So heartwarming and so desperately heartbreaking too. I loved the gentleness with which you introduced her and then opened her up petal by petal. There is so much resilience in her that you curate from her life. It’s a lovely portrait of a strong woman with her idiosyncrasies that makes us human. Thank you.
This is such a beautiful, joyous, heart-led and heartbreaking essay. You have taken grief and then mixed it up with joy, love and celebration of woman who was so courageous. I feel like I know Minu Tai so well.
Beautiful and amazing writing inspired by a beautiful and amazing woman! Thank you for sharing Minu Tai with us. It probably wasn't easy. It makes me also want to celebrate the women in my life whose quiet presence(s) have made a huge difference even when I didn't know. Warm wishes for your writing (and all the living it stems from)
Ronita it feels strange when I first read Raju’s Loving Minu Tai story , my mind recalled your essay about a family you had visited where the protagonist’s quiet acceptant calm despite her tormented life seemed both surreal and awe-inspiring
Thank you, Ronita!! I was over the moon with your comment...Thank you for your warm wishes.. You are as generous as Neena has been ❤️🌺 Cheers to reminding each other of our old pieces and what we remember of them!
A million hugs back. Especially hugging the terrified part, and the part that just wants to make more time and space for it before confronting it. Love and power.
Poignance, sorrow, love, resilience, grace, profoundness ... Minu Tai & you dear Raju evoke all these and more.
What do I say! You just brought to the fore a touching story of grief, growth & grace.
I am deeply moved & grateful.
Minu Tai's spirit lives on. Somehow I feel you will continue to secretly hope and wait for your favourite dish to be spoilt by some one so loving.
And I know you will continue to cheer for and support million other such Minu Tais, lost in the dark invisible corners of abusive & tormenting households. Who knows there is one right in front of you! But the tight social masks will keep the truth concealed. May Minu Tai's resilient spirit awaken life in all such invisible Minu Tais.
Gratitude dear Raju & love.
PS - feels warm and heartening to know my essays reach your heart.
Neena, not just your essays, but the sense of purpose that is so dissolved in your words. Your work is much needed. You make grief seem and feel like more than just sudden derailing, a path worth its own journey. Thanks for sharing it here. And for responding to this. Lots of love and gratitude.
How do I thank you in words dear Ronita … you’re always there warm & wise support means so much to me … hope to recover soon and return to my long waiting newsletter
My heart broke a little while reading this powerful piece, Raju. Sending you a big tight virtual hug and praying for strength for everyone whose lives Minu Tai made better with her food and smiles ❤
so heart touching,in 2 page reading i have felt her whole life as a running movie in front of my eyes.A beautifull narration of a beautifull character.May God rest her soul in eternel peace.
I loved re-reading this essay, Raju! Somehow the image that stays with me is her on her cycle delivering dabbas. Knowing that the money from her hard work will help support her husband's drinking habit is heart breaking. She must have loved you hugely for being the little cousin that supported her the most.💖💖
I am sure she felt your love, and was grateful for your little girl support even then. I've found that regret interrupts and clogs the river of love when we grieve someone. So moved to see your spirit, so moved to have begun my day with this tribute. Wishing you so much strength and sending hugs. ❤️
So heartwarming and so desperately heartbreaking too. I loved the gentleness with which you introduced her and then opened her up petal by petal. There is so much resilience in her that you curate from her life. It’s a lovely portrait of a strong woman with her idiosyncrasies that makes us human. Thank you.
Oh man—"opened her up petal by petal" is the perfect way of describing the form of this essay! I was looking for it all day!
❤️🧡💗
Thanks a lot Gargi, I am so touched by the way you read this, and responded to it. 🧡🌺
This is such a beautiful, joyous, heart-led and heartbreaking essay. You have taken grief and then mixed it up with joy, love and celebration of woman who was so courageous. I feel like I know Minu Tai so well.
