A frangipani tree appears in my memoir - Why?

Photographs and props are often used by authors while writing memoirs. It helps jog their memory and evoke emotions.

In one of the chapters titled "Going with the flow", I mention a frangipani tree that used to be in the front yard of the house that I lived in.

Do you want to know how it relates to my memoir?

When I left my husband's house and moved into a new rented place, I faced many challenges.

1️⃣ The big empty house was scary

2️⃣ The neighborhood was new

3️⃣ I had to figure out everything from scratch

Over time and with help, I learned how to manage, although there were many surprises and setbacks along the way.

🌳One of my biggest lessons came from this frangipani tree in my front yard.

As a Mumbaikar with no gardening experience, I used to water the few plants and this one giant tree that I had inherited while signing the lease. Within a few weeks, I saw the tree shedding a large number of leaves.

😟 I was alarmed. Had I caused this majestic tree to wither thanks to my 'brown thumb' (not sure there is such a term)?

I asked our local freelance gardner for advise.

In his wise way, he told me that this is a sesonal occurence and the tree would once again revive when the weather became warmer.

I was skeptical. Naturally, I checked with Google.

And it confirmed what the gardner said. I was relieved but still impatient.

Just as I was imaptient for my life to go on. I did not like living in a limbo, not knowing how things would turn out - both for the tree and for my own life which seemed to be in the same season of loss.

My frangipani tree became an apt metaphor for my life.

When the tree began to awaken a few months later, with it's green shoots and then flowers making an appearance, I felt a palpable lifting of spirits and a small meaure of confidence that my life would sort itself out as well.

This frangipani tree features in my memoir ✍️

In my memoir, I describe the ebb and flow of my emotions during the those days when my future was extremely uncertain.

There's more in the book.

Perhaps you have felt this way too- afraid of the future while clinging to hope.

Preorder a copy of my memoir - mybook.to/happily-ever-after