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Hand in hand for eternity

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Farewell Future


I am a traveler. The only thing that remains unhinged in my fate is change.  I get new houses full to the brim with hope, dreams, prayers and moments to cherish for life. Pregnant they are with my energy and an illusion of certainty - till a time comes when every last emotion and tear that weaved those dreams is vacuumed out and shipped to a new destination. Every move takes something away from me but future beckons. I came to the USA leaving buckets of tears at home and now it’s time to drain the last morsels of my existence in this land and bid goodbye. My home will be stepped down and stripped to just another empty house. And I will have to engage myself in a futile attempt again to erase my home address, phone number and SSN memorized and carved in my memory.

The more I dwell on these thoughts the more melancholic I feel. So instead - just like I try to cherish the life of a loved one who has left me forever – I will cherish my days here forever. I will cherish the hardships of my first year as a foreigner, the 2nd year as a struggling writer, the next few years of some great friendships and fulfilled times and a whole lot of Manhattan, the 5th year of creating life and giving birth to my little angel, the 6th year of seeing some amazing success in becoming a consultant. These  years are in clear sight now – packed in boxes in just a few hours!
Img from www.edruscha.com

So dear America when I drive away - I will look at you with love. And when I drive past that hospital where my baby was born - I will etch it in my memory. Dunkin Donuts – bid you farewell and hug to the steaming hot cups of coffee that I would crave; Costco – a wholesale priced kiss to you, Shop Rite – I always loved our weekend meetings; Stew Leonard’s – oh Stew Leonard’s – I have no words to express how much I will miss you, Grand Central – there was never a moment I didn’t feel elevated when I treaded your floors. My office – hope to meet you soon again - stay with me please.

Words betray me when I look at the people who enriched my soul here. People I have learnt immense lessons from – whether through good or bad times. People who selflessly only gave and expected nothing in return – I am taking everything with me – returning richer beyond measure now with your memories and thoughts. I will ensure you and I meet again and that you give me a chance to give back. This is hence not the end – it’s not the beginning either – it’s our journey together.

I leave with a heavy heart but I have a sparkle in my eyes; my feet feel loaded but my steps are alight, I look at the road ahead but can’t help looking back. I always wanted to leave – but I leave a part of me with you. Some say America is the future – in that case Farewell Future.





34 comments:

  1. Nicely written saathi. Hope you get to tread on this soil again.Wishing you all the best in all your endeavors!!!

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  2. Hi Kriti, Can totally understand what you may be going through right now...any change/relocation tends to fill one with nostalgia and the key is to walk away with lots of good memories. This place and your home will always be in your heart..I think that's what makes life beautiful - all the memories and experiences and life would not be so enriching if it were stagnant. Look forward to welcoming you in Gurgaon. Safe travels.

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  3. The road ahead is filled with smooch more. Like you I left California in Sept last year. It was tough but the road ahead and the experiences I have had so far have been fantastic and enriching.
    Best of Luck and where are you moving to?

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  4. Oh saying goodbye is hard.. but well done

    A

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  5. Beautiful and charming goodbye letter to America,My dear Mitr,you are going to be missed like hell by the people you are leaving behind because you are one of a kind and America was lucky to have you for seven long years. Now it's our time to enjoy your lovely company,we will make sure that you don't feel sad ever.
    Waiting for you with open arms, Mitr....

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  6. @Sathi - thank you darling
    @Neeru - awww - that was so sweet - thank you very much
    @YogaSavy - Gurgaon, India - always wanted to get back but when the time comes you always tend to look back. THanks a ton for visiting
    @A - thank you friend

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  7. @Awww Mitr - you are best really. I needed to meet you before I moved to India and that's why you happened.

    @Ann - thanks a ton hon!

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  8. Kriti - beautifully put. The future is wherever you are - and I wish you wonderful things in India. The best thing about the past is that it doesn't go away - all the memories are there to cherish forever!

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  9. Aw - but we only just met (sorta).

    Though your feet lead you away, your soul has left its mark on us all.

    I hope you can stay in touch.

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  10. Goodbye is often hard but you do have those wonderful memories Kriti. Keep those memories alive and make new one's with your bright future. Wishing you every success and happiness.

