20 Comments
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Sai Raje's avatar

So relatable! I feel this acutely as I rarely spend time with different groups of close ones - extended family, cousins, and friends only every year or two. Despite the physical and, at times, emotional distance, the utter ease with which we can pick up where we left off makes it worthwhile, despite the frictions and mild annoyances!

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Karthik's avatar

Oh yes, and that's so beautiful! Unless there has been a major discord or ill health, we usually find people where we left off.

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Supriya Devarajan's avatar

Oh spot on! Sometimes I wonder too why I do it especially when we are all getting on each other’s nerves! But when I look back I am always SO glad that I did it!

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Karthik's avatar

Thanks a lot Supriya! Yes yes, I keep saying no more of this for me but I keep going back for some annoyance and some stupid fun! :)

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Not The Wife Material's avatar

so true. so relatable. lovely!

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Karthik's avatar

Thanks a lot Savvy! Glad you enjoyed this one :)

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Binu Sivan's avatar

Love this post!

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Karthik's avatar

Thanks a lot Binu! :))

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Kiran Gupte's avatar

I feel similar but Intend to stop attending overnight reunions

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Karthik's avatar

Hi Kiran, I too keep telling myself that I cannot do this anymore. But here we are - after almost 1.5 years' break, I have two planned for next month. Hehe. I know it could get quite frustrating but it will also be some stupid fun!

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Shreya's avatar

How gratifying it feels to push past the friction and do it anyway, for the sake of memories and laughter and retrospect. This is such a feel-good piece of writing. ✨

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Karthik's avatar

Thanks a lot Shreya :))

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Doel's avatar

So lovely, Karthik! Love how there's a universe within this short essay, and it's making me think of my friends with lots of warmth ❤️❤️ also took your title literally and thought it's something about pets so the surprise is doubly deljghtful

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Karthik's avatar

Hey Doel, so happy to read your comment :)

The words 'Animal Warmth' were used in this same context in a lovely poem I had read. I think it was by Jane Hirshfield. I am unable to find that poem. I wish to credit the poet but still searching.

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Aiswarya M Nair's avatar

Very true. How funny it is that we we'll let out different parts of ourselves only with those separate set of people. No other team knows what we are like with the other group. Thanks for sharing.

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Karthik's avatar

Oh yes, that’s so true! No other team knows what we are like with the other group - haha!

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Amrita's avatar

A beautiful reminder to deal with the friction and meet your friends anyway :)

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Karthik's avatar

Absolutely yes! All the annoyances are worth it!

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Farah's avatar

Those last few lines.

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Karthik's avatar

So glad you liked it Farah! :)

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