Like everyone else, I am finding it hard to pinpoint the words to use when writing about Mish. She has too many amazing words to describe her and short of trying to find them all in a dictionary I will do my absolute best.
(above is Mish competing in Ocala, Florida in 2021)
Mish was like a big sister to me, we grew up in the Albany area within the Bengali (Indian) community. As a young first-generation American, I looked up to her for of course her brilliant mind as she was on a completely different wave-length from your average joe like me. She would speak and the room would just be silent with the way she carried her speech and how she was so poignant with every word she would say. As she graduated from some of the best universities in the country, Harvard & Cornell, she carried more than a wealth of knowledge, but also had an incredible gifting in every area she put her hand to. Emmy award winner, researcher, mother, wife, world class horse-competitor, meteorologist, author, journalist, philanthropist, volunteer, advocate for certain causes are just scratching the surface on the many roles she played in this lifetime.
As most would say, I have never met anyone like her. She was courageous, especially in going against the grain of topics like vaccines and global warming, and even being unjustly fired for her beliefs. On that note, it has been a sinking feeling to my stomach as the media portraying her as “controversial”, among other slanderous names, even after her death. I need to speak to this because it makes me absolutely sick that people in media would have the capacity in their character to point out someone’s beliefs (who don’t align with theirs) and slander someone, while most are mourning. You gotta be really depraved in the soul to have the capability to do something like that, and a completely seared conscious really. It certainly shows the depravity of certain media outlets and furthermore, makes you not want follow them anymore. There is a place for those people, and it’s certainly not heaven, ” Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men,, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). I guess the bible is controversial too, but because I believe in it, I guess I will be slandered too, just add me to the club.
Going back to the amazing person of Mish, as busy as she was with her various commitments, she made time for you, worked hard at everything she put her hand to, had a heart bigger than the world, was extremely generous, put her girls before herself, cherished her Indian roots, loved people well, and so so so much more. I think we all are a better person because of her. Her beautiful daughters are also miracles as she had them in her 40s. Our family had the privilege of seeing her in Florida a few times last year while they were competing with their horses, my daughter Priya is around the same age as her youngest and they get along like sisters every time they see each other. She told me again and again how important it was to see each other regularly so they can establish a close relationship. Something many people might not understand is, if you are a first generation American, or like Mish, who was born in India, but lived most of her life here in the states, is that the Indian community gets really close locally, because most of them have left home (India) and their family for better opportunities here in the states. Mish is one of the few people from the Indian community I had stayed in contract with, after all, who wouldn’t want to stay in contract with someone as stellar, dynamic, charismatic and gifted as her?
With a very heavy heart, to all who are mourning I would say: let Mish’s impact on you make you a better person, love better, work harder, put others before yourself, stand up for what you believe in no matter the cost, and as her husband said about her, “brighten every room”, because you never know whose life you can make an impact on. Never take your family or friends for granted, always make time for relationships, because people are of a lot more value than money.
Mish, I love you sister, I always have and I always will.
Jonali Bulsiewicz
(Daugher of a King, wife, homeschooling mother, first generation Christian & American, Author, Blogger)
This is devastating. What a remarkable person. Do you think her (correct) views on vaccines and climate change and hence being bullied had anything to do with her passing? Or maybe more personal issues? I’m at such a loss.