    Derek

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  11. Well then you and I shall be neighbors! i am in Gurgaon..... What a small world it is

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  12. Loved the way you expressed :)
    Keep Expressing Dear ...
    Read my blog ..
    http://myfriendshipsimran.blogspot.com/

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  13. This is a very special post. Thank you for sharing your memories as you pack them up. Best of luck to you in all your "future" endeavors.

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  14. Kriti, America's loss is our gain!!! Welcome back to India sweetheart. Change is the only constant and we have to accept that. I am sure you will bring back all the richness that you have acquired in the US to India.And the memories will always live on in your heart and all the friends you made will be for lifetime. Dying to meet you!

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  15. oh Kriti, feel the treasure u have in your folded memories of US. it will make you smile definitely, i hope. share it more and more with us and you will never miss them for sure.

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  16. Leaving any place behind is tough.We always end up missing it in bits and pieces. But look at it this way, you gained so much from there which you will cherish forever:) Delhi will be waiting with warm hugs Kriti. Hope you get through your packing etc on time.

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  17. beautiful post, loved it, made me very nostalgic and sad. I will miss you dearly, but I know I will feel your presence despite the miles...wish you loads of happiness as you head home, more memories are in store. Lots of love.

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  18. It is sad to leave , people , places grow on you and its always sad to say goodbye. Take care and welcome back here ...
    Frane

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  19. Kriti I have a sad heart, this country needs more strong intelligent women not less. I hope that although my country is loosing you that our blog world will not. We would miss your wit, wisdom and encouragement. Have a
    safe trip home and a wonderful life wherever you and your family live. Remember that there are people in America whom you have touched with your words and warmth. Goodbye friend you will be missed. You really are the best :)))))))


    Jim

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  20. not so fast! you can stay just a mouse click away. i hope you will. i know the thrill of going home, it somehow makes it real. you will be in our hearts for ever home. where ever you Rome. thank you and God bless and keep in our home.

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  21. Kriti..whats going on...I had no idea as to what is going on..will talk to you.Don't fret,sweetheart,life has better things in store for you..I know the feeling,leaving 15years of a life behind..I am here for you..take care.

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  22. Kriti - Your farewell note claimed a couple of tear drops from my eyes that wet a smile on my lips; perhaps that's how the pair of opposites co-exists. Hearty welcome and God bless.

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  23. Hey, I agree with Roy! "Not so fast, you can stay just a mouse click away!"

    I'm reading opposite sides of the same coin in this thread, Kriti - America's loss and India's gain.

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  24. Hey Kriti.... awesomely beautiful...god i so agree with Jim n Uncle......their loss is our gain...welcome home dear....wish u all that is beautiful, good, great n greatest...lol ur way n ur family.....I really need to re read....enjoy and we r all r here..just shout in case u need help:) God bless!!!

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  25. www.goodhealthdiva.blogspot.comMarch 24, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Oooh goodbyes are sad but strangely enough once we get to our destination there is so much excitement that it soon comfort us! Have a safe trip and be blessed
    N'na

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  26. I really hate goodbyes but they always say that for every goodbye,there's always be a new beginning. Nice Kriti. =)

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  27. i've read this post from last night... and i found it necessary to stay with the feeling of loss... it isn't easy to let go of something that has already been part of us... but we all carry in ourselves the "tent spirituality" and it's something that keeps us going... we are citizens of the world kriti...

    i admire you for your writing skills... it makes me really proud to be a part of an indian community... :)... perhaps, we'll see each other in india :P... who knows?

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  28. Beautifully written. I'm sure you are happy to be going "home". But I can understand how tough it is to leave friends behind. Well, not behind - we will be following you and your blog. I look forward to hearing all about the exciting things in store for you.
    My best, Mari

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  29. Thank you awesome people - for saying everything you can say to make this journey simpler for me. Love and Best to all : )

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  30. Wish you nothing but the best on the next phase of your life!! Glad you had the experience of living abroad but there is really no comparision to home. You have memories and stories to last a lifetime and no one will ever be able to take those away. Much joy in the future!!

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  31. Thanks a ton David - what a wonderful thing to say. TOuched : )

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  32. Nicely done! Safe travels. I have a feeling you will be back soon. :-)

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  33. The bald one moves forwards like the shark. If he stops to look behind i drown ;)

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  34. @Tameka - thanks for dropping by. Will definitely come back to visit.
    @Charles - thanks for dropping by - Good philosophy in life. Will try and follow it for my own benefit.

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