The Enchanted Bridge

Kavi laughs as much as the others for the rest of the evening, but I sense she is feeling anxious about her brother. And because she is troubled, I feel uneasy as well. Aunty tries to reassure Kavi that Vikram can take care of himself, but I see the worry that tugs at the corners of the elderly woman’s mouth, making her smile not entirely convincing. That is what it means to be part of a family. Your problems are not your own, because everything is shared. I cannot simply enjoy the party and ignore the anxiety unsettling my kin.

When Kavi first met my siblings, I could tell she was surprised by how different we look. Not only am I much bigger than Lex and Rex, but their scales are no longer purple like mine. My siblings look like twins, with their matching blue scales and orange wings. Yet Auntie explained to me that there are many kinds of families, and so it doesn’t bother me that the members of my family don’t look all the same. Seated around the table with plenty of food to eat and room for everyone to sit comfortably, I feel safe–accepted, valued. I hope everyone here feels the same and knows that they, too, are wanted and welcome.