Americans in India
This was a visit to remember, to be sure. Nutan (God’s Elder Sister, and Ravi’s little one – hmmm. What does that say about Ravi?) descended upon us three days ago with four of her dearest friends. With her in order above are: Cyndi, Korki, Masha and Suzanne. She promptly got sick and so […]
Mom, one more time
Spare Every Expense, Except One: My Mother’s Obituary Jo McGowan When my mother, Patricia McGowan, died in late June, we chose the cheapest coffin for her burial. The funeral director brought the glossy album of possibilities for us to leaf through and without even glancing at it, I told him, “Mom would want the plainest, […]
The Angle of Repose
I took this photo when I was in Florida in July and forgot to post it here. I took it because it looks to me like the very image of relaxation and calm that I am constantly dreaming of and never achieving. I even like the line which limits the view – that makes it […]
Dunu Does Dehradun
This was the beginning of the workshop. 29 decorous and well-behaved children from Latika Vihar, all gathered to see what this white haired fellow from New Delhi might have to say. Dunu is the Foundation’s oldest friend (his mother was Latika Roy) and a constant source of inspiration and provocation to us. We had asked […]
Who’s Sari Now?
I don’t normally wear a sari. Though I love them for their grace and style, the effort is simply beyond me most days. First I have to find someone to help me put it on and then I have to navigate my day feeling like a princess and working like a horse. Moy Moy’s wheelchair, […]
How The West Wing Changed My Life
I started watching The West Wing, an American political TV drama around seven years ago. Anand was hooked on it and I would occasionally wander in while he was watching. At first, I found it incomprehensible. Everyone talked in mumbles and at great speed, there were references to things I couldn’t follow and it assumed […]
Jyotsna Brar
Yesterday, Nileshwari and I went to see Jyotsna Brar. She is the Principal of Welham Girls, a member of the Latika Roy Foundation General Body, a long-time supporter of our work and – most important, a good friend. Meeting her is always a pleasure as I find in her a kindred spirit – a woman […]
Cathleen Kavita
I wish everyone could have a daughter like our Cathleen. This summer, she came home for three months and we were all so excited about the prospect of so much time with her. One of her main reasons for coming was that she wanted to spend time with Moy Moy. After her illness in January, […]
How Memory Works: Duke Duchscherer and Carin Duchscherer
Memory is a fluid, mysterious thing and often what we think we remember may be incomplete, in error or totally backwards. Sometimes a piece of important information can be left out of the story and when – by luck or design or happy discovery – it surfaces, it can be an occasion of wonder and […]
Chrissie
My family is big on the Chris names. We have Aunt Chris, Christopher and Chrissie (my older sister), and if Lucy had been a boy, she would have been named Christian! Chrissie has played with her version of it for years – she has been Chris, Cris, Chrissie and Christine and she does all of […]