Exactly 20 years ago to this day, my family and I first set foot
in the "Land of Opportunity", America. We were here on invitation of
the U.S Government, my father representing the Indian Navy. For 11 months,
families from 33 countries including my own were guests of the Naval Command
College in Newport, R.I.
My most vivid memories are of my mother in her silk zari sari with
her bindi, happy, content and unfazed in the midst of Admirals, foreign
dignitaries and women from all over the world; asking her why she wore a bindi
and why she didn't eat meat. My father would shovel the driveway after the
first snow storm and leave a path of his footprints in 2 feet of snow for us to
follow. As a child it was always a game for me to try to place my foot in
exactly the same spot, trying to follow my father's footsteps. Now those
moments mean much more.
Because that year in Newport, my parents taught me to look for the
commonalities in people. That everyone is essentially the same. And what
matters in life is the “human experience”. To say that this was a life changing
experience would be an understatement. For the first time in my life I was part
of something bigger than myself. I became aware of my "Indianess" and
I don't mean that in a bad way. But to realize a sense of identity at age 8
blew open the doors of the world to me. My best friends were from Morocco and
Ghana. Play time was spent eating couscous and jicama. I had lived
through “culture shock” without even realizing it.
When I returned to India I was two distinct identities existing in
one. For years my brother and I would joke that we were probably American in our past lives. We learnt that one cannot live life like a frog in a well. And that is what my parents
taught us. I write this today as an ode to my parents. Not for their
accomplishments and there are many, but to remember the life lessons they
imparted. For life is about the people you meet and the memories you make.
Happy Anniversary, mom and dad! 37 years and what a grand life!
