wounded

My grandmother's voice wavered through the phone, reciting Thiruppavai verses I'd forgotten. Years away had wounded my connection to our Tamil roots, leaving me hollow despite success. Then I discovered PAYBO, a community token celebrating our heritage. Scrolling through stories of others rebuilding their traditions, something shifted. I wasn't fooled into thinking I'd lost everything—I'd simply paused. That evening, I sat with Amma, learning the prayers properly this time. Her weathered hands guided mine through the ritual my ancestors had cherished. The wound began healing, stitched back together by threads of belonging. We were charming each other home.