What an honest telling of a hard time conquered with courage. I heard it in your voice Sana and it will stay with me through the day. And particularly when I see a cat. Wishing you a good week ahead.
Thank you! I am touched to hear you were moved by my story. This essay also helped me love Sticker a whole lot more (if that was even possible!). Lots of love!
What you find within is more worthy than what you will find in any store or any place under the sun. May sticker and you keep finding the jewel that is YOU!
Heyy Sana your story and your heartful writing of it has melted me. My big take away is the thread of hope and joy that runs through despite the enormity of the challenges you faced..yes Natasha and Raju have offered such a trusting space with Ochre.. such a fortune!! may your cat commune continue to thrive and may you continue to find the inspiration to tell the stories that emerge like only Sana can.
Thank you my dearest Shalini. I am glad that all of you echo my sentiment of hope & joy and take that away from the piece. We are fortunate indeed! I feel extra special and honored to have witnessed so many stories and evocative pieces in our cohort. Invaluable. Here's to many more stories waiting to be told. In their time. Inshallah.
Gorgeous cat and gorgeous-er essay. What a beautiful truimph and embodiment of the female spirit. I'm here for it. And glad to be able to witness it in such a full-bodied writing style.
Thank you Noirtanki! Reading your comment makes me gush and blush saath saath! Looking forward to more writing (and reading) #NoPressure I SAID NO PRESSURE, SANA!
Thanks for leading the way on Ochre Sky Stories. I have read your piece & literally forced others to read it many many times. It is HILARIOUS and so special. Funny, how I too thought your writing was in such a great 'full bodied writing' style!
As I read this essay, something rose up within my chest and as soon as I saw the last picture, one of Sticker, I burst into tears. Thank you for sharing this, Sana. What a journey! What a friendship! Lots of love to you all.
Thank you fellow Ochre Sky stories author (extraordinaire!). Your comment did that to me. I was holding back all the overwhelming feelings of the day but the dam broke finally. Now responding to all of you wonderful people after a good cathartic ugly cry! :D
A lovely read. The ins and outs and highs and lows of the pandemic and how we all blundered thru them. Plus some serious life issues. With a couple of cats thrown in for good measure! The illustrations were delightful!!
I cried and felt hopeful at the same time. Never felt this combination of emotions together in 10 minutes. Hope your find more stickers who stick to you and take you on unexpected, beautiful journeys.
Awwe Anisha. I didn't foresee the impact and effect dropping my big feelings without warning would have on the others. But am delighted that it evoked so many different emotions for so many. Definitely helps silence my inner critic! Thank you for your comment and your love.
This is extraordinary writing. Gentle, funny, heart wrenching, madly hopeful - a story of delicate tiny love enabling us to climb big granite mountains. Sana-Sticker, you are shero pair
Thank you Manisha! Your comment is making me and Sticker break into a silly grin. What a wonderfully warm space this is. Still holding your Ochre Sky piece in my heart too. To courage and the adventures that await us all on the other side of the big granite mountains! 🤗
Thank you Dipali! It was the magic of the safe, loving space nurtured and nourished by our parent-teachers Natasha & Raju. The sharing became easy and cathartic. I can proudly claim I was in the company of some very beautiful souls who wrote equally (and at times much more) moving pieces. I am a changed person after the workshop, thanks to that!
What an honest telling of a hard time conquered with courage. I heard it in your voice Sana and it will stay with me through the day. And particularly when I see a cat. Wishing you a good week ahead.
Thank you! I am touched to hear you were moved by my story. This essay also helped me love Sticker a whole lot more (if that was even possible!). Lots of love!
So beautifully written although I did listen to the audio the first time.
Cats are magical creatures. I often find myself introspecting with my cat around. And she’s taught my a lot over the past 4 years.
Sana, it fills my heart. Lovely listen and read. Thank you
Thank you SR!
This is such a beautiful essay accompanied by such lovely illustrations and photographs 💜 Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you Ila. I need to come clean <gulp> : Essay was written by Sticker, the illustrations were done by Tiny. I was only the photograph provider.
