Gobind is feeling perplexed!
When Shilpy went to visit Govind at his University of California in Davis, it was simply out of care—he’s been busy preparing for his finals and couldn’t make it home. With Jason’s wedding coming up, there were a few things to check regarding his clothes—whether any alterations were needed. But when she saw him and checked everything, it turned out to be a perfect fit, which was a relief.
Later, while having a meal with his mom, Gobind asked a question that showed something had been weighing on his mind. He wondered why Dadaji and Dadiji’s photo hadn’t been included in a Facebook post from another recent family wedding in Toronto. Harvinder and I had attended that wedding last month—it was a wonderful event, full of vibrant celebrations, dancing, singing, and a beautiful Anand Karaj followed by a gracious reception from the groom’s side. All of my sisters and their families were there, including me, and we truly enjoyed the occasion. A lot of pictures were taken—some with me and Harvinder—and later, a few of them appeared in a couple of posts online. But somehow, our photos, and those of his Dadaji and Dadiji, were missing from the shared posts.
Now, personally, I don’t feel hurt or affected by this. I was there, I enjoyed every bit of the wedding, the atmosphere, and I hold nothing but love and best wishes for the newlyweds—after all, bride is the first granddaughter getting married in our family. I pray for their happiness and a joyful married life ahead.
However, I could sense that Gobind was genuinely upset—not for himself, but for the dignity and presence of our elders, and perhaps for a sense of fairness. It touched me that he cared enough to notice and bring it up. This shows the depth of his values and affection for the family.
At the same time, I would like to gently remind him—and all of us—that life is full of small oversights. Sometimes things happen unintentionally, and it’s best not to let these little misses weigh us down. We should not allow such moments to plant seeds of misunderstanding or prejudice. I truly believe that we must learn to forget and forgive. These are the principles that help us grow stronger as a family. Alas my exclusion from family pictures was not repeated as happened a few months back here in California.
Our Family attended a glorious event in Napa Ca later last year.
Gobind, my dear, let this go with grace. Keep your heart open, full of love and respect for your cousins and everyone around you. These little things will not matter in the long run, but your generosity of spirit will always shine through.
