Sisterhood!!

My very first memory about Anita was, every one talking about how beautiful new neighbor's girl is when they moved to our Omnagar colony. I was awestruck with this teenage girl who was not only beautiful but had an amazing sense of dressing and cool vibes. Befriending her was not at all a big deal….she loved people! And she wanted them around her all the time and that’s how our friendship started 24 years ago.

It was only natural for Anita to push our friendship into more meaningful sisterhood…….oh yeah! She was one possessive sister watching out for me, critiquing, teaching, supporting, advising and loving me since.

Even though we schemed several times to live close by, life took us in two different directions. But she was always there for me just a phone call or an email away. Whenever we met, hours would just melt away….she loved to stay up late with me watching bollywood movies, catching up with gossip and somehow between all this she would cook a delicious meal, plan for outings and of course, make sure that she is impeccably dressed every minute. I once asked her where she gets her enthusiasm to dress so well all the time and her reply….”Oh! I love clothes and I see them as part of celebrating our life”. That's what Anita is all about 'enjoying' and simply 'living life' thru thick and thin.

I miss her now and will continue to at every turn rest of my life. But the friendship & sisterhood she built between us does not end with her not being here…..it will continue on with her family, Neel and Ved her two charming kids and her doting husband Raghu.

It was hard for me to reason with the events in last 3 years of Anita’s life. But she went thru her illness with unsettled determination. Life got as brutal as it can get and it was devastating to hear her loss. Knowing her as long as I did….I can only guess what she wants us do now. Pick up all the pieces and move on.

Here’s our chance to move forward. Let’s reminisce on all our memories of Anita and celebrate her life.

Pratima Bandla
Salt Lake City, Utah