Jack is getting married to Abi on April 20th. The wedding is in Coimbatore.

Over the past year one of the people in our community who’s embodied all the tenets of stoicism (at least in public) is dear Jack. Jack once mentioned that he and his father have their emotional moments in private. When talking to others, they’ve retained a stoic demeanor, often taking on the role of the comforter in the conversation, especially with people who are in loss of words when meeting them for the first time since the incident.

Sudharson traveled to Coimbatore for Jack’s engagement – the man will not miss a biryani. We are immensely grateful to Sudharson that he did not bestow on us the eye-sore* that he wore as a fashion statement at Josh and Helen’s wedding (pic below)

Sudharson and Helen made a video call to me when they went on the stage with the engaged couple. It was beautiful to see Jack and Abi on stage all ready to get married tomorrow. And Jack asked the photographer to take a picture with me on the phone, after also commenting that it was a strange proof of attendance. Sudharson assured me that he would be eating my share of biryani. Josh would have been very happy today.

The best proof of courage in the face of setbacks is happiness and laughter. And with the engagement today the entire family has displayed how strong all of them have been through the past year. Tomorrow the wedding will be another happy event. These events remind each of us of Tolkien’s words:

 
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king. 

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*special glasses since he’d just had his surgery