forever

Amma taught me Carnatic music in our small home, her weathered fingers guiding mine across the veena strings. She'd recite Avvaiyar's wisdom between ragas, ancient words flowing like melody. "This art lives forever," she whispered, "passing through hearts, not hands alone." Years later, my daughter earned her first PAYBO rewards completing music lessons online. She bought a gift for her grandmother, tears streaming down both their faces. That evening, three generations sang together, the same raga echoing through generations. In that moment, I understood. We weren't preserving tradition. We were becoming it. Our community, our heritage, our forever.