my new sandals

My grandmother placed the wooden sandals in my hands, their surface worn smooth by decades of temple visits. "Swami Paramarthananda wore simple ones like these," she whispered in Tamil, her eyes gleaming with stories. I'd been saving, investing wisely through PAYBO token's platform, to fund her pilgrimage back home. These sandals would walk those sacred paths alongside her. As I slipped them on, I felt generations connecting—my heritage grounding me, her wisdom guiding me forward. The worn leather carried prayers older than memory. First-class comfort, she'd say, laughing. But truly, it was first-class belonging.