Dear Celeste...

When I noticed the small cross and flowers for the first time besides the road, I didn’t pay much attention. Yet another roadside accident and someone reminding others to be cautious! But then came Valentine’s Day, and you got a red heart shaped balloon and nice bouquet of roses. I smirked, if only people did that gesture when loved ones were alive. Often I’ve seen people who are blessed in long-term relationship making excuses like, “Why showoff for only one day, I love you every day and I don’t need to make a display of my love.” Well, to be honest I am one of those people; rather I was. But then I stumbled on you- Celeste! That Valentine’s Day, I did stop at that yellow signal instead of speeding through it like every day- only to read your name, to know you better. And your name was embossed on that cross, surrounded by beautiful roses and a heart shaped balloon. That day I stopped by at the grocery store and bought red balloons for my kids, a card for my husband and a box of chocolates for me- in case he forgot to get me anything (which he did!). It was a big surprise for everyone at home and was well received!

As days passed by it became a game for me to notice what sort of gifts you were receiving. With seasonal changes color of your bouquet kept changing. You got a pinwheel when spring rolled in; to remind me to stop and sniff the sweet smell of new life around me. You even got green clover for St. Patrick ’s Day. And I started thinking about you… how was your life? Who loved you so much that they made an attempt to celebrate everything with you even after you…? I even tried googling you; what could have happened to you? One faintest trace revealed that at that same intersection there was a fatal accident almost a decade ago. There were not many details or not even mention of your name. But I knew that must have been you. Celeste, unknowingly I’ve learnt so much about you. You really loved flowers of all colors, all shapes. Your birthday is in May and you were quite religious person. Or am I talking about the person who loves you so much?

One thing is clear that you have taught me how to love, rather how to express love when I still have time to do so. Few years back I had a nanny who used to say “I love you honey” while hanging up the phone with her grown up kids/husband/mom & so on to all of her family members. I told her it was a sweet gesture and she replied, “Yeah, I wouldn’t know when it will be the last time I would say love you; so I make sure that I remind them every given chance!”   And I am like, “What a depressing thought!” But looking at Celeste reminded me that it’s life. Harsh and cold on my face; every day every turn. When I hear about calamities around us- someone getting a divorce, someone losing a job which was his only identity, about terrorist attacks, someone losing a grip on the rock while trekking or worse someone disappearing from the life forever like Celeste! It gives me a jolt of reality- life in unpredictable.

Even if life is unpredictable and we cannot control it, I keep on reminding myself- “This is it! This is the only life and should be lived to the fullest- with no regrets!!” Thanks Celeste for teaching me love, compassion and living life fully. Thanks for reminding me the quote- “Live every moment as if there is no tomorrow and dream so big as if you’ll live forever!”