Happy Diwali

Once upon a time, I had a friend from India who surprised me one day with a gift from her homeland.



I was in love with everything about the gift.



When I opened the box and found this inside I squealed with delight.



Then Mehnu told me about another gift. She handed me an invitation to a Diwali party.



I knew just what I would wear

and I found the perfect shoes.



I put the dress on the night of the party, and felt like a princess...a princess from India. When I arrived at Mehnu's home, she escorted me into her elegant powder room surrounded by veils. She placed a bindi on my head to match my dress. The image was complete. My princess dress lives in my closet, until today.



You see, my inspirational friend Gabriela wrote the most wonderful post today. She created pure magic...you must go see. She teaches us all about the customs of Diwali.

Thank you Gabriela, you inspired me to take my lovely gift from Mehnu out of the closet and revisit such a beautiful adventure.

You see Once Upon A Time...



I went to a Diwali party underneath the stars, just another night in China, celebrating the festival of lights.



Now, it is just another night underneath the stars, but new friends have joined me underneath today's stars and light the new way to memorizing this constellation.

I read once that constellations are totally imaginary things that poets, farmers and astronomers created to help us tell which stars are which. Friendships are just like stars and each one is as unique. Memories of the chapters of our life are just like the constellations...made up of magical people that shine in our life.

Happy Diwali everyone. If you would like to learn more about the festival of lights, please stop by at Gabriela's place and oooh and ahhh over her gorgeous post.