A glass bottle of Coca-Cola is the ultimate reminder of my mother, the energetic heart of our home in India. While she managed everything with a smile, her "me-time" ritual was a fresh crate of glass-bottled Coke, which she insisted tasted better than plastic. Whether leading community work in 2015 or keeping our family connected after we moved to the U.S. in 2018, she remained the "glue" that held us together. Even in 2020, she thrived, leading local festivals and counting the days until our visit. When we finally reunited in India, she met us at the door with a huge hug and a cooler of ice-cold soda—not a hospital bed. Seeing her so healthy and sharp proved her spirit is unbreakable, and I am lucky to carry her name and joy with me every day. 

– NJ

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant