Surekha had been a moment of wild illumination. I cannot disobey her after she is gone. Otherwise there will be no meaning in the fact that she was alive.
Every May and June since 2021, I get anxious, agitated and downright angry at the horror of that time that seemed to have taken away only the most precious, the purest of people, en masse. Thank you for sharing this here (pictures make this even more valuable :)) and reminding us that while loss is inconcievably hard, it is never in vain. In her presence, but also in her absence, Surekha manages to touch lives beyond imagination and shift something deeply within all of us. What a superpower to recognise the superpower in others. 🥹🥹🥹 lots of love.
She brought a lot of sunshine to my TL as well! When she was fundraising in 2020, she refused to accept my donation saying that I had already contributed much more than I could afford. I used to have a lot of guilt in just surviving. Even though she knew nothing about me, she could sense it and see me clearly. I have a screenshot of her tweet saying that she was envious of my ability to love. I go back and look at it sometimes. 💜
losing a friend is so heartbreaking. this is such a lovely tribute — both this piece as well as the fact that you are doing exactly what she wanted you to do. ❤️
"Surekha wanted me to grow fully into myself. I am still mindlessly angry and confused about why she is dead. But I cannot disobey her. Otherwise there will be no meaning in the fact that she was alive." ❤️🩹
What a lovely tribute, Natasha. Loved reading this. I was never able to understand Twitter at all, making it a place for me where I went only to complain about brands but now I feel I should have tried harder, looked around a little more. Maybe I would have discovered Surekha Pillai.
I never knew Surekha Pillai, but I do remember the outpouring of grief when she passed away. She had a huge impact on many lives. Thank you for this beautiful tribute to someone I never knew, but sincerely wish I had.
Natasha, I'm finding this today because I remembered Surekha and her lovely lil notes of love in DMs, via emails. I never got to meet her but we were online friends and what an illuminating presence she was <3
I never knew Surekha. But, every other line you spoke about her reminded me of you, Natasha. You are the gift Surekha left behind for us all. Thank you for passing her gift to us, in the form of you. I've always thought of you the same way: She's just saying these things to me because she's just such a nice person.
But, 1000s of us would rather trust you than trust ourselves. Until we learn to trust ourselves, we will trust you and your words. So, thank you for trusting Surekha eventually and rising to your true self. We owe Surekha and you, big time!
Thanks for sharing about your beautiful, deeply felt and reaffirming connection with Surekha and reminding me of her again as well. It is a cruel, cruel world where we have to say in remembrance of or put the word tribute next to a name that should have continued to be a living presence. And is, in many ways, a continuing presence. I knew her only through Twitter and from sending her pictures of trees that she always appreciated warmly. I am glad I did.
Every May and June since 2021, I get anxious, agitated and downright angry at the horror of that time that seemed to have taken away only the most precious, the purest of people, en masse. Thank you for sharing this here (pictures make this even more valuable :)) and reminding us that while loss is inconcievably hard, it is never in vain. In her presence, but also in her absence, Surekha manages to touch lives beyond imagination and shift something deeply within all of us. What a superpower to recognise the superpower in others. 🥹🥹🥹 lots of love.
“Loss is inconceivably hard, but it is never in vain”
Thank you Sana, and hugs 🤗
She brought a lot of sunshine to my TL as well! When she was fundraising in 2020, she refused to accept my donation saying that I had already contributed much more than I could afford. I used to have a lot of guilt in just surviving. Even though she knew nothing about me, she could sense it and see me clearly. I have a screenshot of her tweet saying that she was envious of my ability to love. I go back and look at it sometimes. 💜
Whatever mithaais of love and witness you received from her, you are multiplying and distributing them amongst people. Thank you.
Oh it is so wonderful to have you in the inner circle of Surekha's family, Raju
♥️ I’m lucky and grateful.
losing a friend is so heartbreaking. this is such a lovely tribute — both this piece as well as the fact that you are doing exactly what she wanted you to do. ❤️
"Surekha wanted me to grow fully into myself. I am still mindlessly angry and confused about why she is dead. But I cannot disobey her. Otherwise there will be no meaning in the fact that she was alive." ❤️🩹
What a lovely tribute, Natasha. Loved reading this. I was never able to understand Twitter at all, making it a place for me where I went only to complain about brands but now I feel I should have tried harder, looked around a little more. Maybe I would have discovered Surekha Pillai.
Thank you for this note, Parul. It is heartening to read that the essay made you want to know Surekha
I never knew Surekha Pillai, but I do remember the outpouring of grief when she passed away. She had a huge impact on many lives. Thank you for this beautiful tribute to someone I never knew, but sincerely wish I had.
Sigh
Natasha, I'm finding this today because I remembered Surekha and her lovely lil notes of love in DMs, via emails. I never got to meet her but we were online friends and what an illuminating presence she was <3
Thanks for sharing Joy
Surekha was truly a woman extraordinaire. Peace be with her always
Thank you for sharing, Gurmeet
I never knew Surekha. But, every other line you spoke about her reminded me of you, Natasha. You are the gift Surekha left behind for us all. Thank you for passing her gift to us, in the form of you. I've always thought of you the same way: She's just saying these things to me because she's just such a nice person.
But, 1000s of us would rather trust you than trust ourselves. Until we learn to trust ourselves, we will trust you and your words. So, thank you for trusting Surekha eventually and rising to your true self. We owe Surekha and you, big time!
P.S. - That artwork by her 11yo is a keepsake <3
PPS - Love that picture of you and Surekha!
Thanks for sharing about your beautiful, deeply felt and reaffirming connection with Surekha and reminding me of her again as well. It is a cruel, cruel world where we have to say in remembrance of or put the word tribute next to a name that should have continued to be a living presence. And is, in many ways, a continuing presence. I knew her only through Twitter and from sending her pictures of trees that she always appreciated warmly. I am glad I did.
… and now we are connected through poetry and stories. Surekha guides us to make connections.
And that is amazing!
Lots of love Natasha .