I remember visiting my best friend, Jen, during her first year of teaching 1st grade.
I got there around noon so the kids were just finishing lunch and lining up at the door. They were wiggly and animated and not ready to settle down and start working.
Jen was obviously accustomed to this so she asked all her students to gather at the carpet to do a quick check-in before she sent them off to their seats.
One of her students, a six-year old Indian girl, lingered around near the door. Close to where I was standing. Probably curious why a girl who looked like her – but, perhaps, sixty times larger than her – was visiting their classroom.
Jen called her name from the carpet and she quickly scurried over to join her classmates.
The check-in required each student to go around the circle and say, “I feel ________ because __________. ”
The first kid said, “I feel excited because we had extra time at the playground today.”
The next kid said, “I feel tired because it is hot outside.”
After a few students shared their feelings, the little Indian girl was up. She quietly whispered, “I feel excited.” Jen prompted her to continue by saying, “You feel excited? Why do you feel excited?”
“I feel excited because I am going to India tomorrow,” she responded.
Her eyes met mine and there was a sparkle in them.
We stared at each other for a few seconds and then the next student began his turn.
At the end of the check-ins, Jen walked up to me and whispered, “She’s not actually going to India tomorrow. That was her way of connecting with you and letting you know she was Indian too.”
It warmed my heart.
It made me a little teary-eyed, to be quite honest.
This little Indian kid had probably not seen many other Indian people. Aside from her family. So she jumped at the opportunity to connect with me. Another Indian. Because we had something in common. And she recognized it and wanted me to recognize it too.
It seemed so cute. Childish. But cute.
Something that is expected of a six-year old.
But I’m brought back to that moment today, as a woman in her 30s, because I experienced my own, “I’m going to India” moment yesterday.
We have two Indian faculty members at the vet school. Both from India.
Last night, our Associate Dean had a Halloween party at his house. And both of them showed up. One of them brought his wife and his two kids.
And I was over-the-moon-ecstatic.
I felt like I was with my family again. Speaking to them about Indian food, where our families were from in India, all things brown-and-proud.
I felt a sense of pride when they asked me if I spoke Hindi.
And I felt a kind of connection that I haven’t experienced in a long time.
I am, obviously, well adapted to living somewhere where there aren’t a ton of Indian people. But when you stumble upon people who have the same culture and background and upbringing you did, it just fills your heart in a really special way.
It’s funny looking back at that moment in Jen’s classroom.
At the time, it felt so silly. And childish.
But, the truth is, no matter how old we get, we are all seeking connection with the people we come across.
Whether it be in the form of race or ethnicity, a career or a common celebrity crush.
We all want to feel connected.
We all have our, “I’m going to India” moments.
Connection is why we are here. We are hardwired to connect with others.
Question of the Day:
- Tell me about one of your, “I’m going to India” moments.
OH SO SO SO MANY THROUGHOUT MY LIFE AND RIGHT NOW.
Im struggling financially #nofakingithere BUT BUT BUT I do have connection and repeatedly remind myself that is more precious.
It is always cool to find a way to connect with someone else, I always feel that way when I realize I have some past connection or commonality with someone (we went to the same school, playef the same instrument, etc).
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups recently posted…Weekend Recap – Halloween fun and hubs cooked meals
When I met you …. an instant connection. Still can’t define why but oh so thankful you came into my life.
I love connecting with other people through the internet (‘coz I’m too introverted to do it in person HAHA) I get curious about how other people live ‘coz I know that the way I live isn’t the way others live. (Does that even make sense?) When I meet other Filipinos in blogging facebook groups, I get ecstatic. ‘Coz you understand each other in a different level. Maybe because of the same cultural background. So yeah, I totally understand “I’m going to India” moments. 🙂
This is such a beautiful post Divya – both the connection you made with that little girl (that I’m sure will stick with her for years to come) and the connections you were able to make at that party. We do all crave that connection with someone and it’s so beautiful when we find it!
Beth recently posted…Fall SP Box Reveal
I LOVE this. Without connection, we often lose a sense of who we are. Anytime Pai and I see an interracial couple out in public, we always want to go over and say hi. We don’t just randomly run up to strangers and say “We’re interracial too!” But in a place where it’s less common, we feel solidarity whenever we run into someone else like us. I can imagine how excited you were to meet up with other Indian people in that small town!
Christina @ Hugs and Lattes recently posted…3 Steps to Take Towards Your Dreams Today
Divya Budhraja-Mathur, I feel so connected with you. Perhaps I just came back from India or I am Indian or even maybe I want to grow up and become an amazing blogger like you. Your ability to think things, events, people and then articulate those into words has never stopped to amaze me. Each time I read Eat Teach Blog, I cannot stop getting teary eyed!! Keep on writing your heart out as it’s just out of purity!! Just love it!!
This was such a great story! I’ve had a lot of these moments myself. Being plus-size, I always try to connect with other plus-size women to talk about struggles with confidence, shopping, etc. I’ve had those same moments with others of my faith (we are often in minority where I’m from). They are so important so you don’t feel alone!
This is such a wonderful, heartwarming post. Thank you so much for sharing. My husband is South Korean and has mentioned these ‘connections’ before and how nice they are for him.
Laura @ The Mindful Mom Blographer recently posted…What the Heck Does Hygge Mean, Anyway? + 13 Ways to Bring Hygge Into Your Life
I love how you throw the “I’m going to India” in a sentence. I totally get what you mean. This post warms my heart.
I love this. With so much time spent on social media, connecting with people in real life is so important. I feel a connection every time I find a mom or twins or someone that is a twin, and especially a preemie mom. There are things it seems only they can understand, and that connection feels amazing.
Shann Eva recently posted…Complicated Pregnancy: Severide’s Story
Thanks for sharing Divya
I think without connection without being connected to others we will be floating around like lost souls.
<3 isn't that the truth… the most precious words are "me, too"!
San recently posted…October Favorites
Aw, that’s such a sweet story about the little girl. I think it’s very human to want to find a connection with people!
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Blog Stop: Life on Pause + Giveaway
How adorable of the way that little girl connected with you! And I am so glad that you were able to connect with others at the Halloween party!
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy recently posted…Weekend Recap {10.30.17}
So important to have a tribe and a place where you fit in and feel like you belong!
Debra recently posted…Roasted Carrot and Fennel Salad
So sweet! Connection is so important 🙂
Akaleistar recently posted…Fall Sweet Progress Box Swap Reveal
Such a lovely post my dear DivPiv.
My friend Beeps read this post earlier today and told me how much she loves reading your Blog.
How she feels connected with you even though she has met you only a few times.
I was waiting for this quiet moment (close to midnight) to read it.
Filled my heart on how well you have described the precious moment you had with the 6 year old and how you connected that moment to your halloween party last night.
After all, we are human and it is but natural and normal to have those moments in our lives.
God Bless you on how well you have adapted to your new life (over a year) in Tn.
Love Lots.