During my growing years, fire threats are a known risk to our Delhi neighborhood. The apartment is the entire third floor of a large, three-tiered building. The ground floor houses a sawmill and a massive timber warehouse, “Abbott Sawing and Lumber.” Mr. Abbott and his son attend their office six days a week. Small clusters ...

Shashi has been an inpatient at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences for the last several months. Her mom, my paternal aunt, is her caretaker. Auntie stays with her day and night at the hospital, sleeping in a chair. She faces immense coercion from the staff to leave with her child, but she refuses to ...

A slow trickle of information, spanning years, helps me become more familiar with Pal Bhapaji and his household. The partition of India and Pakistan, displace the family. They lose their home and belongings, and arrive in Delhi as refugees. All of them, including Pal’s parents, wife Leela, and his sisters, Harsh and Santosh, comprise the ...

It’s the early fifties, and the city of Delhi is expanding outside its boundaries. It is advisable to return from distant sightseeing trips or visits before sundown. Despite this expansion over the past 500 years, the iconic Qutab Minar (tower) stands several miles away from city limits. New townships are sprouting far away from the ...

Darkness filled the room with silence, the only sound available to me. My juvenile body felt a heavy weight. The rush of worry was loud and blaring like a fire engine. What could this feeling be? How did it appear out of nowhere? I didn’t have the answers to my questions or the words for ...

Doubt starts to grow when the first wind blows through Time occupies the dark plane all alone Left with the thought that there’s nothing to do Doubt starts to grow when the first wind blows through No longer sure of the things one once knew Or what direction to take to get home Doubt starts ...

Anxiety is a friend of mine. Friend may not be the right word; we have a love/hate relationship. Why? Anxiety is a liar. The constant thread of information filing through my brain is anything but reliable. Since my anxiety is here to stay, it is my job to see the truth and speak logic into ...

Shivering Leaves, forced by the power of the wind, form a circle. Threatened, the need for circle time has never been greater; the need to look into each other’s eyes has not been more real. Holding hands, this empowering moment will last through their lifetimes.

February 1, 2023 at 9 a.m. “Where is my wife Stacey?” asks John. Answer: “Stacey is out shopping. You are spending the day with us.” John: “Oh! Okay then. Where can I park myself?” Answer: “Right here on this chair. We will be starting a fun program singing patriotic songs.” John: “Oh! Okay.” 10:00 a.m. ...

A New-Path Last week, I started on medication for anxiety and depression. I never imagined I couldn’t handle it on my own. Life has been pretty good, all things considered. People don’t have homes, or access to food, water, or safe housing. Fortunately, I’ve never been without any basic needs. White privilege and two working ...