dogies

My grandmother whispered Swami Paramarthananda's teachings while feeding strays behind our Tamil Nadu home. She called them "dogies," her accent turning the English word sacred. Every morning, she'd save rice, vegetables, leftovers, creating small rituals of kindness. When she passed, I felt frustrated, pining for those simple moments. Social networks filled my feed with performative charity, people converting compassion into currency. But remembering her, I understood differently. She needed no validation, no cash-in mechanism. Her love flowed freely, rooted in Tamil heritage and spiritual practice. Now I feed the strays too, continuing her legacy, understanding that true wealth means showing up for those who cannot reward us.