Letters We Never Wrote
- Harinath K
- May 9
- 7 min read
Harinath
Small notes of gratitude from the people around us
Editor’s Note
There are people who quietly become part of our lives.
Not through grand gestures—
but through conversations, encouragement, routines, kindness, and presence.
Sometimes, they live right next door.
Sometimes, they become the reason a place begins to feel like home.
This collection brings together small letters written by residents to people within our own community who made a difference to their lives.
Some are playful.
Some are deeply emotional.
Some are simple moments preserved in words.
None of these letters were written to impress.
They were written to acknowledge.
And perhaps that is something we do too little of.
These pages may hold letters,
but what they truly reveal
is the invisible thread between people.
A Small Note from the Editor
Every month, this magazine becomes meaningful because people choose to participate—not as writers, but as human beings willing to share a part of themselves.
Thank you to everyone who wrote these letters, and to everyone who continues to read, encourage, and support EI Lifestyle with warmth and sincerity.
A community is not built only through buildings and events.
It is built through conversations, memories, kindness, and the quiet ways in which people show up for one another.
This edition reminded me that gratitude often exists silently in our hearts—waiting for a moment to be expressed.
Thank you for making this space feel alive.
— Harinath,
EI Universe Chief Editor
SECTION 1
The Ones Who Helped Us Grow
Sometimes encouragement changes a life long before success arrives.
Seerat (9 years old)
To: Her Friends
THANK YOU, MY FRIENDS OF EMERALD ISLE!
My friends and I always play,
But sometimes we forget what to say.
My friends and I always fight,
But if someone quarrels,
We become loyal.
We will always be together,
Like a piece of a feather.
We go to each other’s house,
And act like a mouse.
We try to pack the same,
And our efforts do not end up in vain.
But it is not the end and
I will never forget you, my friends.
I thank my friends for what they do,
And hope all their dreams come true.
Sharadhi Lakshmi (T11A)
To: Uma Guwalani (T3)
Dear Teacher,
I’ll never forget how you turned my fear of Hindi into confidence.
Back when I was stuck at 50, you patiently explained every concept, encouraged me when I doubted myself, and kept pushing me to aim higher.
Your belief in me made all the difference, and with your guidance I proudly scored 96 in my board exams.
That achievement will always remind me of your dedication and the impact you had on my life.
Namya (T2)
To: Harinath (T15)
My interactions with Harinath Uncle have been limited, but encouraging and sweet.
He has perpetually fueled by writing endeavours, as limited as they are, and has always shared his love for my creative pieces.
Whenever we happen to meet out on our walks, he never fails to encourage me to submit ANYTHING, EVERYTHING that I have written.
And through this little note, I just want to tell him that his cheerleading for my writing and my potential has really pushed me to do better and to do more, and it will definitely bear fruit in the next 1.5 months, after all my academic entanglements are resolved :)
I pinky promiseeee
I would also like to acknowledge and appreciate Uncle's extroverted nature and just the way he lives his life.
I have never seen someone so excited to have a conversation at 8pm after he just came from office.
I have also never seen such zest for life and openness to explore, experiment, network.
I truly wish to embody your spirit of living and your jovial nature.
SECTION 2
The Comfort of Familiar Faces
Sometimes gratitude lives quietly inside routines, conversations, and people who slowly become part of our everyday lives.
Harish Dixit (T10)
To: Harsh (T5)
When I moved into Emerald isle, I met Harsh on a monsoon trek.
We bonded instantly over a shared interest for long walks, bird watching and exploring nature.
Our morning walks through Aarey or around Vihar Lake often take us along paths less explored, sometimes risky, but always enriching.
Our bird watching trips to Manori and Green Valley Park add joy and curiosity to these routines. Through these hours outdoors, I learned more from Harsh than he may realize.
Through his stories, Harsh helped me understand how life experiences shape the way one sees the world, and how learning from that view point fuels personal growth.
Harsh reminds me to slow down, stay present, and value health. He is always ready to explore new places, keep learning, and laugh freely.
His influence has made my life calmer, richer, and more grounded.
Cheers !
Chintan Mehta (T3)
To: Smitaa Amit Gupta
Thank you Smitaa for initiating the weekend tennis habit! I'd lost complete touch with this sport and forgot how much I enjoyed it, until your initiative and discipline for playing every weekends!
Despite the inertia of getting up early, I really enjoy playing this with our entire group :)
Sawant (T9)
To: Mr Bhaskar (T5), Mr Kothari (T10), Mr Johari (T7), Mr Mukharjee (T7), Mr Agrawal (T12B)
Respected Mr Bhaskar T 5, Mr Kothari T 10, Mr Johari T 7, Mr Mukharjee T 7, Mr Agrawal T 12 B,
Aging persons me and my husband moved from Pune to Mumbai to stay nearby our daughter in Emerald Isle T9, but she shifted to USA.
