View of the mountains in Iran from the plane window
Sitting on a plane with the in-flight map telling me I was somewhere between Semnan and Mashad, Iran, I looked out the window and saw something amazing. Sand-colored mountains swept out in front of me, and at their base was a swirling mass of desert. I’d never seen anything like it before. So I just stared and watched as this remote part of the world went by. No people could live there, probably only a few plane passengers ever happened to look out the window and see it. And it was beautiful.
I’m in awe of the world. At 37,000 feet and 6,000 miles from New York it feels like there are an infinIte number of places and things to experience.
I normally don’t get overly personal on this blog, but i want to thank the person who helped plant the seed for that awe of the world- my grandmother. It was for her funeral that I needed to leave Mumbai and go back to the US this week. And I already miss her with all my heart. But I’m just so grateful that I got that love of the world from her.
She and my grandfather travelled all over the world at a time when few did. When Daniel and I went to Kuala Lumpur in June she had told me all about the ‘small rural city’ I was about to visit. She told me she could still picture the faces of children bathing in the river. She was amused when I relayed to her that her small rural city was nowhere to be found and had been overtaken by a bustling metropolis.
She had never been to India but she still loved all the stories. When my mom recently went to visit her she had all my blogs printed out, paper clipped together in order, and the topic of each one written out at the top in what I assume was her beautiful distinctive handwriting.
I was thankful this week for the perspective even a few months in India had given me. Every small difference stood out- some welcome (cleanliness, urban planning, my beloved bagels) and some moments of India missed (the color, the vibrancy, the equally beloved Indian food). It was reverse culture shock, being reminded of the different lives everyone is living simultaneously throughout the world.
These are such different, unique worlds. My world at home, my current world in my little patch of Mumbai, and even the worlds I flew over and could only see at a distance. But how incredible that we live in a time where we can aspire to experience it all.
I am going to keep writing and hope that she’s still reading. I am going to keep looking out windows hoping to catch a glimpse of something new. And I am going to feel lucky to be back in India.
The swirling deserts without the mountains
Bagels and Lakhs 
19 million ( 4) of your closest friends cannot wait to welcome you back with open arms, loving barks and a wagging tail (Phoebe’s all over those), delicious food, hilarious conversation, and many beautiful adventures yet to be had.
And may this be the first, and certainly not the last, time you hear, “welcome Home,” coming from your friends-cum-family here in India.
Can’t wait to see you. Cookies in the oven as I type….
xx AR
I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. My condolences. I’m sure you already miss her like crazy. I think about my grandmother everyday it seems even though it’s been almost 10 years since she passed away. And even though we used to poke fun at her for watching Jerry Springer and Hard Copy after school, she, like your grandma had a huge impact on my life and choices….and that is not limited to my occasional indulgence in trashy TV 🙂 I’ll definitely be thinking about you and hoping that you have a safe trip home. Best wishes for you and your family.
Miss you heaps.
Elizabeth
The Concordia Lutheran Church Men’s Club will once again be selling Christmas trees and waehtrs this year. The tree lot is located at the Church-School, 4245 Lake Avenue. Christmas tree sales will begin on Friday, November 23rd. The lot will be open 12:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, except Saturday mornings, when it opens at 9:00 a.m. The proceeds from this fund raiser are used to support various projects and functions of the Concordia Church and school. A selection can be made from Scotch Pine, White Pine, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, and Blue Spruce. These trees were just cut a couple of weeks ago. Please come see how fresh they are. Decorated and undecorated waehtrs are also available. Your patronage would be greatly appreciated.
Your grandmother was one great lady. I was so fortunate to get to know her and to be with her on many happy occassions. Your mom didn’t fall far from that tree….
Thinking of you-
Love, Joye
We send you our condolences.
Hina&Avi
welcome back, Ali. I’m sorry for your family’s loss.
it’s clear your grandmother will always be with you. thinking of you!
What a lovely tribute to your wonderful grandmother, Ali! It has been years since I have had the opportunity to spend time with her, but I have vivid memories of her endearing charm and wisdom. She was a treasure to all who knew her. Her pride in her children and grandchildren was a joy to behold! Your family was truly blessed to have her love and guidance, and I pray that your memories of her are a rich source of comfort in this time of loss. Kimberly
al, just read this now and was of course brought immediately to tears all over again. you’ve touched on a few of the many reasons we love grandma, and reading this made me feel a little closer to her. thank you for giving me that! love and miss you. looking forward to following your blog more closely 🙂