In March, I went to India, a trip that was long overdue for many reasons, including unexpected ones. The trip had to be postponed twice in the past 2 years, but I finally made it. This was my first trip back since my mom passed away 2 years ago. Though I was born in California and my parents have been in the US for over 50 years, India has felt like a 2nd home. Through family, language, culture, food and business, my parents made sure we stayed deeply connected to our roots, taking us to India every year without fail.
Life however has been tough the past few years, making it harder to visit. But this trip was not about sightseeing. It was about reconnecting with family. Spending time with my cousins, nieces, nephews and especially aunts and uncles. Watching our parents, aunts and uncles age is difficult and I just wanted to soak up every moment with them even if it was brief. They all said, “Why such a short trip? Stay longer!” And I just kept saying, “Better for a day than not at all.”
It's been strange not having mom here. Especially when it came to explaining the connections between family members – she knew everyone’s names and how they were related, who married into what family, what were their roots. Shopping for Indian clothes was particularly emotional because it would be mom who would approve or disapprove my selections, spend hours matching sari picks and designing blouses picks for herself and negotiate with sternness yet charm. I was also reminded of her through the way her siblings, nieces, and nephews smiled or their mannerisms of hand gestures and humor. Every encounter, every smile, and every familiar voice reminded me that my mother’s legacy lives on — not just in stories, but in people, traditions, and the love she wove deeply into the fabric of our family.
During the 12 days of this trip, I traveled to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Delhi, Gurugram and Noida. This trip was more than a return to India — it was a journey into the heart of who she was, and who she helped us become. And in that way, every moment spent there became a tribute to our mother. She may no longer walk beside us, but her influence continues to guide, connect, and nurture us, even across continents.
