Children's Books and Family History: I'll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRocca

When it was time for Pati to go home, I didn't want her to. Pati said, "Poitu Varen," and then, "I'll go and come back." Her skin was soft as ever. 

Pati flew home to India, but our love stretched across the world.

And we both remembered..... 

our promises to come back. 

I'll Go and Come Back tells the story of Jyoti, a young girl who travels to India with her parents to visit family. Everything feels unfamiliar—the language, the food, the customs, and even the way her grandparents live. Feeling out of place, Jyoti struggles to connect with her surroundings. But through the patience, love, and understanding of her grandmother, Pati, India slowly begins to feel like home. By the end of the visit, Jyoti no longer wants to leave.

When it is time for her to return to America, Pati comforts her by saying, "Poitu Varen," which means, "I'll go and come back." Later, when Pati visits Jyoti in America, the roles are reversed. Now it is Pati who finds herself surrounded by unfamiliar sights, sounds, and experiences. This time, Jyoti helps her grandmother feel welcome and comfortable. When it is time to say goodbye once again, they remember their promise to each other: "I'll go and come back."

One of the things I appreciate most about this book is the way it highlights the relationships between generations. Family history is often shared through time spent together, stories told around the table, and the love that grows as we come to understand one another. I'll Go and Come Back reminds us that even when family members live far apart, the bonds that connect us can stretch across oceans and generations.

Being the child of an international couple means that one parent is always far from their family. Growing up, that was my dad's side of the family. It was normal to have Grandma visit and then return home to California. But when we moved from England to California, I experienced the other side of that reality.

Saying goodbye to my Nan was not easy. She had been a constant in my life—always there for birthdays, holidays, and dinner on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. We would sleep at her house, and I would play with her hair while we talked. Leaving her behind was heartbreaking.

Like Jyoti, I knew what it felt like to wish time would slow down. I knew what it felt like to be incredibly happy that Nan was visiting while also knowing that the visit would eventually come to an end. Every Christmas she came to America, and her arrival became one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. No matter how difficult it was to say goodbye, she always came back.

When Nan passed away a week before Christmas in 2006, it was especially hard. Yet I remain grateful that the Lord allowed her to come back to us for one final visit. Today is her birthday, and I still miss her. I still wish I could hold her hand or play with her hair.

The older I get, the more I understand the beauty of Pati's promise: "I'll go and come back." Our love now stretches across eternity instead of an ocean. Although Nan is no longer here in the way she once was, there are moments when I feel her close. Through memories, family stories, and quiet reminders, she still finds ways to come back to me when I need her most.

One of the things this book reminded me is that every relationship leaves an imprint on our lives. My Nan may no longer be here, but the love she gave, the memories we shared, and the traditions she helped create continue to influence me today. In many ways, that is what family history is all about. We receive stories, traditions, lessons, and love from those who came before us, and then we decide what we will pass on to those who come after us.

This week's activity invites children to think about their own legacy. What traditions would they like to continue? What lessons would they like to share? What memories do they hope others will carry forward? Just as Jyoti and Pati promised to "go and come back," our stories and influence can continue long after we are gone.

ACTIVITY: LOVE ACROSS THE WORLD

Think about someone you love who lives far away or someone you don't get to see as often as you would like.

Draw or write your answers in the boxes below:

to download/print the activity page simply click here or on the image below