This week I've celebrated Diwali with Bhavana's family. It felt a little hectic this year. Last year Diwali was in October. The only event we had to contend with was Halloween. We also celebrated my sister-in-laws birthday two days before. This weekend is my birthday and next week we're hosting Thanksgiving. Whew! As a family, we are normally surrounded by the rest of the USA going about their preparations for Thanksgiving and then Christmas. As the kids got older we…
Diwali
This week I've celebrated Diwali with my wife and her family. During this week we will visit the home of each family member, in turn, to break bread and be thankful for all that has happened throughout the last year and celebrate the new. Thanksgiving is my favourite American holiday and Diwali reminds me of the spirit of Thanksgiving. Tonight we lit tiny divas (little clay lamps) to drive away the shadows of evil spirits (it's interesting that Halloween is…
The kids have been celebrating the start of the Diwali holiday with their Ami Massi. Yesterday they made rangoli with each of their names. Together (Shaan, Kiran, Tejus, Nandani) they decorated windows with coloured markers. They drew Happy Diwali and Ganipathy. They lit and placed diyas (rows of lights) on the steps and pathway of Ami's home last night and tonight as well. Tonight they lit sparklers.…