Rekha's Ramblings

  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 ...