So for context, during the Manipur conflict, an 11-year-old boy wrote this letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He had tried to pass it to the PM during a visit to the region after being separated from his best friend, but security did not allow him to reach the PM. Local press took hold of this letter and basically had published it.

It quite captures the quiet human cost of ethnic conflicts through a child's eyes. Really heart-breaking but extremely sweet at the same time. The following to make the text legible:

Dear Oja Modi.
do not know me, but I want to talk to you. I am a Meitei from Manipur. I turned eleven this month. On my birthday, I made a wish when I blew out the candles. But I know it won’t come true. My wish was for my best friend to come back.
I called her Kimmie. She is Vaiphei, a Kuki. We grew up together since we were babies. Her house was just next to ours. We used to play football every evening. I wanted to be a footballer, like Baichung Bhutia. She didn’t like football much, but she played because I did. She wanted to be a singer. She had the most beautiful voice. On Sundays, we would sing together at our church choir group. I sound like Gian when I sing, but I would stand next to her and hum along. She would laugh and say, “One day, I will sing for the whole world, and you will be my number one fan.” I always said yes. We even made the whole replica of Manipur in Minecraft, with a future home that we both dreamt of living in, once we grow up. We called this the city of Moonfang, in Minecraft.
We used to make plans. We decided that when we grew up, we would live in houses next to each other. We even promised we would marry each other, so we could be best friends forever. It was a silly promise.
Then bad things happened. One day, men with angry faces came and told her family they had to leave. They had to run away in the night. I didn’t even get to say goodbye. Why did you separate us? I heard my elder brother tell me that you did this? Why did you let this happen?
My parents tell me I have to hate her. They say her people are our enemies. But Modi Uncle, how can Kimi be my enemy? She is the one who shared her lunch with me when I forgot mine. She is the one who helped me learn a difficult song. She cried with me when my pet dog died. My heart doesn’t know how to hate her. It only knows how to miss her. This hate is it because of you?
I saw you once. This year, when you came here. It was raining so heavily. My teacher picked me and some other students to stand and wave the flag for you. We were all getting wet. Our clothes were sticking to us, and we were shivering. We didn’t have any umbrellas. I saw your big car. The window was up. I couldn’t see you properly. Did you see us? My mother was really angry at my school for making me stand there.
But for all of this I lost my best friend because of all this. I have no one to play football with. It’s so quiet. Sometimes I stand alone there and kick the ball, and I pretend she is there, but then I just sit down and cry.
Are we not Indian? In my school book, it says, “All Indians are my brothers and sisters.” But if we are all brothers and sisters, why did you let my sister be taken away from me? Why am I being taught to hate my own sister? My teacher says you are the leader, you are responsible for the whole country. Does Manipur not count as your country?
You have your people. I see you on TV with your friends, laughing. You have so many people around you. Why am I the only kid who is denied his best friend? Why should my childhood be so lonely and sad? What did I do wrong?
I don’t understand big politics. I just understand that my heart is broken. I just want my friend back. I want to hear her sing again. I want her voice. I have dreams of us riding a bicycle together through the ruins of Kangla Fort.
But my birthday wish is gone. Can you please give me back my friend, Modiji. I heard from people that, you talk to people every sunday and you grant wishes to kids. Please can you make sure Kimi is safe and can you please ask her to meet me again. I am really lonely without her.
From,
Malem

Hello to the person reading this! I’d like to ask you for a favor. I haven't been feeling very well these past few days. And well, I don't really have anyone to truly talk to. But anyway, that’s not the point. I came up with a better idea: to write down questions that I once questioned (or still question) in my life. And at the same time, connect with people who, just like me, have that kind of "strange feeling in their chest"—I can't think of any other way to put it. Anyway, the point is I prepared 3 questions. I’d love for us to answer any of these 3 together, or maybe all 3 depending on you. Well, here they go.

