Bittersweet Goodbyes: Carrying Sana's Light from Mumbai to Chicago

As I pack my bags for the last two days in Mumbai, a wave of mixed emotions washes over me. This trip has been a bittersweet journey, with countless memories of Sana woven into the fabric of my everyday routine here. It's in these moments, as I reflect, that I truly understand the depth of her impact on my life. My mom, bless her heart, constantly brings up Sana. "Why hasn't she come for so long?" she'll ask, her voice tinged with longing, adding, "She liked Sana the best." It's a gentle reminder of the love Sana shared with everyone around her, and it pulls at my heartstrings every time. Today brought another poignant moment. I finally had to choose the cover for Sana’s book—a project I’ve put off for far too long. Seeing her beautiful, smiling face in the photo broke my heart into a million pieces. Yet, there's a strange comfort in moving forward with it. It's Sana's spirit, her unwavering belief in me, that has truly shaped my path. I remember her always saying, "Mom, why don't you teach a course in early childhood?" when I helped her with her master's assignments. Her words, her wishes, and her pure happiness have, in a way, manifested into this incredible opportunity I now have: to teach a full-time Early Childhood Education course. It feels like her legacy, her dream, continues to live on through me. And so, as I prepare to leave Mumbai, I find myself ready to return home to Chicago. In a way, being there makes me feel closer to her, as if her presence lingers in the familiar spaces we shared. This journey has been a testament to enduring love, and I carry Sana's light with me, always.