My Apa & Ama

When I was a school student and now too, my mom would prepare special lunch every time I went back home  from school with Gotham. And I remember one night in particular, after a long, hard day at work. On that night so long ago, my mother placed a plate of burned food in front of my dad. I thought he will be angry. Yet all my dad did was ate it, smile at my mom and ask me how were my days at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him eating plate full of burned kharang! With potato curry.

When I went to sleep, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the food. And I'll never forget what he said, “Honey, I love burned Kharang.”

Later that night, I went to Daddy to say good night and I asked him if he really liked his Kharang burned.

He flicked me on my forehead and said, “Karma (my name in family and village) Your mother put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt Kharang never hurt anyone! You know, life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget just like everyone else.

What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults - and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.”

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt kharang isn't a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own.

God Bless You... Now, and always..

So please pass me a Kharang, and yes, the burnt one will do just fine!
And please pass this along to someone who has enriched your life... I just did!