What does Diwali mean to you?

Diwali has always held a special place in my life since childhood, but its meaning has changed considerably.
For me, celebrating Diwali is
To see a sparkle in the eyes of people, family, friends, and many more….
To feel another person's heart lighten, and eyes become heavy with tears.
To bring about numerous smiles in a home away from home.

This year
We did something new. We thought of giving mithai boxes to the employees of an Indian store. We have been meeting them every week for years. Whenever we visit, we greet at least 10 of these people. But, for the first time, we thought of giving Diwali sweets to them.
Imagine a busy Diwali week morning,

Many of the store staff carrying out their duties, handling payments, moving vegetable carts, or putting groceries on the shelves.
And a small girl approaches them with her mother, handing them a box of sweets, wishing them Happy Diwali with an innocent smile.
The reaction that we received has been etched in my heart for this lifetime.
I could feel their hearts,
their teary eyes,
some of them became speechless,
some felt deeply respected.
What we received was a thousandfold!
The joy was not just in the act of giving,
but in the act of them receiving our gift with such warmth and love.

Diwali is also seeing the sparkling smiles of having our family around us.
Meeting friends for a few minutes but reminding them that they hold value in our lives.

Diwali is also about seeing the joy of togetherness.
Indian festivals have a deep significance in being celebrated together.

We planned to celebrate diwali together with our neighborhood friends together in a home away from home.

When dressed up for diwali, we did our Diwali Pooja with family
we did not realize what was in store for us next, 
when the bell began ringing,
friends started coming.
Chai, pakode, kheer, halwa, and moongfali were being set up.
There were smiles, fireworks, chit-chat,
dancing around the fire.
Hearts happy.
Happy hearts.

The Light of Diwali is about bringing a light within ourselves,
so we can bring this light of happy hearts
wherever we go,
wherever we are.

May each day be a Diwali for you!
May you enlighten yourself from within!
May you enlighten the world around you!
Remember! One light can enlighten the whole world.
May You be that light!

Tanu Shree