Day 6 — Dear relatives/family I’m fond of

Note: I’ve had a lot of trouble dealing with my extended family in general. Each one increasingly gave me reasons not to like them. Whether it’s their constant interference in my life (or that of my immediate family’s), or it’s their irreversible need to show off about how and why they perceive their families to be better…it was all unnecessary growing up. And it made me loathe them, for a while in my life. Then I realised it wasn’t worth my time and energy. So, I just focused on the select few that brought happiness to me. This is for them.

Dear relatives/family I’m fond of,

When I started this letter, I actually realised that there were not many people I’d write this to.

To start with, my grandmom. Probably the MOST amazing lady I’ve been blessed with. She’s been such a wonderful light in my life, shining happiness whenever I am around her. She has stuff to talk to me about that are about world happenings, local news and gossip, or just plain family stuff. But at the same time, if I wanted to ramble on about something, I know she’ll always be willing to listen to me. She is probably one of the most forward thinking of a lot of people in her age group from our culture, and for that I will forever be grateful. For the little quirks that come with it all, I love you!

Next, some of my wonderful family (though distant) in the US. Each one of you – N, K, Shu and Chi – and your parents have just been absolutely amazing people, for whatever time we have gotten to spend with each other. I cherish the fact that I have such inspirational people in my life to look up to, and to stand together with. Thank you, and I love you, for being such delightful people!

Next up, S. We’ve weathered a lot of storms (so to speak) with our respective families. And with those that inevitably connect us. I know I probably haven’t done you the justice of being your cousin sis in the past couple of years, but every time I see you, I realise that I don’t need to worry. Any number of years from now if and when I see you, it’ll be like barely any time has passed.

And finally, saving the best for last. My almost namesake, NK. I cannot believe we haven’t bonded before this. I feel like we were meant to be sisters forever, not just cousins. You’ve been my most shining exception of ‘I don’t hang out with my family much’, because you brought out a side in me I hadn’t had before – for any family member. You taught me to laugh at silly things, to joke about the trivial and mundane stuff that could get us down, and to smile more. Discovering and rediscovering random TV series’ with you is one of the most fun things EVER. You, missy, were also the reason I could get the parents to get on board about the tattoos, so I will be forever thankful for that! I love how you have seamlessly become a part of my friends’ circle too. You should know it is completely because you have a stellar personality, and there is barely any reason for people not to delight in your company. If they do, they’re not worth it in the first place! I want you to know that you mean the world to me, and I’d go to the moon and back for you if you asked me to :)

I end this here with a parting thought. There are people I’m related to in my life that I love, and there are people I tolerate. I don’t hate or despise anyone, because no one has given me a reason to. I may not like some of them from time to time, but then again, you can”t always like everyone, right? I’m just glad I’m allowed to interact with who I want, when I want. And I’m glad that I choose  to be happy, irrespective of which of these people chooses to be part of my life (or doesn’t).

Love,

Me

<3