“I have lived a good and honest life.” This was one of the things my mom said to me when she was in the hospital, a time I generally prefer not to look back on because it’s too painful. But today, I share this to focus on her message, not on the context or environment… Continue reading Honesty is the Best Policy
They always say to speak your mind. And my mom did a pretty good job of that — sometimes at our expense. Read these three stories to find out exactly what I’m talking about… Story 1: Years ago we’d gone to Gay 90s, one of our favorite pizza restaurants in Pleasanton. It was either with… Continue reading From Eye-Rolling to Admiration
All humans want to feel included. To feel a part of something, to know that we are accepted and embraced, whether it be among family, or friends, or colleagues, or teammates. Those of you familiar with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs — a theory in psychology representing human needs in the form of a pyramid —… Continue reading Open Hearts and Open Families
Probably the highest compliment I can receive is being compared to my mom. I think all of you reading this blog know how highly I think of her, and how — while certainly acknowledging she has flaws because she is human, and therefore imperfect — she is as special as they come. My dad has… Continue reading Just Like Mom
Three years it’s been It felt like yesterday Three years have passed It’s felt like forever. Three years they say How are you still sad? The world’s moved on So why haven’t you? Their world moves on But mine stands still. Few in this place Know love like this They don’t know What they can’t… Continue reading 4.5.18
From what I’ve heard, one of the most challenging aspects of being a parent is watching your child grow up and start a life of his or her own. A mother first gives her child life, then sustains that life through the nourishment her body provides. Over time, though, the relationship transitions away from one… Continue reading Sail On
I’ve already written a few posts about my mom’s smaller gestures and habits, but I’m back to this topic today — and likely will be again and again and again. Why? That’s my mom for you — regularly going out of her way to commit small but meaningful deeds that quickly added up to make… Continue reading Escape the Drape
With so much going on recently (like getting married!), it’s been such a long time since I’ve posted, but it feels nice to be back. Though writing a post is always a bittersweet experience for me, this blog has become something I cherish; expressing and sharing my love for my mom is something I get… Continue reading Driving with My Mama: Part 1
Last weekend, my dad, Nikhil, Shaan, and I spent a few hours starting to clean our garage at our home in Pleasanton, which was desperately overdue for a spring cleaning. We use our garage as a part storage unit, part entertainment center, part home for our cars — so in a nutshell, there’s a lot… Continue reading Beauty in the Mundane
As many of you know, in her early career my mom was on the fast track to becoming a superstar in the Hong Kong government. But after some time, she decided to sacrifice her career to start a new chapter of her life — creating a family of her own. And for years, Sanam, Nikhil, and I took… Continue reading A Lively Approach to Livelihood
Lessons from Anju 