Rekha's Ramblings

  For the past two days, my heart has felt heavy, over the loss of all of our rose bushes, 12 of them to be precise. They once brought me immense joy.  Even today, I almost didn't step outside. But then something unexpected happened. My neighbor stopped by with fresh vegetables from his garden. He invited me into his yard to admire his beautiful daisies. We chatted for a while, and somehow, that little act of kindness was enough to get me out the door.                     So I stepped outside. It was hot. It was humid. But somehow... it felt better. As I wandered through  my yard, I did something I hadn't done in a couple of days. I looked up. In the midst of the sadness over losing my roses, I had forgotten that nature never puts all of its beauty into one flower. I had forgotten that nature has a remarkable way of making room for new beauty, even while we're grieving what we've lost. It's crepe myrtle season, and my...

  Yesterday, we said goodbye to all of our roses. They fell victim to a disease called Rose Rosette Disease , and there was no saving them. If you would like to read more about it, here is a link,  https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/pest-management/what-rose-rosette-disease? If you've followed me for a while, you know these weren't "just" rose bushes.  They had become part of my daily life. Over the years, they greeted me every morning, rewarded me with beautiful blooms, and reminded me to slow down and notice the little things.                                                  When our children left home and we became empty nesters, I found myself caring for these roses with even greater affection. They became my babies in a different season of life. I celebrated every new bud, photographed every bloom, and found comfort in their quiet, faithful pr...

  Some days just don’t go right and today is one of those days.  I was already running behind this morning after barely sleeping last night, worried about my family in India. And then I looked outside. My rose bushes apparently have some sort of virus. The same rose bushes I have admired for years, the ones that have brought me immense joy,  season after season, are now infected with something called “ rose rosette disease.                                                     My once very beautiful Roses. For those who have never heard of it, rose rosette disease causes roses to grow strangely deformed stems, leaves, and flowers. It slowly destroys the plant. Anyone else ever dealt with this? If you would like to read more about it , here is a link.  Rose Rosette Disease: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention I have twelve rose bushes. ...

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...