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When I wrote this article three years ago (linked below), I never imagined I would revisit it with nothing but profound gratitude in my heart.
Three years later, Toni’s wife, Geetika Lidder, has penned a beautiful book capturing the life they built around him. But my gratitude isn’t just for the book—it’s for Geetika herself.
For those who don’t know her, I’ll share a line from her speech that speaks volumes about her love for Toni: “Toni and I barely ever argued, and the reason was simple—we were in love with the same person. I loved him, and so did he.”
That’s why, when tragedy struck on December 8, 2021, I feared we hadn’t lost just one but both of them. Toni was her identity, her purpose. With him gone, I shuddered to think what would remain of her.
But Geetika rose like a phoenix. Even Elisabeth Kübler-Ross would be in awe of how swiftly she navigated from denial to acceptance. She gave him a smiling send off, comforted other grieving families, and returned to her role as Vice Principal within just eight days.
But what’s truly remarkable isn’t just her acceptance—it’s her choice to celebrate his life and love rather than mourn his loss. She has shown me that we are the stories we tell ourselves, and every day, she chooses to tell stories of love, togetherness, and gratitude.
These are the very stories you’ll find in her book; I Am a Soldier’s Wife. While set against the backdrop of army life, it is, at its core, a book about life and love—one that will stir your soul with emotions of heartbreak, resilience, devotion, and triumph.
Geetika Lidder, I salute you, my Braveheart.
Aashna Lidder always more power to you
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