something discarded by nature becomes use...

  Often times, I wander into my imaginary bubble. A picture of me in my "bubble" by my daughter. A soft, quiet place where life feels gentler. Kinder. Safer. In this bubble, every child has parents who stay. Parents who are present, involved, loving. No child wonders if they matter. No child falls asleep feeling abandoned. In this bubble , children feel safe — inside their homes and outside of them. They can walk to school without fear. They can play outside until the streetlights come on. Their laughter fills neighborhoods instead of sirens. There is food on the table. Nothing extravagant. Sometimes just a peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut into triangles. But it is enough. Enough to quiet hungry stomachs and remind children they are cared for. In this bubble, education belongs to everyone. Girls do not have to fight for the right to learn. Every child gets the chance to dream, to discover who they are, to build a future. In this bubble , there is no rape. No te...

  We celebrate Mother's day here in the US every second sunday of May.  And today is that day.  Forget buying the flowers or making a special meal for me. Nobody in my family even remembers to say, “ Happy Mother’s Day .” And honestly, that’s okay. Years ago, I taught my children that love is not something meant for just one day on the calendar. We always believed that every day is special, and somewhere along the way, they truly embraced that philosophy. Because to me, every day becomes Mother’s Day when my children are kind to one another and to the people around them. Every day is Mother’s Day when they make sure no one feels left behind. Every day is Mother’s Day when they offer a helping hand to someone who needs it. And I know they do all of those things. So how can I measure motherhood by bouquets, brunches, or greeting cards when the real reward is watching your children grow into compassionate human beings? That was the gift all along.  Those v...

  May is the month when we celebrate Mother’s Day , and it is also Mental Health Awareness Month. So I decided to write about both of them. The moment you learn you are expecting a baby, life takes a different turn. From that point on, everything revolves around the baby—its well-being, its health, the financial security you can provide, and its safety. And when the baby arrives, the joy of holding your little one for the first time is unmatched. Then come the saga of the  sleepless nights ,The constant cycle of feeding,changing diapers,  soothing, and worrying . Your world shifts overnight, and somehow, you are expected to just know what to do. You question yourself more than you ever have before: Am I doing enough? Am I doing this right? But that doesn’t mean you can pause or quit— there is no time for that. You have to  keep showing up. We often tell new parents to “soak it all in,” and yes, there is so much to soak in. But what we don’t talk about enough ...