Dear 2016

Dear 2016,

Greetings!

Hope you are doing well.

I did not think, I should write out to you. I thought I should just let you pass by. Then I thought to myself, how could I, do that. Also, my writer’s itch caught on and I thought I’ll play with my faithful friends, “words”, one last time for you.

So, here I am, ensconced in a wooly blanket, lying on a cushy bed, cozy in the winter chill, writing to a departing friend. I know you will be laughing at me, when you read this, but yes, you truly are very dear friend of mine, even after all this time.

So here I begin, as always, with a thank you, for being whom you have been. Three hundred and sixty five days of life altering experiences. Truly and deeply, I am indebted to you, for all that and more.

Thank You!

Never before…

Never before, have any of your predecessors treated me to such a wide breadth of, at times exhilarating and at times frustrating episodes, and never before, had I changed at the rate at which I changed.

You nudged me along, influenced me, and at times even forced me on, but you always walked by my side, silently. Not once did you help me though, and thus at times, I have cursed you and at times, I have despised you, for your silence and stoicism, but now I realize, the reason for your action or “inaction”.

I grew, I matured and I learnt.

When I see the mirror of 2015, I am unable to recognize my reflection. In more ways than I could imagine, I have changed. Bittersweet it was, in places, as change is never easy and growth, even tougher.

So, as I look back at the year that was, I cannot stop but smile. I smile and write on, listening to that familiar playlist from this red app, for one final time. Yea, it is finally time for a new tune, an empty page and a new story. As I say “bye” to the north, I turn and say “hi” to the west. A new journey awaits, but I do not believe in endings, there are just new beginnings.

As I turn you over and welcome your younger brother, I cannot but keep smiling. The place where it all started, is the place where, it is ending. Almost cinematic, well just a reflection of how the year has been. Still, I am not done with you yet, I am not letting you go anywhere. The 9th of January is the day, my new year truly begins. So, say hello to your younger sibling and sit by my side, as I finish this tale.

Dear friend, it’s time for that one final dance, so come, let us dance…

Regards,

Arjun Karthikeyan

Change is the only constant in life!