ANJANIE held her breath, a little nervous tremor in her body as the doctor looked through the results of the tests she had taken. He sighed a little, took off his glasses, put them back on and looked at her, shaking his head slightly.
“So, how have you been doing since your move to the tropics?”

“I’ve been doing great, lots of interesting things to do.”

“You do look in the peak of health,” he stated, and, picking up the results, he said to her, “The tests have shown no indication that the cancer has returned, and that’s a very good sign.”

He smiled at her, a happy look on his face, and she said, a little tremor of emotion in her voice and tears in her eyes, “Thank you so much, doctor.”

She stepped out of the doctor’s office, deeply relieved, and looking up at the clear sky, she whispered, “Thank you, dear Lord.”

Her daughter, Sarah, 18, and her son, David, 20, were anxiously awaiting her return and were overjoyed with the good news.

“You did great, Mum,” they exclaimed, hugging her.

She hadn’t wanted to leave them, though she knew they would be well taken care of by her in-laws. But the double disaster of the cancer and divorce had left her deeply traumatised. She needed a place away from her home and life in the UK to recuperate, and her old home in Guyana seemed the perfect retreat.

It had helped her to find her way back, to breathe the freshness of a new life and peace of mind—something precious.

Her story touched Sarah and David’s hearts, bringing tears to their eyes—the loving mother they almost lost. When it was time for her to return, they told her, “Now that you have to share your time between the home in Guyana and here in the UK, we will come to visit you as often as we can.”

“That’s so wonderful!” Anjanie expressed.

“And our first trip is soon—for Diwali,” Sarah informed her, quite excited.

“What!” Anjanie exclaimed, surprised. “That would be so great.”

Her children were English-born and had never visited her birthplace. What they knew about life there and the festivals celebrated were what she had told them. She was happy that, as young adults, they could now make their own decisions and choose to visit on Diwali, a sacred tradition.

The day before she was scheduled to leave, she received a surprise from her ex-husband, who wanted to see her. He apparently had deep regrets for the unkind way he had treated her when she was fighting the cancer and wanted to apologise.

“You look once again like you—and even better with shorter hair.”

She smiled warmly, for she held no animosity in her heart for him.

“I have found something special in life.”

He smiled warmly. “Happy to hear that, and should you need assistance for anything, please let me know.”

“That’s kind,” she said with a little smile of thanks.

Anjanie returned to Guyana with great news from her doctor, much to the joy of her close family and friends. As soon as she had settled in, she spoke to her contractor.

“So, where were we?”

He looked at her and expressed with admiration, “You don’t waste a day, do you?”

“Nope, each new day is a blessing, and we have to strive to make it worthy, because you never know…”

She left the sentence unfinished, and he nodded, understanding all too well.

With growing popularity due to her breast cancer-related social work, she had been interviewed by media houses on her journey to recovery and invited to speak on the topic in a few forums. The response and interest sparked an idea to establish a foundation to support victims of the illness. It was called the Anjanie Breast Cancer Foundation, and the biggest donor was her ex-husband.

“Well, that’s being extra kind,” she said to herself.

She was very grateful for his donation, as it was of great help to the victims of breast cancer.

She had been working on several plans and ideas with scheduled dates, and the restoration work on the farm was finished in time to reopen on her father’s death anniversary. She bought the first two pairs of bulls and heifers—an emotional moment for her. The community pandit, who knew her father, conducted a small ceremony to bless the reopening of the farm, and close family and friends joined her in celebrating the special occasion.

“This is for you, Dad. I couldn’t let your legacy die.”

David and Sarah arrived for the first time as preparations for Diwali got underway, and they were thrilled to visit their mother’s birthplace.

“It’s so lush and green,” David said.

“Kind of simple and charming,” was Sarah’s observation. “The air feels so fresh, and look at all the lovely blooms.”

Anjanie laughed a little at her excitement and took them to the farm to see the cows.

“Now that’s real country life,” David expressed. They were awed at all the work Anjanie had done to the house and farm, and said to her, “We are so proud of you, Mum. You’ve shown so much strength and resilience in a fight to survive, and your deep love for this home and farm has helped you to find your way back.”

Anjanie took a deep breath. “It was like a lifeline for me.”

She hosted a family get-together so her children could meet all of the relatives, and raised her glass in a toast. “A new beginning for health, strength, and a rewarding life.”

Diwali was just a week away, and David and Sarah wanted so much to be a part of the spectacle—the motorcade, the lights, and the Diwali sweet treats. She took them first to the mandir so they could have a firsthand look at the skilful work on the floats that depicted the Goddess of Light and the story of Diwali. Then they drove around, saw places, and shopped for what they needed to celebrate Diwali. This year, Anjanie planned to have the family home fully illuminated with diyas.

The motorcade before Diwali night was spectacular—the depictions, the beauty, the lights, and the songs.

David and Sarah were in complete awe.

“The creativity of these floats is so amazing,” David stated.

“And the Goddess of Light,” Sarah added, “a touch of divinity.”

On Diwali Day, the relatives came early to cook the Diwali treats for them to enjoy—and enjoy they did. Then, as dusk began to fall, they lit the diyas to illuminate the home.

It was such a beautiful sight, it brought tears to Anjanie’s eyes.

“Today is the day,” Anjanie whispered, “that fills my heart with such joy. I have brought my family home, my father’s legacy back to life, and started a breast cancer foundation. I have my children now with me—I am living a peaceful, beautiful life.”

Happy Diwali.