Dear Snehal,
How are you? How old are you now? 60? 65? I wonder if you can read properly, or has that blasted disease affected your vision, too? Do you remember yourself from about 30 years ago? The anxiety, the helplessness, the uncertainty about the future. I hope it is not as bad as you imagined it to be. Can you recollect moments from your own life, or have they been wiped away once again by that merciless tyrant of a disease? I hope you are living with dignity and are surrounded by love, lots of love.
That brings me to your wonderful sons. I imagine that they have grown up to become strapping young men oozing charm, kindness and generosity. Are they good looking? Of course they are! I hope that they have done well for themselves and are making you proud as always. I wonder if R has retired from his working life and that he is making time for himself and for you in particular.
I hope that you are still able to travel far and wide irrespective of the challenges that you face on a daily basis. How do you keep yourself busy now? Do you still read as voraciously as you used to? Are you able to still write? I’m hedging my bets on you having released at least five books by now. Please tell me that you now have at home a dog, or at least a cat or two? I know they always brought you joy, so I sincerely hope that you are basking in their love. Finally, I wish that you are reading this letter out to your best friend who lives across the road from you and that a cure has been found.
Love,
Your younger self
About Snehal Amembal
Snehal (she/her) is a freelance writer, poet and blogger based in London with her husband and two toddlers. Her writing primarily reflects her motherhood journey, memories of her own childhood and the essence of everyday moments. Her debut collection Pause, inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic has been recently published. She is a Young Onset Parkinson's Disease warrior and creates awareness of the condition through her writing. She also reviews books authored by writers of South Asian heritage on her blog Desi Lekh.