Ah! This piece filled my heart with happiness. An absolutely perfect way to start the day.
Thanks for saying that Binu. The glow of all these generous comments will see me through all the good and bad days ahead.
Sana such gorgeous honesty. These critters are such pests and such sneaky ways of conquering your heart. Chance hi nahi tha bachne ka
Hahaha bilkul Roshni.
What you find within is more worthy than what you will find in any store or any place under the sun. May sticker and you keep finding the jewel that is YOU!
Thank you my Shenanigan. Love you. To great adventures that await onwards and upwards.
Heyy Sana your story and your heartful writing of it has melted me. My big take away is the thread of hope and joy that runs through despite the enormity of the challenges you faced..yes Natasha and Raju have offered such a trusting space with Ochre.. such a fortune!! may your cat commune continue to thrive and may you continue to find the inspiration to tell the stories that emerge like only Sana can.
Thank you my dearest Shalini. I am glad that all of you echo my sentiment of hope & joy and take that away from the piece. We are fortunate indeed! I feel extra special and honored to have witnessed so many stories and evocative pieces in our cohort. Invaluable. Here's to many more stories waiting to be told. In their time. Inshallah.
Gorgeous cat and gorgeous-er essay. What a beautiful truimph and embodiment of the female spirit. I'm here for it. And glad to be able to witness it in such a full-bodied writing style.
Thank you Noirtanki! Reading your comment makes me gush and blush saath saath! Looking forward to more writing (and reading) #NoPressure I SAID NO PRESSURE, SANA!
Thanks for leading the way on Ochre Sky Stories. I have read your piece & literally forced others to read it many many times. It is HILARIOUS and so special. Funny, how I too thought your writing was in such a great 'full bodied writing' style!
As I read this essay, something rose up within my chest and as soon as I saw the last picture, one of Sticker, I burst into tears. Thank you for sharing this, Sana. What a journey! What a friendship! Lots of love to you all.
Thank you fellow Ochre Sky stories author (extraordinaire!). Your comment did that to me. I was holding back all the overwhelming feelings of the day but the dam broke finally. Now responding to all of you wonderful people after a good cathartic ugly cry! :D
A lovely read. The ins and outs and highs and lows of the pandemic and how we all blundered thru them. Plus some serious life issues. With a couple of cats thrown in for good measure! The illustrations were delightful!!
Thank you Alaknanda! Glad you noticed and liked the illustrations. I had so much fun making them. Hat-tipping your use of "blundered through them". :D
I cried and felt hopeful at the same time. Never felt this combination of emotions together in 10 minutes. Hope your find more stickers who stick to you and take you on unexpected, beautiful journeys.
Awwe Anisha. I didn't foresee the impact and effect dropping my big feelings without warning would have on the others. But am delighted that it evoked so many different emotions for so many. Definitely helps silence my inner critic! Thank you for your comment and your love.
“You are always worthy of space. ” Beautifully written!
Thank you Nusrat!
This is extraordinary writing. Gentle, funny, heart wrenching, madly hopeful - a story of delicate tiny love enabling us to climb big granite mountains. Sana-Sticker, you are shero pair
Hai na?! She's brilliant!
Thank you Manisha! Your comment is making me and Sticker break into a silly grin. What a wonderfully warm space this is. Still holding your Ochre Sky piece in my heart too. To courage and the adventures that await us all on the other side of the big granite mountains! 🤗
Love and Hugs Sana
Thank you Sukanthammm! Now you know-know! 🥸 🙈 Sigh. Big hug right back at ya!
So profound, poignant, beautiful. Much love to you all, which includes your not-friend Sticker and Tiny. All good wishes.
Thank you Dipali! It was the magic of the safe, loving space nurtured and nourished by our parent-teachers Natasha & Raju. The sharing became easy and cathartic. I can proudly claim I was in the company of some very beautiful souls who wrote equally (and at times much more) moving pieces. I am a changed person after the workshop, thanks to that!