The Life We Never Saw Coming

To those reading this, cherish what you have. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Appreciate the mundane, the ordinary, the unspectacular moments of health and freedom. Because nothing—absolutely nothing—is guaranteed. Life changes in an instant. And when it does, all that remains is how well you lived before it happened. 

I write this today after my wife suffered her 3rd seizure late last night. It lasted for 45 lifetime seconds. It scared me. It scared her. 

Nearly five years ago, Alka and I were a whirlwind of energy—a couple that thrived on travel, food, conversations, and the thrill of life itself. She, the life of every gathering, effortlessly balancing work, friendships, and our adventures. I, always by her side, reveling in the sheer joy of our togetherness.

Then, like a thief in the night, a brain stroke struck, stealing from us the ease and normalcy we once took for granted. Life didn’t just change; it transformed into an unrelenting battle, one filled with hospital corridors, endless scans, and doctors who spoke in measured, often ominous tones. Words like "risk," "damage," and "uncertainty" became a part of our daily vocabulary, stripping away the lightness of life we once took for granted

A stroke is not just a medical event; it is a seismic shift that alters everything—relationships, independence, and even the very essence of who you are.

Fear became a daily visitor. Anxiety, a constant companion. The simplest things—walking, eating, laughing, doing your washroom duties, holding your spouse's face lovingly with both hands, giving your back a good scratch when needed—became major hurdles.

And yet, we endure. Not because we have a choice, but because love demands it. The roles reversed, the dynamics shifted, but the essence remains. We still have moments of laughter, of shared memories, of stubborn resilience.There’s never a dull moment, but for reasons we never imagined.

So again: to those who wake up with their bodies functioning as they should, to those who walk, run, laugh, and live without a second thought—I urge you to be grateful. Love deeply. Embrace every sunrise, every ordinary day, and every effortless breath. You may not realise it, but you are blessed. Never take it for granted. Life is unpredictable, and when it shifts, it does so mercilessly. Treasure what you have—before you learn how much it can be taken away.