Bittersweet.

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." – Dr. Seuss

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Dear Investors & Friends:

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Welcome to this week’s SundayReads.

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As I travelled from Seattle to Vancouver, the bus stopped in a small, lively town. Looking out the window, I saw a woman in her late 40s or early 50s getting off the bus. Her face lit up as she saw a man with a bushy beard and glasses waiting for her. He walked briskly towards her, and they hugged tightly, as if they hadn’t seen each other in years. Their happiness was clear as they moved towards their car, stopping frequently to embrace.

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Nearby, another touching scene caught my eye. A grandmother had come to pick up her grandson. They hugged tightly, with tears in her eyes, perhaps tears of joy and relief at seeing him again. These moments took me back to a memory that still holds a special place in my heart.

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My son, now settled in Seattle, had come home after two long years of completing his education. Two years of not seeing him, two years of missing him deeply. I remember waiting at the airport, anxiously checking the arrival board, my heart pounding with anticipation. When his flight finally landed, and after what seemed like an eternity, I saw him walking towards me. Tears filled my eyes as I hugged him, feeling the overwhelming relief and joy of having him back home, even if just for a while.

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As I opened my eyes, I noticed another moving scene. A woman in a wheelchair was waiting with a bouquet of flowers. Her daughter arrived, and they cried as they hugged each other, their emotions overflowing in that brief, intense moment of reunion.

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Airports are extraordinary places. They are where we reunite with family and friends, whether they come from a neighbouring state or from across the world. They are places where we celebrate joyous occasions like births and marriages, and where we gather to mourn losses. Airports are where we say our goodbyes, sometimes for a short while, sometimes forever.

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I recall a friend who went through a breakup at an airport. The raw emotions were laid bare, unshielded by the usual social decorum. Airports are deeply social spaces where emotions are displayed openly, where the essence of human connections is on full display.

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Thinking about these moments, I realized that airports capture the full range of human emotions. They are small worlds where happiness and sorrow coexist, where every arrival and departure tells a unique story.

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The next time you visit an airport, take a moment to look around. Observe the tearful goodbyes, the joyful reunions, the nervous excitement of those starting new journeys. Notice the hugs, the tears, the laughter. Each person at the airport is part of a larger story, each moment a chapter in the lives connected by travel.

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Airports remind us of the fleeting nature of life, but they also highlight the lasting bonds that keep us connected. Whether we are welcoming someone home or bidding them farewell, the emotions we feel at airports are a testament to the deep connections we share with our loved ones. So, the next time you find yourself at an airport, take a moment to appreciate the beautiful, intricate display of human emotions unfolding around you.

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Until the next week and the next SundayReads, Ciao.

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Warmly,

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Kavita Bothra

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Helping you think thoughts you may not have thought before.