To My Daughter, As You Turn 20: A Letter From My Heart

Twenty years ago, I held you for the first time — tiny, warm, and already the fiercest beat in my heart. Though you were my second child, there was nothing second about the pride and joy I felt. You came into my world like a song I hadn’t known I needed — soft, powerful, and unforgettable.

When some whispered, “Oh, it’s a girl,” as if that were somehow less, I stood taller, steadier — “Yes,” I said. “It is my girl.” Because I knew. I knew the fire you carried. I knew the strength you’d grow into. And I knew the privilege it was to raise a girl like you.

I named you Yashas, which means the conqueror of fame — and you have lived up to every letter of that name. In your quiet strength and in your bold leaps, in the way you carry yourself and in the way others are drawn to your light — you’ve already left your mark. And this is only the beginning.

Every time you were hurt, it was as if my soul cracked quietly. Your wounds were mine; your fears became my battles. I wiped away more than just tears — I wiped away doubts, shadows, and the noise that tried to tell you, you weren’t enough. You always were. You always are.

When you moved away to a new city, I pretended to be brave. But letting go was harder than I let on. I found comfort in the little things — your calls, your voice notes, the way you still check on my day. Each small connection became my anchor.

Today, as you turn 20, I want you to know this:

Fear nothing. The world is wide, and you are ready. Live your life with your arms open and your eyes clear. Love deeply, but never lose yourself in anyone or anything. Your emotions are valid, but don’t let them hold you back from greatness.

You are more than I ever dreamed — independent, kind, bold. And you’re just getting started.

Just for You!

You came with stars tucked in your smile,
With dreams that danced across each mile.
A heart so fierce, a spirit free,
You are, and always will be — me.

The world may twist, the winds may turn,
But in your eyes, the fires burn.
So soar, my girl, and claim your skies,
You were always meant to rise.

Go ahead — leap, laugh, explore. And if the world ever feels too much, remember you’ll always have a place where you are loved without question — in my heart, forever.

Happy 20th, my girl.

With all my love,
Amma

A Journey of 2600 Kms

From Stranded to Strong

Today marks another special day in our lives. I remember a time when we were stranded in the middle of everything, with nothing in our hands—credit card bills to pay, loans to clear, a toddler in tow, and a family full of hopes. Nothing seemed to favour us. And it was at that moment that we made a bold decision. We leaped, traveling 2,600 kilometres away, to build a home and start anew.

The heat, the desert, the culture, the food, the speed of life, and the people—all were so different, yet so welcoming. I can still hear my husband saying, “This is temporary, just 2-3 years, until we have a few things sorted"

But here we are, 24 years later, counting the days until we decide to travel back, to return to our motherland and call it a home. It's a journey that has brought us to where we are today, but there’s still a part of us that calls our homeland home.

I owe my life to this land; it’s true.

Oman, You Shaped Me

Through thick and thin, this country has shaped me, made me strong through and through. 

Through rough weather and skies that often turn grey, 

I’ve found that genuine hearts light the way.

Bottled water in vast deserts,

Yet an oasis of kindness in every contrast.

Speeding cars; the roads are alive,
But paced-out choices have helped me thrive.

A home away from home, it’s clear, 
Oman, you’re where my heart draws near.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To the people I have met on this journey, your kindness, support, and encouragement have made it all worth living. Each one of you have played a part in shaping our experience and making a foreign land feel like home. Whether it was a shared meal, a conversation that lasted for hours, or a simple gesture of goodwill, I am forever grateful for your presence in our lives.

And to my children, thank you for standing by us through every decision, every challenge, and every change. Your resilience, understanding, and love have been a constant source of strength. I hope that one day you’ll look back at this journey with pride, knowing how much we all grew together and how much you helped shape this chapter of our story.

  

Why Me?

I have always wondered—why me? 

Why does my path seem filled with more hurdles to jump, rivers to cross, and battles to win? Why does it feel like a challenge arises every time I get comfortable, forcing me to fight once more? I used to believe it was because the universe had somehow overlooked me, that the supreme power I trusted had chosen to love me less. 

I watched others seemingly glide through life with ease while I struggled, facing storm after storm. It felt unfair. It felt exhausting. And the question echoed in my mind repeatedly—why me? 

But then, as time passed and I continued to fight, I started to see things differently. Every battle I faced taught me something new. Some struggles were necessary; they pushed me, shaped me, and refined me. Others, I realized, were not worth my energy. Not every fight needed my sword, not every argument needed my voice, and not every storm required my attention. 

That’s when it finally hit me—I wasn’t being loved less. I was being loved more. 

I was being strengthened, not punished. The hurdles weren’t there to stop me but to teach me how to jump higher. The rivers weren’t meant to drown me but to show me how to swim. The battles weren’t signs of my weakness but proof of my strength. 

I was being prepared for something greater. 

Now, when life throws another challenge my way, I don’t ask, Why me? Instead, I whisper, Try me. Every challenge was a lesson, every setback a redirection, every battle a refining fire. The struggles weren’t to break me but to build me. They were signs that I was chosen to grow, to lead, to inspire. 

So, I face my battles with a new perspective. I no longer see them as burdens but as blessings in disguise. Because I know that through every challenge, I am being moulded into the person I was meant to be. 

And now, I know—I am loved more.