We are originally Mumbaikar, still were anxious of staying in new society with new people around. After settling down in new house, started morning walk activity.
We came across lovely group of you oldies, a perfect mixture of an Indian culture.
We found ourselves lucky to have company of yous, young-hearted guys. Our daily meet up welcomes each other.
We discuss on current topics, health, past memories, exchange jokes and happily leave for home. This routine keeps us fully charged, free of loneliness.
Our heartfelt gratitude to all of you. Wish you all happy and healthy life ahead.
Pratima Manik
To: Upasana Group
My dear friends of the Upasana group, It has been some four years that we met accidentally and don’t know how we came so close to each other.
We are all housewives, beyond sixty, almost all have grandchildren. We came to this society and found solace in each other.
Our whole day is spent in household chores but we make a point to come down to sit for chat for one hour. It is a boost to our mental health.
Sometimes we visit a temple, watch a movie, go for some other outing, have dinner at some nice place. These are things we look forward to.
It is so much joy to share views and experiences of each other. We celebrate our festivals together.
I am always grateful to my friends who stood by me and supported me during my illness.
When you are above eighty, people’s closeness becomes most important asset in your life.
Thank you, again for being there.
SECTION 3
The Spaces That Became Home
Some places become meaningful not because of walls or shelves, but because of the people who fill them with life.
Shalini Sudeep (T16)
To: The Tiny Tots of EI Library
Sometimes they come as a group, sometimes in pairs, and occasionally, one walks in alone—perhaps seeking a respite from their energetic play or simply wishing to escape from their friends.
They break the calm of our EI library with the spring in their step and curiosity shining in their eyes, eager to discover their next literary treasure.
Their parents wonder why they need to borrow the same books they have at home from the library. But the kids find their own joy in following the ritual.
Didis hurry them for dinner time and bedtime but how can sleep come without knowing what happened to the wimpy kids on the way home or solving the mysteries with the famous five.
These are the tiny tots of EI who are the valued patrons of our EI library who we are grateful for making our two hours of library duty a cherished experience.
We are grateful for their presence and for the joy they bring to our space.
Dr. Devyani Rozario
To: Maya & Team Library
From a Shared Vision to a Vibrant Reality
What started as a simple "Yes" during a book club meeting has blossomed into something truly remarkable.
When the five of us first agreed to set up a library for our housing complex, we had a vision, but it was the collective dedication of this team that turned that dream into the shelves of stories we see today.
Our journey was paved with incredible guidance. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our resident veteran, Maya, whose years at the Asiatic Library provided us with a professional foundation.
From trekking to neighbouring complexes for advice to consulting with B-school librarians, we left no stone unturned to get this right.
The sheer amount of "behind-the-scenes" sweat equity has been inspiring:
The Collection Drive: Seeing the community’s generosity.
The Logistics: Hours spent building the database and meticulous labelling.
The Commitment: The volunteers who consistently show up to manage the issue desk.
Every late night and every sorted book was driven by one goal: to foster a reading culture and sharpen the literary minds of our children and adults alike.
Team Library, you are incredible! Thank you for making this happen and for proving what a small group of passionate people can achieve.
Love you all!
SECTION 4
The People Who Changed Something Within Us
Some people do not arrive loudly in our lives. Yet somewhere along the way, they change how we feel, breathe, heal, or understand ourselves.
Vinayak (T15)
To: Akshita & Chintan (T3)
Dear Akshita & Chintan,
Sometimes transformation happens quietly… and your Art of Living sessions at L&T have been exactly that for me.
Through your guidance in Sudarshan Kriya, I’ve begun to experience a sense of peace and clarity I hadn’t known before.
More importantly, I’ve started reconnecting with myself, something I didn’t realize I had lost.
Thank you for creating a space of calm, sincerity, and genuine care. Your presence has made a lasting difference.
With gratitude,
Vinayak
Tower 15
Janhvi (8 yrs, T4)
To: Raina & Rysha
Janhvi expressing gratitude to her friends, Raina and Rysha, in her own words.
Closing Reflection
Not every important relationship in life comes from family, childhood, or history.
Sometimes they begin with a morning walk.
A shared hobby.
A library visit.
A small conversation in the lift.
Someone noticing your effort.
Someone waiting for you downstairs.
And slowly, without announcement,
people become part of our emotional world.
Perhaps that is what turns a society into a community—
not shared walls,
but shared humanity.
A Final Thank You
To everyone who wrote these letters—thank you for your honesty.
And to everyone who inspired them without even knowing—
thank you for being the kind of people others feel grateful for.
Somewhere in these pages,
a community remembered itself.
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