02/04/2025
I’ve learned that my niece, Naina, is no less than a wizard. She lives magically! She hears distant sounds that we miss. She sees the world in contours and colors. She has been trained to show empathy, to take care of herself, to navigate a world that often doesn’t make space for her.
She may play rough, but not once has she hurt another child. She fights for what we take for granted and turns the ordinary into something extraordinary.
If a sorting hat were to place her in one house, I’m sure it would struggle. She carries the courage of Gryffindor, the wisdom of Ravenclaw, the loyalty of Hufflepuff, and the ambition of Slytherin.
In my eyes, she will always be the girl who lives – through every challenge, embraces it, and uses it to become her own wonderful self.
Here’s to Naina and others who are waiting for us to understand, mature and accept them in the world we all share.
Naina taught me that one does not need to understand something thoroughly to be able to respond kindly towards it. Have you been fortunate enough to learn a lesson that makes us better? Write it in comments.
