Rekha's Ramblings

  Another year gone by! When I started looking back at the year, I went in my rabbit hole of how I had accomplished nothing. This year, I let my work, professional license go, the one I went to college for ; so I was really gone to the bottom of my rabbit hole of nothingness. I started scrolling through this year's pictures and then stumbled upon a memory of my first born and I from the summer and it came back to me. I had accomplished a lot this year. I had moved 3 children from their dorm rooms from 3 different locations back home. I  then moved 3 children from home into their dorm rooms by myself in two different states, one requiring almost 12 hours of driving one way. I was on the road a lot, I moved mountains, I climbed mountains, (metaphoric and literal ). Not only did I read more books  this year than last year but I also read different genres of books, books suggested by friends, the ones I probably wouldn't have read on my own; I checked a few items off m...

 A couple of months ago, I attended my first estate sale. I had seen the flyers advertising the hours and was curious about what it would be like. Although I’ve lived in the U.S. for a number of years, this was a new experience for me. When I stepped inside the house, I found myself walking through a life frozen in time. The house belonged to someone who had recently passed away, and everything had to be sold before the property went on the market. There was stuff everywhere. It didn’t take long to realize that this person had likely traveled the world—there were souvenirs from all over. I noticed clothing with price tags still attached, scarves, purses, shoes still in their boxes, and university merchandise - also untouched; kitchen brimming with platters, dishes, and vases. Judging by all the items, I assumed a single woman must have lived there. Perhaps she had attended a prestigious university, or maybe it was her children who had. I picked up a few items, but something s...

  It’s December, the season of giving. It’s a time to reflect on our blessings, extend a hand to those in need, and support causes that resonate deeply with us. It’s the time when we open our hearts—and sometimes our wallets—to causes that speak to us.   But let’s be honest: it’s also the time when the lines between passion and pressure can blur. Amidst goodwill and generosity, this season also brings an important lesson: charity is personal. I got calls from two people, you know the kind you get around the holidays, soliciting donations? When I said no thank you, the caller almost became belligerent. How could I not give??? A few Years ago, I used to be upset with people I knew for not donating to my personal favorite charities. Those causes meant everything to me. I couldn’t understand why they didn’t resonate with everyone else. But then, a simple conversation over chai with a dear friend shifted my perspective. I shared my disappointment about how no one in my ci...

  Exercise? I Thought You Said Accessorize! I used to be that person, the one who always found a reason to avoid exercise. But I’m happy to say that’s no longer the case.   As a healthcare professional, I understood the benefits of staying active, yet I was “too busy” taking care of others or at least that was the lie I told myself. But all that changed during and because of the pandemic. I challenged myself with a goal of walking 10,000 steps a day, and I achieved it almost every day, save for a few here and there.   For those who don’t know me, let me confess; I used to take my children to the local Y for their activities and spend that time sitting on a comfy sofa reading a book instead of exercising. I simply wasn’t ready then. That’s how I wanted to spend my “ME” time. Here is a picture of me from those days, courtesy of a friend.    They say that it takes 21 days to either form a new habit or break an existing one. And I did it. I changed my habit....

I am a mom of three grown kids, college kids. Like every parent who has children away from home, I was waiting eagerly to have them home for Thanksgiving, even if it would be brief; the house to be full again, the sound of music in the house once again. I imagined lots of dinners, them sharing stories, and some unhurried moments. Then they came; they were busy with homework the whole time. The piano, which I had dreamed of hearing again, was played just once. My heart was full to hear my favorite tunes. The first born was not as busy as the younger ones and he accompanied me on my daily walks; just the two of us, catching up. It felt like a small gift, between assignments and deadlines. My heart was full. We had all the dinners together at home and then, just like that, they left. Younger ones had to leave early as they are in marching band, and they had to go back for their college rivalry game. And even though they work just as hard as band students, it's always all...