Ladakh, revisited.

“Not everyone will understand your journey. That's fine. It's not their journey to make sense of. It's yours.” - Zero Dean

3 months ago, after a short holiday in Ladakh we returned with loads of memories. Usually at the end of every trip I would be happy to be back home and settle into my routine.

But this time it was different.

While I got myself busy unpacking, sorting laundry and souvenirs, it suddenly dawned on me that something was missing.

I had left my heart behind! 🩵

It had stayed back amongst the snow-capped mountains, the bluest of skies, the calmest of lakes and the humblest of people. Never had I experienced the kind of peace that I felt there. Never have I fallen in love with a place like this that I could not stop thinking of going back.

Well, maybe there was more to it than what Ladakh offered to me.

During our visit, I was at my lowest. Only a couple of weeks prior, we faced a loss in our family. I was struggling to make sense of the fragility of life. The endless mountainscape, serene tranquility and mesmerising beauty felt like a warm hug to my grieving heart. Like they say, the mountains healed me.

But what do I do with this immense longing to go back again that was kind of crippling my normal functioning?

Well, life is shorter than we think it is so I decided to listen to my heart and follow it like I always do! I was pretty sure it knew its way.  A few heartfelt conversations with family, practical planning and our tickets were booked.

We chose a week of enriching travel and cultural experiences over school as I believe not all learning happens within the confines of a classroom.

From lessons on humility and gratitude, forming friendships across cultures, visiting quaint little villages, appreciating simple living to sharing smiles and stories with hardworking locals - this time we were not mere tourists but empathetic travellers on a humble learning journey.

Oh, what a wholesome journey it has been! 🙏🏻

While I found my heart, a part of it will always remain lost in the Himalayas ⛰️

Life

They say time heals,

But this heart is still hurting.

Grief comes in waves,

Unannounced, with no warning.

A loss teaches you more,

Than life can ever.

Each of us are here,

On a preset timer.

We are ignorant,

Of what is coming.

Of the hows and whys,

Of God's timing.

Just say those ‘I love you’s,

Often and out loud.

Sprinkle kindness like confetti,

Spread joy all around.

Guard your inner peace,

No one else can do it for you.

Make meaningful connections,

With people who make your heart bloom.

Travel far and wide,

Collect memories that matter to you.

For at the end of it all,

That's all we are left with, to hold on to.

Follow your heart,

Listen and soak it all in.

Make your limited time here,

Truly worth it.

Put on that smile.

Humbled with gratitude.

Stay grounded at all times,

For that's where we all go back to.

Live your life wholly,

Let there be no regrets.

The show might end,

Just about any minute.

Ladakh

With a hurting heart,

And unanswered ‘why’s.

Along with my boys,

I flew across the skies.

Through the nip in the air,

Our welcome felt warm.

To the land of high passes,

Oh, beautiful Ladakh.

Where the water doesn't rush,

It flows by choice.

The blissful silence is louder,

Than my garbled inner voice.

Turquoise rivers and lakes,

Mountains in shades of chocolate.

Valleys oh so dreamy,

My mind settled into a happy state.

A language of kindness,

Is spoken here.

Their humility is contagious.

Making me want to be better.

The bluest of skies,

The purest of air.

Of serene tranquility,

I had my fair share.

My heart aches a little lesser,

Blurring away some unspoken fears.

Calmed by the peace,

The prayer flags whispered in my ears.

It's unmatched natural beauty,

Has me allured.

Ladakh ne Leh liya mera dil,

I will be back for sure.

She Knows

She knows,

When something is amiss.

The droop in the shoulders,

The unhappy lips.

She knows,

He likes his dosas crisp.

Yogurt with every meal,

Oats with lotsa choco chips.

She knows,

Everything else can wait.

When he needs her to set,

His world back up straight.

She knows,

Where that sock is shoved away.

The shirt that needs a mend,

The fav tee he'll reach out for, today.

She knows,

The inside jokes.

His benchmate at school.

That ouchie on the toe.

She knows,

He's upset with his buddy.

Is dealing with a broken heart,

That's riddled with saddies.

She knows,

The lessons for his Monday's test.

Pencils that need sharpening,

Drawer pleading a full reset.

She knows,

The grin would get wider,

So, she shows up.

His forever cheerleader.

She knows,

She is his haven, his calm.

Battles her own chaos,

To ensure his show goes on.

Overwhelmed sometimes,

Her head feels loaded.

Being tuned in all day,

Always needed.

She tumbles at times,

Only to rise up stronger. 

She knows she got this,

Cos... she is a Mother ✨

Friendship Woes

She looked around at the faces,

Trying to blend in.

Making friends anew in her 40s,

Was harder than she had imagined.

"How tough could it be?"

She wondered prior to the party.

"Our kids are all school buddies,

It will be fun to meet fellow Mommies."

After some friendly banter,

And genuine attempts at socialising.

Cheeks sore from fake smiling,

Her social battery was draining.

Lovely people, each of them.

But she couldn't match their vibes.

"I am done. Let's go home!"

Screamed her inner voice.

It's funny she felt that way,

She yearned for company just the other day.

All she wanted then was to step outside,

And now, at home she wanted to stay.

At times she struggles to decipher,

What her heart really wants.

For the last almost a decade,

Motherhood has taken precedence.

She's been busy,

Nurturing her own blessed little world.

Tending to every need,

Even before they are spoken aloud.

Amidst her beautiful chaos,

Wholesome connections her heart seeks.

Effortless friendships,

The ones that instantly click.

With her preferences no longer just her's,

Priorities given a makeover.

She finds her calm in the familiar,

In the treasured handful, who just 'get her' 💛