selfie

Grandma held the phone awkwardly, squinting at the screen. I'd taught her to take selfies yesterday, mostly as a joke. Today, she'd snapped one during Thiruppavai rehearsals, her face glowing under temple lights, lips curved in genuine joy. She sent it to our family group. The reactions flooded in instantly—hearts, fire emojis, her sisters calling her "bomb" and "splendid." Grandma laughed, that deep satisfied sound reserved for victories. "Look at me, still learning new things," she whispered, showing me again. In that moment, I understood. It wasn't vanity. She was celebrating herself, her resilience, her place in our continuing story. Our heritage lived through her happiness.