Slaying demons is not the only kind of courage there is. Sometimes, courage is a silent force whispering love, hope and kindness. First written for a prompt at an Ochre Sky Memoir Writing Workshop.
Beautiful words! The women (and some men) around us model stoic courage in so many ways. It comes from experience. It comes from genetics. I try and remember that it takes effort too! Thanks for writing this.
Thanks for reminding me Alaknanda -- through those beautifully written vivid details and moments --- that courage is not something a chosen few summon from some rare reserve, but an everyday emotion snuck into the act of living daily 🧡
(Nishi ke gorgeous art ne chaar chaand laga diye ✨)
Dear Alaknanda, This piece makes me look back and see forward into the life that it still to be...My daugher is 7 years old. My eyes welled up reading the sentence where you say that your daugher has loved you more than anyone ever will. I feel the love of my own daughter and wonder what it would be like years from now... Thank you! This was so heart felt a piece. It didn't even knock at my heart, it just walked right in. Sending a big hug!
Those quiet domestic details - your mother baking in the pressure cooker, throwing picnic mats on grass, studying journalism by kitchen light - they tell such a profound story about strength. <3
Such a tender tale of love and courage. Your words made me teary eyed Alaknanda. There is still much to learn from our mothers and daughters - may they always be the light that shines during our darkest hours.
Dearest Alaknanda, you have no idea how much my heart needed to read this essay. I have tears in my eyes as I process all that you have shared. Your words don't just tell stories of courage, they also show others the way to it in their own lives. Thank you for writing this. ❤️
My favourite Substack read this weak. Lovely ode to your mother and daughter. I remember you telling us about your mother’s childhood during one of the early writing sessions.
I see where you get your childlike wonder and indomitable spirit from. Thank you for this opportunity to read and to be a small part of this piece.
Oh, Nishi! This was one of the most happy things I have done this year. And I am looking forward to more!😊💖
Me too 💯💯💓💓
Creative collaboration ho toh aisa! Lots of love to both of you.
Beautiful words! The women (and some men) around us model stoic courage in so many ways. It comes from experience. It comes from genetics. I try and remember that it takes effort too! Thanks for writing this.
Thank you for reading! So true!😊🩵
Thanks for reminding me Alaknanda -- through those beautifully written vivid details and moments --- that courage is not something a chosen few summon from some rare reserve, but an everyday emotion snuck into the act of living daily 🧡
(Nishi ke gorgeous art ne chaar chaand laga diye ✨)
Uff Nishi ke drawings!🩵🩵 Thank you, Swaati...snuck into the act of living is so apt! 😊
Dear Alaknanda, This piece makes me look back and see forward into the life that it still to be...My daugher is 7 years old. My eyes welled up reading the sentence where you say that your daugher has loved you more than anyone ever will. I feel the love of my own daughter and wonder what it would be like years from now... Thank you! This was so heart felt a piece. It didn't even knock at my heart, it just walked right in. Sending a big hug!
Thank you so much for reading and feeling! 🩵🫂😊
Uff!! Praising two generations in one mighty essay. So so lovely. I read bits and parts but aaj poora padha. Poora pet bhar gaya! Bohot sundar.
Mighty is not a word I would have thought of for this essay🤗🤗🤗❤️
Those quiet domestic details - your mother baking in the pressure cooker, throwing picnic mats on grass, studying journalism by kitchen light - they tell such a profound story about strength. <3
Thank you for reading and feeling the details!😊🩵
Such a tender tale of love and courage. Your words made me teary eyed Alaknanda. There is still much to learn from our mothers and daughters - may they always be the light that shines during our darkest hours.
Oh yes...our mothers and daughters!! 😊🩵
Dearest Alaknanda, you have no idea how much my heart needed to read this essay. I have tears in my eyes as I process all that you have shared. Your words don't just tell stories of courage, they also show others the way to it in their own lives. Thank you for writing this. ❤️
Hugs hugs hugs Parool🩵 I am so happy this meant so much to you!
What a tender and beautiful piece / courage truly is love 🩷 thank you for sharing!
Thank you for reading! Yes....love!😊🩵
My favourite Substack read this weak. Lovely ode to your mother and daughter. I remember you telling us about your mother’s childhood during one of the early writing sessions.
That means so much, Binu!🩵😊
This is so beautiful ❤️
Thank you for being such a good reader, Sanobar!😊💙
Beautiful words and feelings. Thank you for writing this 💕
Thank you for reading!🩵😊