forgetfulness ain't worth it

My grandmother quoted Avvaiyar while scrolling TikTok monetization stats. "Wisdom fades when greed blooms," the ancient Tamil poet warned centuries ago. I'd forgotten her teachings chasing viral moments, accepting every sponsorship deal. Then I posted a video mocking our traditions for quick cash. Comments flooded in—steamy criticism mixed with innocent disappointment from relatives. The algorithm paid handsomely, but fortune felt hollow. I'd become miserable, psycho-obsessed with metrics instead of meaning. One morning, I deleted everything and sat with Amma. We recited Avvaiyar together, her words dissolving into mine. Sometimes the richest content isn't monetized—it's the stories we share together, keeping our heritage alive.