The First Janmashtami without calling Nandakumara (text-only post)

 "Brindavanamum Nandakumaranum" was one of my paati's favorite songs. She'd love to sing the song every year on Janmashtami. She would also request 'Aleccha' (Alexa) to play the song any chance she got. We would keep calling out to Nandakumara everytime she played or sang the song.

This year was the first Janmashtami we didn't call out to Nandakumara. The festivities continued everywhere like every year, snacks and songs aplenty as usual. But this year, the crispy and sweet treats weren't savored by eyes and a tongue that relished them more than teeth and stomach could.

This Ashtami, Nandakumara didn't visit our home through his tiny little footprints marked in white flour as he snuck in to eat butter. He visited us through memories of the one who loved his song and fondly called him so many times throughout several decades, even the night before she passed.

Maybe he visited her as she reunited with Bhooma paati, the two sitting side by side and singing the song; maybe he's dancing in front of them like I used to when I was a child. Maybe they're finally meaning it when they sing "Kurai ondrum illai kanna." Hey, maybe she can eat all the thenkuzhal and chocolates she wants!

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