Life sometimes throws us into walls that don’t crack. We feel only pain. In those moments, this pesky little thing called love shows up. Sometimes quiet, sometimes loud, often silly, but always steady. This blog is me showing up for Prachi.
Two Parallel Lives
My dear friend, Dr. Prachi Thakur, is living two lives at once. Like a pendulum that swings from the left to the right, she is swaying from happiness to sorrow, from joy to pain, from bliss to guilt, from planning for the future to dreading it.
One side has her father, her hero, Shyam uncle, battling stomach cancer, the kind that makes doctors look you in the eye and say, “There’s not much we can do now.” On the other side, she just started a new life with her husband.
How do you keep swinging without losing your footing? How do you crack Newton-Apple jokes while fundraising for your terminally ill father’s care? You do it by being Prachi.
The Secret Power of Humour (and LinkedIn 😆)
We met via the LinkedIn Creator Accelerator Program, an ambitious place where getting attention means someone else loses it. Prachi, Riddhi, Mrinal, Supriya, Rahul, and Jatin were not this (for me). We cared more about laughing with each other than growing on LinkedIn. We roasted ourselves and our creations. We have collaborated to make funny videos. Basically, we are all Chandler Bing. All the Chandlers found each other and laughed as much as they could along the way.
One day, Prachi said she was coming to meet me. I did not think she would come, but Prachi came. Lipstick on point, laughing all the way. We ate, we went around the city looking at Gujarati snack aisles, and we slithered on my cool stone tiles. I don’t know much about life, but I do know this: when you find someone who will chill on the floor with you, hold on tight and don’t let go.
Prachi, I am not sharing those photos here. I will burden you with that decision. #JustCreatorThings
Prachi is a survivor. When your life has been a fight, you learn to laugh and disassociate. That is how you keep going. The strength and sass you see come from her upbringing. It is a testament to what supportive parenting does to a person.
Like all dads, Shyam Uncle waited for his prize fighter to find her match, the son-in-law of his dreams. All this joy he had longed for finally arrived, and so did the damn cancer. It is trying to kill him, but Uncle is like, “Nope, we are not doing this today. I am soaking in the joy of the moment. I will keep living.” He hopes, so does his entire family. Life is carrying on as usual, with added visits to the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai.
One side is grief. The other side is joy. People on both sides are smiling.
Now we Talk about Rhu-Rhu
I didn’t want to burden Prachi by attempting to make her laugh. I hate when people facing sadness have to put on a show to make the rest of us comfortable. But I reached out and eventually told her about rhubarb. Yes, the plant. Don’t judge me: I am a book editor and a nerd who also gardens. Yes, I am a proud cliché.
Home gardeners usually cover the rhubarb plant with a bucket when it is growing. Rhubarb grows sweeter in the dark. The bucket blocks out all the light, but Rhu-Rhu is determined to find the light. It believes in the presence of light, and this determination makes it grow taller. When the bucket is finally lifted, Rhu-Rhu shoots up: vibrant, red, and alive.
I think Prachi laughed when she said, “So, Rhu is like my soul plant.”
I said, “Yup. Nutritious. Gorgeous. Thrives in darkness. Thrives in light. Turns into jams and pies. Can be poisonous if not prepared right.“
Honestly, it fits Prachi well. She is in her rhubarb era.
Why I am making You Read This
This blog isn’t just a tribute to our friendship. It’s a character certificate. It’s a public letter vouching for Prachi’s integrity, her strength, and her humanity.
If you’ve stumbled across her fundraiser link and wondered:
- Is this genuine?
- Is this someone worth helping?
The only answer is yes.
Yes. She is real. Her father’s illness is real. Her pain is real. Her courage is unmatched. Her humour is on point. And her need is urgent and important.
Help!
If you have someone who makes you laugh or hold space for your mess, someone who lifts people up, now’s the moment to lift back. Donate.
I’ve donated and shared her fundraiser in every circle I know. If your budget allows, I’m asking you to do the same.
Final Note
Fuck cancer.
This damn disease takes so many from the world. Love deserves to win, damn it. I will hold on to my Rhu-Rhu, hoping these dark times will lead to something sweet when the bucket lifts. People rallying around this beautiful family is a joy to behold. When all else fails, the light, people, show up.
You all are the silver lining.
🖤 Thank you.
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