Dearest Adrak-wali-Chai,

As I keep down my last cup for the next 40 days of lent, my heart is filled with gratitude for the purpose you have served in my life, and the boundless joy you have blessed upon me. At the same time, as my grip loosens around the handle of the cup which was full of you a few minutes back, I feel this heaviness in my heart at the thought that I won’t be seeing you for a month and a half. But I hope you know that it can never be a forever goodbye, it’s just a bye for now.

You have been my partner when I am down, my friend when I want to celebrate, my care-taker when I am tired, basically an inseparable part of my life. My human friends tease me for bringing you in my to-go cup when I am invited at their place for meals, if I am visiting someone then they make sure that they have you stocked with some milk, and ginger because they know how important you are to me.

You are the only thing I want when I am happy, sad, mad, tired, relaxed, and it’s heartbreaking to imagine my life without you. It’s been a tough decision and very hard for me to say this farewell, but I think it’s time now and it’s for the best. You know that I have suffered from Sinus and blocked nasal passage as long as I can remember, and some other humans have been telling me to give up dairy if I want to feel better, and then a part of me also wants to eventually give up all animal products, and my Instagram feed is brain-washing me as to how giving up dairy is good for health and for the world. So when this time of the year came around, and I had to decide what I want to give up for the Lent, I decided to go vegan for the next 40 days (technically it’s 46 days..but oh well!). I am so sorry but I will not be able to be with you for at least 46 days.

I sincerely want to let you know how much I love and value you. You have been there for me when I was at my lowest and when I was at my highest. I have so many memories with you, especially around late night chats with my family and friends and sometimes just with a book.

You hold more meaning in my life than any average person will understand, and as difficult it is for me to say bye right now, it’s equally important. I know you love me too and want the best for me, and I need to do this for my health, and I know you will support me.

Show me how I can become friends with your sisters- black tea, herbal tea, green tea..and make me fall in love with them as much as I love you. My love for you is eternal so it can never be replaced or be a farewell, our paths will keep crossing, but I hope for the next few days you will support me in my journey. If you think about it, it’s also for a bigger purpose of saving animals and our planet, so help me on my path.

I love you more than you know and I can express, but sometimes life makes us make tough decisions, and it truly is one of the hardest things I am having to do, but we’ll get through this

Love,

Me