Article Submitted by Lamiya Siraj
NEWS | FEATURES | EXCLUSIVES
PERSONAL ESSAY | TRIBUTE
“A Bond That Distance Cannot Fade” — Letters I Never Sent, Ink & Ideas Publication House
There are some pieces of writing that are created with the hope of being published, and then there are those that are written simply because the heart can no longer hold what it carries. My letter to my late sister, written for ‘Letters I Never Sent’ by Ink & Ideas Publication House, belonged to the latter.
When I sat down to write that letter, I was not thinking about readers, recognition, or publication. I was thinking about a sister whose absence had left a space that could never truly be filled. The words flowed as though I were having one more conversation with her — sharing memories, gratitude, regrets, and the love that continues to exist beyond loss.
One of the most memorable moments came after the letter was published, when my brother-in-law became the first family member to read it. As he sat reading, I could not help but watch him, silently wondering how he would react to the memories woven into those pages. Many of those moments were not just my memories of my sister, but his as well. Seeing him revisit them through my words made the experience deeply personal and emotional.
When he finished reading, his response was simple yet deeply meaningful. He said, “Whatever you have written, I have seen it all.” In that moment, I felt understood. The memories I had poured onto paper were not just mine; they were real, shared moments that someone else had witnessed and remembered.
| A little later, he smiled and remarked, “These two sisters fought the most, yet shared the strongest bond.” His words brought both laughter and tears. Like many siblings, my sister and I had our disagreements, arguments, and moments of frustration. Yet beneath all of it was a connection built on unconditional love, trust, and companionship. We could irritate each other endlessly, but we could never stay apart for long.
Seeing the letter published became far more than a literary achievement. It became a way of preserving a part of my sister’s legacy. Every memory written on those pages carries a piece of who she was: her kindness, her strength, her love for family, and the countless lessons she taught me without ever intending to. |
Fatema with her beloved sister |
For many people, publication is a milestone. For me, this publication is a memory captured forever. It is a tribute to a sister who shaped my life in countless ways and whose presence continues to guide me even in her absence.
A bond that distance cannot fade |
Some stories are written to be read. This one was written to be remembered.
And for that reason, it will always remain one of the most precious pieces I have ever written. |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fatema Shahiwala
Fatema Shahiwala is a writer whose words come from the heart — honest, personal, and deeply felt. Her contribution to ‘Letters I Never Sent’, published by Ink & Ideas Publication House, is a heartfelt tribute to her late sister and a testament to the bonds that outlast loss. She writes not for recognition, but because some stories are too precious to remain unspoken.
