Written Traces

It was the 5th of April, a day that started like any other, but ended up becoming a harsh reminder of the cost you have to pay for the assumptions made by others on your behalf.  So the story starts with a scheduled signature that I have to give in person for the proceedings of an essential thing in our lives. I was scheduled to sign an official document at a place about an hour away from our home. For most people, it’s a task that might feel unimportant. But for someone like me, who cannot walk independently and depends on a wheelchair, even the smallest outing needs planning, coordination, and patience not just from me, but also from the people who are involved.  That morning, my brother, who was driving me to the appointment, decided not to bring my wheelchair. A decision which was seconded by my mother. He assumed the process would be quick and wouldn't require me to step out of the car at all. His intention wasn’t to inconvenience me, I know that. He just thought he was m...

No, I don't mind my parental reprimand. I think I could use some administration in my life. I don't think I have figured it all out. About certain things, I might have, but there is a lot to go and given their age and experience, especially with life and people, I believe there’s wisdom they can pass down to me. Also, I don't think whatever I do is right every time. I question the morals behind everything I do, and if I have done something wrong, then I prefer being hit with the truth rather than hiding behind false justifications. I don't think I deserve immunity from being told the difference between right and wrong. I used to think like that during my soft girl period, but now, at the age where I am right now, I just want to be as morally acceptable a person as I can.   Another reason is my love and respect for my parents. It is above and beyond. I care for their emotions that are attached to me. A child is a child. He or she is the property of their parents. And one...

They say turning passion into a profession is what makes the recipe for good income. But from personal experience, this is a bad idea. Especially if you have an artistic passion for writing. That's because your passion channels your inner turmoil and, thus, proves to be an escape from everything that is a burden. This, however, is untrue, when you make it your profession where it becomes the means to an end. It forces you to use your resources but between me and you, writing only gets to the surface when you are motivated and it is impossible to feel motivated 24/7 a day, 6 days a week.  Forcing your artistic prowess is impossible, it never happens. Whoever tells you otherwise, is just lying.  My Brief Journey Into Professional Writing If I have to explain why, let me share my experience of turning passion into a profession. As soon as I finished my Masters in English I rushed myself into things. Thinking of turning my passion for writing thoughtful expressions to meet an appr...

Sometimes, we all find ourselves saying, "I feel very weak".  But how weak do you exactly feel?  What would you understand if I say I feel weak in the sense that I feel as if there is no strength left in my body to even feel the body? Would you understand that the weakness I feel makes me not able to raise my hands?  Would you understand if I say it does not make me able to stand on my feet?  Would you understand if I tell you that occasionally, it does not make me able to sit?  Would you really understand it if I tell you that, at times, it does not even make me able to talk?  I hardly think anyone would believe what my weakness entails much less understand it.  Still, whether you understand it or not I never stopped feeling it. I have been feeling it for two decades.  But the peculiar thing is that despite how long I have been feeling this, I never seem to have properly conveyed this to anyone. But strangely, my father understood it. I have neve...

Yesterday my mother had her cataract surgery. It was a huge thing for use since it was one of the first serious medical emergencies after the passing of our father. Nevertheless, my brother took command over the whole situation, beginning to end as we escorted him to the hospital for the day. Now here I refer "we" to myself and my younger cousin brother, who is also my contemporary age-wise.  Now the whole surgery thing was sudden and out of bloom. None of us were sure for any of the surgery to take place until the late afternoon of the day before the surgery. That was the time when we received the report of the blood sugar level test of our mother, now considerably reduced to pass for the performing of surgery.  In the face of this medical challenge, my brother assumed the leadership by taking command of the situation from the moment the report of the blood sugar level came out in favor of the surgery to the moment we escorted our mother to the hospital the next day and the ...