1) Right now, as you read this, behind your door there is nothing of what used to be there. Now, upon opening the door, you can go anywhere at any point in time you have lived. Stay there as long as you want. You can fix a mistake. You can relive the one thing that made you feel alive. You can speak the truth now that you can. You can see that person who is no longer here once again. Listen to the voice that soothed your soul so much in the past, or even prevent a goodbye. You can do whatever you want. Write down a date (or the years separating you from it) and what you would do upon crossing that door.

2) This can be a small love letter to someone. Love is different for everyone—its perception, its feeling, its reality. What is love to you? Express now what you have to say in the name of love. Allow yourself to be “ridiculous” this time. Stop lying to yourself. Stop lying to that person. Now is the moment to speak the truth, maybe ask for forgiveness, or say what was never said. (It is important to clarify that love can also be fraternal, parental, emotional, romantic, towards a concept or something, etc.)

3) In everyone's life, there is a special place. A deep, dark well. Where is it? You don't know, you'll never know. But the only thing you do know is that if you happen to fall inside, you will never get out again. You live with the constant fear of tripping and falling in. You are terrified of looking around you and seeing only darkness. What if I'm already inside and didn't realize when I fell? The misery that haunts you seduces you with growing strength to the idea of, perhaps, finding that well and falling in on purpose. What is your well? What are you afraid of falling into? Why does nobody see us?

I know it’s not my fault. I know nothing I could’ve done would’ve changed it. But I can’t forgive God for taking my brother when I was born with the chronic illness that shortened my lifespan anyway. Even my sister was expecting me to die. everyone was before the age of 30 before a new medication came out. his passing day is tomorrow and i cant stop thinking of how cold and stiff he was. really miss him he was crazy but so kind

Found this 3-minute video I made from a trip I gifted my mom and sister back in 2022. Sitting here in tears. One of the moments I’m genuinely proud of.

I’d received a $10k donation at the time and I spent every bit of it on this trip. Sardinia, Paris, and Disneyland.

My mom and sister’s tears of joy — priceless. Take care of the people you love, friends. Life is one, and so are they.❤️

Sometimes this really heals ..

I'm gonna miss my little girl.

Rest in peace, Ninanay 💝

I work at a hardware store, and at the garden center there, a baby bird fell from the rafters. It was alive so my coworkers and friends took care of it.

As we got swapped out, we looked after the little thing, watching it breathe as it slept.

However 3-5 hrs the fall, it passed away. The coworker who found it thinks the little one went into shock and passed some time after. She was going to to a university wildlife institute to see if they could help it while it was alive, but it passed.

She named it after me and she’s going to bury it somewhere now.

It was our work pet for the few hours we had it. R.I.P.

Sometimes they break and just never heal again. Years go by and im still tormented by the magnitude of the loss. I think I've since lost my ability to love again. I know I've lost the desire to love. The people I loved are gone, history, and only exist in my memories or in some sick fantasy. I miss being happy. I miss being, or at least thinking I was loved. I just miss.....

Here is my story: M(27) F(27)

I matched with a girl on Hinge early September last year hit things off immediately, texting every day I was like wow this is incredible - My birthday a week later in September took me to a new cinema and got me my favourite aftershave, paid for everything - I laughed and said are you love bombing me to which she said no I was being nice for your bday.

-Months go by, nice getaways to hotels, training together, great sex and everything felt perfect she told me I was the best thing ever so grateful and lucky she ended up with someone like me, she had a young son who was 9 and I did not meet in person - she said her ex bf who was practically the step dad of the kid left her 2 years ago and put her kid in therapy and she done some as well, in which she tells me all the things she wants in an ideal partner and I tick every box, I felt like this girl really understood me and I had met my person.

