Holi, March 25, 2024

Green, Red, Turquoise, Yellow, Pink… Paper lanterns, garlands, flowers… So much color! Samira has gone all out for this party. The Patels' backyard has been transformed! 

I’ve seen a few images flash by on the web or tv, but I never knew what the Hindu holiday Holi, the Festival of Colors, celebrates.

My take: the joy and hope of Spring

Hence, color! Vivid, fun, beautiful color! And I love how almost everyone came wearing white – just
to be splashed with colored powder or water.

No wonder Samira handed me a white t-shirt to change into the moment I got here.

What a beautiful party. Great music, smiling adults, excited children…

Colorful, festive food.

I think I have a new favorite drink.

“Samira, this is delicious! What’s it called?”

Samira, looking adorable and happy with pink and turquoise powder on her face and on her long, white, blouse, gives me a big smile.

“You like it?”

“I love it! It’s yummy!”

“It’s called mango lassi.”

“What’s in it? I know there’s mango and yogurt. But what else?”

“Sugar, cardamom, saffron…”

“I can make it at home? If I buy the ingredients, you’ll come show me?”

“Of course!”

“Amy!”

To my shock, Carmen shoots me with a water gun! Green! Green water splashes across my white t-shirt!

War! Jumping up, I grab my crutches and my own water gun, which has orange water.

“Just because I have a sprained ankle does NOT mean I can’t get even.”

Grinning, Carmen raises her brows. “Oh, I think it does.”

She gasps, jumps, and turns around.

Red and yellow water marks are streaked across her back. Emi, Emile, and Amir run off laughing and shrieking.

I take aim. My orange water looks pretty good mixed in.

Carmen turns back around and – surprise! -- Samira shoots her with yellow. I add my orange to the front of her t-shirt.

She fires back with her green water.

We’re all laughing.

​No worries. No thinking. Just color. Laughter. Joy.