Thanks a lot, Manisha.. I feel so happy that her courageous essence is being seen by another courageous woman.. :)
Beautiful and amazing writing inspired by a beautiful and amazing woman! Thank you for sharing Minu Tai with us. It probably wasn't easy. It makes me also want to celebrate the women in my life whose quiet presence(s) have made a huge difference even when I didn't know. Warm wishes for your writing (and all the living it stems from)
Ronita it feels strange when I first read Raju’s Loving Minu Tai story , my mind recalled your essay about a family you had visited where the protagonist’s quiet acceptant calm despite her tormented life seemed both surreal and awe-inspiring
Thank you, Ronita!! I was over the moon with your comment...Thank you for your warm wishes.. You are as generous as Neena has been ❤️🌺 Cheers to reminding each other of our old pieces and what we remember of them!
I love our little community of mutual affirmation & support. Thanks of-course to dear @NATASHABADHWAR for bringing us to each other
Evocative.
Thanks, Reuben.. :)
Coming from a place where I am terrified to confront my own grief. Reading this gives strength. Thank you for sharing and a million hugs. Love.
A million hugs back. Especially hugging the terrified part, and the part that just wants to make more time and space for it before confronting it. Love and power.
Thank you for this beautiful tribute to Minu Tai. Perhaps death is the ultimate cleanser of our relationships.
Thanks Natasha. If you hadn't shared your essays, I would have kept this in my diary. Lots of warmth to you. ❤️🌻
Poignance, sorrow, love, resilience, grace, profoundness ... Minu Tai & you dear Raju evoke all these and more.
What do I say! You just brought to the fore a touching story of grief, growth & grace.
I am deeply moved & grateful.
Minu Tai's spirit lives on. Somehow I feel you will continue to secretly hope and wait for your favourite dish to be spoilt by some one so loving.
And I know you will continue to cheer for and support million other such Minu Tais, lost in the dark invisible corners of abusive & tormenting households. Who knows there is one right in front of you! But the tight social masks will keep the truth concealed. May Minu Tai's resilient spirit awaken life in all such invisible Minu Tais.
Gratitude dear Raju & love.
PS - feels warm and heartening to know my essays reach your heart.
Neena, not just your essays, but the sense of purpose that is so dissolved in your words. Your work is much needed. You make grief seem and feel like more than just sudden derailing, a path worth its own journey. Thanks for sharing it here. And for responding to this. Lots of love and gratitude.
“Grief” as I say is “cry of love”. And your tribute to Minu Tai shows just how ❤️
Neena...your writing is a gift. And it finds it's way to so many hearts and souls.
How do I thank you in words dear Ronita … you’re always there warm & wise support means so much to me … hope to recover soon and return to my long waiting newsletter
My heart broke a little while reading this powerful piece, Raju. Sending you a big tight virtual hug and praying for strength for everyone whose lives Minu Tai made better with her food and smiles ❤
Thank you, dear Mahima 💖💜
it is not easy to write about grief. thanks for this piece.
Thank you so much, Shalini..
so heart touching,in 2 page reading i have felt her whole life as a running movie in front of my eyes.A beautifull narration of a beautifull character.May God rest her soul in eternel peace.
Shukriya ❤️🌺
Raju, thank you for sharing this beautiful piece on your relationship with your cousin, Minu tai. May she finally rest in peace.
Thank you, Neeta...Looking forward to reading you again too.. ❤️🌺
Heartwarming.... Sad but inspiring
❤️🌺 Thank you, Pankhi
I loved re-reading this essay, Raju! Somehow the image that stays with me is her on her cycle delivering dabbas. Knowing that the money from her hard work will help support her husband's drinking habit is heart breaking. She must have loved you hugely for being the little cousin that supported her the most.💖💖
Thank you for re-reading Alaknanda.. Lots of love for your kind words. ❤️🌺
I am so moved🥺
Aww.. thank you for allowing that to happen.. ❤️🌺
Heartwarming. 🥺
I am sure she felt your love, and was grateful for your little girl support even then. I've found that regret interrupts and clogs the river of love when we grieve someone. So moved to see your spirit, so moved to have begun my day with this tribute. Wishing you so much strength and sending hugs. ❤️
Thank you so much Dhruvi for reading and responding, especially for that first line. 🌺🌺 It feels special. Hugs back.
Such a beautiful memorial! Sending you hugs
Thanks ❤️ and warm hugs back:)