A Letter

A Letter from a Sikh mom to her son ::


Pyaaray puttar,Vahe Guru. I'm writing this letter slowly, because I know
you cannot read fast. We don't live where we did when you left home. Your
dad read in the paper that most accidents happen 20 miles from home, so we
moved 20 miles away. I won't be able to send the address of this place,
as the last sardar who stayed here took the house number with him for
their new house so they wouldn't have to change their address.

This place is really nice. It even has a washing machine, situated right
above the commode. I'm not sure it works too well. Last week I put in 3
shirts, pulled the chain and haven't seen them since. The weather here
isn't too bad. It rained only twice last week. The first it rained for 3
days and second time for 4 days. The coat you wanted me to send you, your
Aunt said it would be a little too heavy to send in the mail with all the
metal buttons, so we cut them off and put them in the pocket.

Your father has another job. He has 500 men under him. He is cutting the
grass at the cemetery. Your sister had a baby this morning. I haven't
found out whether it's a girl or a boy, so I don't know whether you are an
Aunt or Uncle.
Your uncle, Jatinder fell in the nearby well. Some men tried to pull him
out, but he fought them off bravely and drowned. We cremated him and he
burned for three days.

Your best friend, Balwinder, is no more. He died trying to fulfil his
father's last wishes. His father had wished to be buried in the sea after
he died. And your friend died while in the process of digging a grave for
his father. There isn't much more news this time. Nothing much has
happened.

Love Mom.