A token of appreciation

There's absolutely no doubt that I am going to forget to mention very many people, but I'll still try.

When I left home-I was left with a call from Mananbhai, a cousin extremely dear to me. His last words were: "Thank you for everything...you mean a lot to me and I'll miss you"
I remember that hand on my head-that of Jiju's and Alpa didi's - two people who have shown unconditional love throughout my journey from high school. I want to thank these people-because you have always 'tried' to help me grow...your advice I put in my bag of experiences. I brought those to adapt to a completely new place of Canada. It has helped me see unforeseen experiences...has supported me when friends have abandoned me.

With my parents I flew to Canada knowing not a lot. We came across this very brown looking friendly guy, who provided great relief to an overwhelmed family. That guy today is my best friend, best mentor, actually an idol that has always given direction to life. Most ppl reading this know who I am talking about. Yes, its you RG. He left very early; left the country that is; not me. Thanks had never been the appropriate word then, nor is today. But, till date you're the friend who has more often than not, said the right thing...spoke my mind and my emotions. As I walk ahead in life-please stand by me.

As my first group of friends disowned me...2 people never failed to pick up my calls to hear me cry. Thanks Nida and Mazzy, you were there to give immense strength to a very timid naive person. Things have almost never gone wrong between us-just that today we don't meet as often as I wish to. These are the 2 people I can bow my head in respect...coz as in the past, even today I fail to return the debt they've laid on me. You have done more than any friend would-and a lot of what I have today, I owe to you. Thanks for pulling me back when I was contemplating to leave.

Pavi aunty-I still have your watch as a token of your blessings. You've been a mom always. Tears have always fallen out thinking about the many mornings you've gotten up to check on me while checking up on your son. Many people in this world are devoid of a mother's attention..thanks to you- I have had the luxury of being immensely loved and cared about by 2 moms.

I would now have to mention Aman-I met her in one my classes late in first year. Aman and I have gone a long way. We've done some of the craziest things together. We've supported each other through a lot. We've been a great trio with Cia, who I shall talk about soon. Aman-thanks for such a great company, for listening through a lot, to let me vent when I had to, to get angry and stop my tears when it was necessary, for a very caring family that wanted me over every time I missed home. I have faith that we will go ahead much much longer with our trio.

I now want to talk about residence..and my life as a PAL. Most people in this genre who deserve a thanks aren't reading this-but Dale, my students, and every person who made the rez training possible-You've shaped me to become a better person. You've taught me all those great lessons in life that were learnt outside the classrooms of UTm.

Cia-lol...where did we start from? and where have we ended up? From the girl I saw in the corridor-to being my family..my sis. From sharing my insecurities, to telling me whats the right thing to do, from the many taboo nites to the wonderland adventures, to now the graduation ceremonies...you have never once left me alone...never once let me be by myself. We speak a different language....but we most often have the same thing to communicate. Thanks for telling me that I was never alone-thanks for those long chats on those slumber nights...thanks thanks thanks...for the many giggles, hugs, for all the good things that happen to me when u're praying. You've given me a mom and a sister.

I also want to thank a few people who I have just begun being close to-Pooji-you've answered more than just my tax doubts..listened to more than just my Doha stories...been more than just a friend in the past one year. I know thanks aint cool enough for you-but prolly "I will plan my life lesser" might be a better form of saying you've influenced my life.You've helped me find new definitions of happiness, of God, of friends, of love.

Nikhita-every day of my life I come to know you better. Thanks being my younger sis..thanks for teaching me little and big things while being one. You've built great confidence and courage in me and helped me to protect the real me - the me I was born with, the me I had made while I was in Doha. Everyday your niceness inspires me to do the right thing, even if its not the easiest thing to do.

Sonal, thanks for direction when I needed it. Thanks for the self control when I lost the steering wheel of my life. Amit-thanks for unconditionally bringing me from point A to B, whether catching an urgent flight, or furnishing my apartment, be it a night out, or an "early morn" tim hortons hot chocolate. Thanks for being a friend when everything had fallen apart.

Lastly I would dare to thank some mighty mighty figures of life. Dad and mom-everyday I see how similar I am to you both. Everyday I miss your hand on me...but all these friends..all these great experiences would have meant nothing if you hadnt let me leave home, hadnt instilled in me my ethics, hadnt cared through every difficult time, hadnt called me back home everytime i needed to run away, hadnt nourished me through your best teachings. You're my religion, my life, you're everything you've made of me-I'll always thank God for I was given birth by the best hands...even though this far...you guys have never left me to be.

Dad, mom- I also want to thank you for giving an amazing older sister. Sis- you've often been my conscience...many times that I have asked myself :what would di do in this situation...and there I got my almost perfect answer. You've taught me great deal about guys...about university...about having education...about love and family about being your own strength in times of crisis.

Tomorrow is my day...this day that you guys made possible=)