So today I have to write a speech for my grad party. I don’t know why but it’s making me laugh. I find it kind of hilarious that the people I love so dearly, and whom I know love me so dearly, are anxious to speak words that I already know the meaning behind. But I get their sentiment. I want to make this speech memorable.
So here goes nothing.
I want to start by saying that life is kind of a lonely endeavor.
Not to be sad or anything, it’s just that society is kind of structured to be lonely. From childhood we’re taught to compete for ourselves. Become the smartest in the room. The best piano player. The most athletic tennis player. We do a lot of things to separate ourselves and as a result, life becomes kind of lonely. Our ambition, our dreams. Our struggles, our pains. They become ours alone.
Over the last four years, I’ve realized loneliness is everywhere. I’ve felt it in the kids who eat lunch in the corners of the rotunda in our school. I’ve felt it in kids who hide in big groups as they don’t feel seen or heard. I’ve watched countless kids and adults alike feel lost, scared for the future, overwhelmed by feeling like they have to take it on alone.
But as I’ve seen all of this, it’s made me realize how lucky I am to have all of you. To have never felt truly lonely.
I’ve had two amazing parents who have always supported me, even when I thought they didn’t. From all the times I’ve come home late at night or just randomly showed up with 20 kids at our door.
I’ve grown up alongside an amazing group of family friends, who are practically family at this point. I mean you guys are all basically my brothers and sisters, and each time we’ve ran to the garage to play table tennis, put cake frosting on each other’s faces, you molded me into the person I am today.
I found an amazing partner who taught me to love, and makes everyday feel like a new adventure to be discovered.
I’ve had an amazing brother, who despite showing a nonchalant exterior, is really the biggest cheerleader I could have asked for.
And last but not least, my friends.
You konw you guys have raided my room constantly, jumping through my window, marveling at the quotes on my wall, leaving your own. In the same spirit, I want to share with you guys my favorite quote. And it’s a Nikhil original.
“Always smile, or have enough special friends to remind you to.”
Heavy emphasis on the special. But really you guys are the reason I smile so eagerly today. Firstly, spamdemwood. I mean I’ve known you guys for more than a decade. We went from awkward Indian boys who didn’t know how to show each other love to Indian boys who some say show each other a little too much love. And I’m so grateful. I’m so grateful to have grown alongside each one of you, to share so many memories.
And spamdemwood’s never been just us eight. It’s all of you here. When we started that Instagram account, we never imagined it would grow to the what 200 followers it has today. One big family. One big family that has never left me feeling lonely.
So as I end this speech I want to ask something of all of you. Start looking for loneliness. In the people around you, your parents, your friends, yourself. And then change it. Call them for volleyball, invite them to just talk in your room, or play punishment poker. Surround them with your love, because trust me, once you surround them with enough special friends, they won’t be able to stop smiling. Thank you :)