It was a day like any other day, I’m sure. Mid-November things can get kind of cold in West Texas… a chill we aren’t used to. The wind can hurt a little if you let it touch you on your way to the grocery store to pick up that gallon of milk you needed, and you forgot your gloves so you tuck your hands in your pockets. This day almost seems like a frozen hell, the wind nipping at your skin makes you wish you could shelter yourself away from the roughness of the outside world. You would be wrong though, about this day.
Sometime in the hours of the morning, though we don’t know the exact time, a miracle took place. On this day, the collective world took a sigh of relief while the angels in perfect unison sang out their blessings, sprinkling stardust over the hospital my friend was born in. She took her first breath, and through her heartfelt cries, her family lay witness, basking in her beauty. They knew they would never be the same.
Although for many this day was just like any other, November 19th will forever be the day the world was good again. Villains rue the day my best friend was born because she is the epitome of a hero. Badness took one look at Varsha and shuddered to know what it felt like to be so good. It’s reflected in every step she takes, every surface she touches, nothing bad can stay where she goes. 27 years later, and I’m one of the lucky ones. Not everyone gets to call her “friend”, not everyone gets to feel the sunshine of her consideration or witness the depth of her kindness.
If there is anything someone should know about Varsha (Bola) Misra, it’s that she has her boundaries. The fortress of her heart is well guarded and to know its safety is to know the clandestine security and comfort of your favorite room in the house. Her empathy for others is endless, she will really see you even when you are afraid to be truly seen. She is mysterious, her Scoprio nature draws you to her with a magnetic force. I wish I could be just like her, the way she knows who she is. The way she doesn’t ask for permission to leave her mark on the world with her gentle spirit and her sensitive heart. To talk to her is to feel like the main character on the inside of the loop, no other conversation stirs the envy in your heart. On your darkest days she will settle your ship wrecked feelings by reminding you that you truly are not alone. Like a beacon, she shines her light to your most lost self.
I’m only a witness. Someone lucky enough to document the very impact she makes by merely existing.
Something anyone close to Varsha knows is that she has a deep love for her family. The Misra family doesn’t play when it comes to their intense bond and love for each other.
“Varsha and I are 8 years apart. Having such a big age difference as siblings, it took years before we became close. Now, there’s not a day that goes without a text, singing voice memos, sharing pictures of our dogs, and keeping each other updated on our lives. I’m so proud of who she is and can’t wait to celebrate her. Happy birthday, Varsha!”.
Monisha
Nitasha, Varsha’s second eldest sister, proclaimed,
“Bola is the baby of the family, but that ~designation~ can’t be further from the truth. at the risk of sounding corny (lol), bola has always been wise beyond her years. She’s four years younger than me but I often find myself fully forgetting that. She’s my go-to for advice, my shoulder to cry on, & my confidante. living together in our 20s made us closer than ever, & i miss those years with her. they were so fun ♥ ️ i’m ever so grateful for the relationship we have, & it’s icing on the cake that she’s the funniest bitch alive!”
She then went on to sincerely state the nature of Varsha’s loving and kind nature saying,
“Bola has always used the word “sensitive” to describe herself as we’ve grown up, ever since we were youngins. She may consider it a negative characteristic at times, but it’s actually my favorite thing about her. She inherited her kind heart from our mom, & I know everyone is able to feel her pure & good-hearted energy as they get to know her. people tend to think it’s both a blessing & a curse to feel so deeply, but i think i speak for our entire family when i say we *only* consider this trait of hers a true blessing. to have a heart as empathetic and compassionate as hers is a trait to be proud of, & we are SO proud of her for it.”
Nitasha
A quote that reminds Nitasha of Varsha is the one that goes,
“To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate.”
Anthon St. Maarten
I think it perfectly sums up Varsha’s super power.
Her Mom and Dad- Rina and Sukant, pondered gently on their daughter and told me,
“Varsha has always been a high achiever. She excelled in high school as an IB student and in college as an honors student. She is loyal, kind, and compassionate to her friends. As a daughter, she has always been respectful and sensitive to our expectations. Both her Mom and I consider Varsha to be a shy and delicate person, but her friends appear baffled every time we say that. Regardless, we are proud of who she is and what has been able to accomplish”
Sukant
and
“November 19th, 1996, a beautiful girl was born…She was absolutely perfect then.. she is perfect now!! She is sweet, she is kind, she is smart, she is loving… I can go on and on.. We are so blessed and proud to be your parents! ❤ ️ Monisha and Nitasha were so in love with baby Varsha when she was born.. They wanted to hold her all the time thinking she is a baby doll.. Love seeing how they three are the best and closest friends now… ❤️❤️”
Rina
Varsha also has loved ones who have joined the family through marriage. It’s clear that their love for Varsha is an extension of her sister’s love for her.