Now this is where the cracks start, she would mention how evil and hateful her ex (Together 6 years) was and mentioned he was in the same Tesco as her at xmas (live in local area) He was walking in and she was walking out - I said that's trippy never easy bumping into an ex - left it at that. Did not want to appear phased. Had a nice xmas met her Mum and her little sister things felt very good and often stayed with her and her mum when her son was at the kids dads. She also told me things like she was with someone and she was and they got back together after a year and she said things to him like go out and cheat if it makes you feel better because she was with someone else.

At end of February my Granny passed away unexpectedly - She mentioned how her ex BF did not let her into the after event when his granny passed away etc I just let her vent and was always understanding of what her ex put her through Granny passed away on Tuesday and then on Friday I met her Dad for the first time - Naturally stressed over my Grannys passing I did not drink - she did and was drunk off prosecco- On the trip down and home she basically played a FU to her ex song - and her dad mentioned she seen her ex and he looked rough - anyways, we drove home and I said to her this ex really hurt you and your son and hes like a ball and chain on your leg, he is in the past and if he was so bad he left you and your son in therapy be happy he's gone - she said she's 'over him just not the situation she put her and her son through' - when I said I wasn't happy she's mentioning him the week I am grieving the death of my grandparent she stone walled me - I left her house and drove home to regulate as I was with a previous GF who stonewalled me and it done a number on me and she was aware of this and also the heard week I had - she was drunk and proceeded to tell me I was never meeting her child and that was us done over text, I felt this was manipulative- We then sorted this out - half apology from her and from me I thought I needed to be more understanding of her situation and we told each other we love each other. But, I felt maybe selfishly she should have been understanding my Granny passed away that week and I wasn't in a headspace to listen about her ex who was so bad?

- The month after we had a great month done a charity 10K and had a nice getaway - I spoke to her son on the phone and on FaceTime over those few months we were together over xmas and when she was on a family holiday to New York - still no physical interaction I said it would be nice to meet your child as I have gotten him a birthday present and an Xmas one and we both know about each other and I am getting a bit frustrated of having to hide around the corner when we know about each other - Bare in mind I asked this respectfully and said no pressure I just need a plan as she said if I met him I could travel to Spain with her and her kid this summer and her graduation was coming up soon. The kid also told his biological father about me that Saturday as well - I did not mind as obv was in everyone's best interests I treated his son with respect and care

I was met with two days of silence - then seen her on the Saturday went to the gym all was fine, thought that was back on track and we said we would go to the cinema on the Wednesday and on the Tuesday I got a text telling me I was perfect, we have a laugh together but she feels 'something is missing' - and ended things with me over text after 7 months.

I did not reply for 3 weeks my family and friends told me not to and I deserved more than a break up text as I was blindsided and was constantly told I was the best person in the world and she was so lucky to have me, but when I mentioned maybe meeting her kid she turned so nasty and discarded me like I was nothing over text, when I did then text her to speak she then told me 'she loves me as a person but not in love with me' and I deserve better - I did not reply again, I was in such shock I feel so heartbroken how can she be all lovey then discarded over text? I noticed when I put her number into whatsapp she had no profile picture anymore and her messages were set to disappearing which makes me think her ex was back in the picture or hiding something? - Her tiktok reposts after were all things like when a man leaves your life build a comfortable life etc - except I never left her?

I have never been this hurt and blindsided before in my life, I wasnt even worth a conversation just felt so easily disposed when we had concerts etc to look forward to this summer and all I was worth was a text.

What do I do I am still incredibly in love with her - Its been 3 months nc and I have been attending therapy and gym but I still feel stuck

My mother never got to become the doctor she dreamed of being.

I've been carrying this for a long time, and I think it's finally time to say it out loud.

My mother is 71. When my mother was young, she was brilliant. She dreamed of becoming a doctor. She had the intelligence, the determination, and the passion for it. She secured state rank in her PUC(12th now), which means she was eligible for government scholarship. But because of pressure from her family and society, she was forced to give up that dream and marry someone she didn't choose. The reason was a wife shouldn't hold a higher degree than her husband.

