Lakshmi Iyer's Blog, page 40
December 7, 2018
Walking In Place
The breeze caresses my face, I can feel the sand in between my toes. I am running slowly, the thin material of my shirt sticking to my back in a way that is not entirely unpleasant. My eyes are closed. Arijit’s voice is crooning in my ear. The digital beep of my elliptical brings me […]
December 6, 2018
Equal Not Same
Laddu and I are at the library. She sports her gingerbread man shaped name tag with pride. Her eyes are bright, curious and taking everything in. The diminutive lady running the pre-k program at the library recognizes her even though it is only her second time there. The little table in front of us has […]
December 2, 2018
Love Is All That Matters
My iWatch shows 6:46 AM. The king size bed I am in is curiously populated. I am on one side almost at the edge of my side. My youngest is way past the middle on dad’s side of the bed. A little away is Pattu breathing heavily and making it known she is awake and […]
November 30, 2018
Be Careful What You Wish For
A few weeks back as I nuzzled the top of Laddu’s head as she curled up against me in the afternoon, I felt an intense need to keep her close and never let go. It hit me that this child will soon be in Kindergarten, taking the bus with her sisters. This time I get […]
November 26, 2018
Losses Unknown
“Can you show me a picture of thatha?” Laddu asks, thrusting an old album at me. “Sure!” I say as I flip open the book. In my head, I am thinking Giri thatha, my Appa who never knew his granddaughters. I know though that she is talking about Rajamani thatha, the only one she has […]
November 21, 2018
Book Review: Little Ustaads Arts Books
A few months ago, Smita Jain of Little Ustaads Arts contacted me asking if I would be interested in reviewing a couple of their books. I checked their website and was intrigued. They sent two books over. I was struck by the rich colors of the cover as soon as I opened the packet. Before […]
November 20, 2018
Things I Am Grateful For This Year
My phone dings as I walk, interrupting the mellifluous voice of M.S. Subbulakshmi. I ignore the sound and continue walking. The air is chill and my nose is dripping. In the forty minutes that I take to circle the seventy odd homes that comprise my development, I see no other humans. I am home, mildly […]
November 15, 2018
Epiphany: You Hold The Keys In Your Hand
Amma and I are on the phone. “In our entire extended family, whom do you think is the most successful,” I ask. “What do you mean? In what sense?” she counters. “Whatever is your parameter for success,” I say and wait patiently for her to reply. I can almost hear her mental wheels spinning. She […]
November 12, 2018
#NAM2018 National Adoption Awareness Month: What Can Adoptive Parents Do?
Each November adoptionland is rife with op-eds, hashtags, conferences, panels and social media blitzes by all members of the triad. #FlipTheScript was all I heard over the past few years. I listened hard and reflected on what I heard. Some years, I wrote about my experience with openness in the context of our lives. This […]
November 10, 2018
Pontificating On Spirituality
It is a blustery morning. I am bundled up as I head for my morning walk. I am glad for the warm wool scarf around my neck that also obscures the wires from the earphone snaking to my pocket. This morning, I choose to start with Venkateshwara Suprabatham. M.S. Subbulakshmi crooning into my ears is […]