“Bola was the first person I met in Nitasha’s family, and then she basically became my roommate. I’ve always felt close to her as a younger sister. People gravitate to her personality and mindset, and those things make it easy to develop a relationship with her. She’s always there for the people she loves and you can call her at any time. Just a great person to have in your corner. Happy birthday!”
Lipin
and
“I love Varsha because she is such a kind and caring person. She pushes me to be my best self in spite of my faults and shortcomings. She sees the good in everyone and every situation, and makes me happier than I have ever been. She is so smart and beautiful, and is always challenging herself and learning new things. She is my favorite person on earth and I hope she has an amazing birthday!”
Jinesh
Of course then there is Stone, the love of Varsha’s life.
“I love Varsha because she is such a kind and caring person. She pushes me to be my best self in spite of my faults and shortcomings. She sees the good in everyone and every situation, and makes me happier than I have ever been. She is so smart and beautiful, and is always challenging herself and learning new things. She is my favorite person on earth and I hope she has an amazing birthday!”
Stone
Along with Varsha’s sensitive heart comes her love for animals, especially dogs. The love she has for the pets in her life shines through in how she treats them.
Nitasha’s dog, Ferguson Kumar Misra, he said,
“Bark bark woof woof i love u bola thx for being my second mom!”
Ferg
He is such a sweetheart. We can’t forget the other love of her life, Ginger.
She had so much to say but for time I had to trim it down to this-
“I love my mom because she takes me on wagon walks. I knew from the moment she held me in her arms that she was the one and when she finally took me home and showed me my new house it was clear to me that I hit the jackpot. I know I can be a lot to handle sometimes since I’m only a baby, but she makes me feel so loved, protected, and cared for. When I have an accident she shows me patience and when I make a mess with my toys she loves me anyway. I know I’m going to love her forever. When I wake up in the morning I can’t wait to see her and when I sleep at night I dream of her… and my wagon. Every time I give her puppy dog eyes it’s because I know she loves it and it makes her smile. I hope she has the best birthday ever.”
Ginger
Isn’t she so well spoken? That’s what I said after her interview.
Last but not least, her friends had some things to say about her.
“I love Varsha’s kind and caring heart❤️ and I’m so lucky to be in her circle. I love giggling with her- it’s my favorite thing when we are on the same wavelength, geeking out”
Madi
“Varsh is the person who always grounds the people around her. She’s the perfect balance of being a dependable and calming presence, but also a friend who you can cry your eyes out laughing about the dumbest jokes. I will always be thankful that I have such an amazing anchor and fellow scorpio as my friend.”
Jacq
“I love varsha’s unwavering loyalty to the people she loves and her PASSION for everything she loves (ginger, tswiz, real housewives, to name a few)”
Oshadi
Our good friend, Madeline is on a boat right now so I will be adding her quote later.
“What I love about Varsha… She is genuinely the kindest person that I’ve ever met in my life, and that has not changed since the first day that I met her in sixth grade, and I feel like she doesn’t know that about herself. She just exudes such an amazing positive energy and only adds to other peoples lives. I just want her to know what a boss ass bitch she is, and I don’t know if she realizes it sometimes. She’s like the perfect combination of funny, beautiful, kind, and smart. She really just has it all and is universally loved.”
Dilini
I think it’s clear to say that Varsha has a lot of love behind her- whether it’s in plain sight or not. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that kind of love exists when the world feels so cold. What I’m trying to say is… Sometimes life feels a lot like a cold rough November- it seems like it could almost tear you to pieces. And in those moments when you feel like those pieces of you will no longer be whole again I hope you can remember that not all the love in your life is always sitting right in front of you. Sometimes it lives 6 hours away, or is in a 10 minute voice memo, sometimes you forget it’s even there. But in a world where people like Varsha exist, there will always be the kind of love that shines through the darkness… like daylight.
In a world where you are made to feel like you don’t matter- I hope this brings you hope.
Varsha, if you’re reading this it’s my greatest wish that you are reminded how loved you are. You deserve the very best things this life has to offer, and in those inevitable dark times that life brings us- I hope you know you have so many people in your corner. Have the best 27th birthday EVER! We love you so much.
Love,
Haley