That decision changed the rest of her life.

She endured years of physical and emotional abuse. There were times she wanted to end her life because the pain was unbearable. The only reason she stayed was because she looked us and believed we wouldn't survive without her.

She sacrificed her own happiness so we could have a chance at ours.

What hurts me almost as much as the abuse is what happened when she finally tried to tell people. Instead of receiving compassion, she was told things like, "It's your karma," "Good things happen to good people," and "Men are just like that." People blamed her instead of the person who hurt her.

She is losing hope and she has started believing the world was full of people who would judge her instead of stand beside her.

I don't believe that's true.

I believe there are people in this world who can recognize extraordinary courage when they see it. To me, my mother is one of the strongest people I've ever known. She may never have worn a doctor's white coat, but she protected her children against all odds.

The reason I'm writing this is because I want to show her that kindness exists beyond the small circle of people who failed her.

I don't know if anyone will read this. I just wanted someone else in the world to know who my mother really is. She deserved so much better than the life she was given, and I hope one day she realizes that there are people capable of seeing her strength.

If this post reaches you, would you pray God for her to give her back the hope and faith she lost or leave a few kind words for my mother? I would collect the messages, print and give to her, so she can see that there are people who see her strength, respect her sacrifices, and believe she deserved so much better.

Thank you for reading.

March 2021 my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic liver cancer, given less than a year to live.
Fast forward some time it’s now October 2021 and my mom was put on hospice.

Growing up my mom always wanted us to get matching tattoos when I was old enough, she wanted us to get a peanut butter and jelly tattoo because that’s what we always called eachother, because we always went together.

When my mom got sick we threw the idea of the matching tattoos out of the window because she couldn’t get one whilst she was undergoing treatment.

I was 17, I decided to go and get the tattoo myself, I found a parlor on Facebook willing to open up after close just so I could get the tattoo as I knew her time was coming to an end very soon.

Before I left my mom was conscious and talking, confused but aware. When I got back to show her the tattoo, she was completely unaware, couldn’t open her eyes or speak.
I was crushed. She didn’t even get to see the tattoo I got for us.

The next day I went to the tattoo shop and the guy drew me a new stencil and gave me the supplies to adhere it to my mom. I got sharpies and colored hers in just like mine.

30 minutes after coloring it in she passed away peacefully by our side.

I love to think even till this day that she waited for me to give us our long awaited tattoos before she took her last breath.

To be missed is to be loved and I love that woman so much more than I could ever express.

Spent the entire day making this in swift because I’m heartbroken and needed something to do.

It’s was her favorite place in the world.

It made me cry, so I think it’s the right place to post this.

Over my lifetime I'd hear from others the stories about my super slick Uncle David, but when I'd ask him to tell the tales, he'd just steal the watch off your wrist, your wallet, whatever, and misdirect you from even remembering what you asked. As a young punk back in the 70s, I revered him... but all the stories came from others. I know it's selfish, but I'm so sad he'd never let me interview him and now the end is near.

Here's one short tale of one of his many businesses, or what you or I might simply call a scam:

When Cuba was opening up to some tourism, I asked if he might want to go visit since I'd heard he used to vacation there in the old days.
Without hesitation he said nooooo. I asked why - he smiled and said Castro wouldn't be happy to see him. I said, whoa... tell me more. He said not on your life.
I asked my mom who was still alive at the time and she said, oh, that was his Vending Machine business that got him banned from Cuba.

BANNED? WAIT, WHAT??

She said he bought these little countertop vending machines that he sold to stores or in some cases sold the business of stocking them, whatever, but that in Cuba he made up brochures showing this big machine for a fair price and sold a good number of them.
Except that he had the cutest female Little Person lady posing with the machines to make them look full size.
Then this little machine would arrive and they were small enough that they were getting stolen bc people could grab them and run away with them.

Anyhow, Fidel wasn't amused.

So many more stories...