The Colors of Love: A Journey to India

Going to India in 2006 for the first time ever was an eye-opening and endearing experience, to say the least.

My mum was determined to take me to India to get all my wedding shopping done. She was reflecting on her own experience of how her parents did the same for her. At the time, I was indifferent to the whole thing. I frankly had nothing better to do. My paternal grandparents had their home in Punjab, and though we all lived in Canada, my grandad, and granma were happy to take me “back home.” I called them both “mum and dad” because that’s what they were for me, not “dadi” or “dada.” To create more havoc, if both my parents were around and I needed to call out to any of them, I always had the extra task of nicely declining one mum over the other by saying, “Hmm… not you, mum… the other one.” And to be honest, I knew my grandparents loved it when they got “chosen.” It was almost like an ongoing internal battle of generational domination was won. The granddaughter had chosen them over their own son and his wife. Balance had been restored, the sun was going to rise, all was set as it was supposed to be. Happily ever after…

So, it is no wonder that when I went to India, my granma asked what she could bring back for me, knowing I was leaving sooner than her. I explained in my English and broken Punjabi, “Just bracelets… all the colors. Just bring me back each color of the rainbow.” She responded with “acha,” which I understood to be “ok.” Just to make sure, I asked her if she understood, and she reassured me she did. And off we went.

When we came back to Canada and she presented me with the bracelets, my mouth dropped. I was expecting a totally different order of bracelets. Though at that time, I didn’t know how to tell her politely that was not what I meant. This is the one time I am forever grateful for being misunderstood.

So many years later and especially today, I remember she had it perfectly right. She put all the colors of the rainbow in my hands and smiled… just smiled… so full of love and light…

Remembering all those that have gone ahead of me, may your light continue to shine bright..

Happy Deepawali to all celebrating

Dedicated In Loving Memory of my SUPERSTAR “mum&Granma” ~~ Shine bright~~

aka “Giano,” “Gian,” “Mrs. Gian Kaur Sondh.”

In Italian, “Gian” is a short form of the name “Giovanni,” which means “God is gracious” or “gracious gift of God.”

In Punjabi, “Gian” means “knowledge” or “wisdom.” It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Gyaan” which has the same meaning.

Overall, “Gian” carries positive connotations related to faith, grace, and wisdom in different cultures.

In Diljeet, Gian means unwavering strength and love in the form of Ma