He could not believe that this was how it was going to end. After everything that he had been thorough in his life it had come down to this. As big and as strong as he once was. Flat on his back in a hospital bed with a heart that was giving up.
He thought about everything he put himself thorough. The broken bones knocked out teeth six years in the military. All the booze, cigarettes and drugs some legal most them not. Here he was paying for the life that he led. All the hours spent on that big two wheeler. Just having to see what was over the next horizon. The wander lust in his heart. Who could have put up with that?
He thought about the girl who spent so many miles riding behind him. How he loved that woman now. Twenty-five years of good times and bad. She never left sometimes he didn’t understand why she stayed. He was grateful that she did. She was his world. Some days his temper was not to be believed. He could be moody for weeks at a time. By the end of the winter he was wearing a groove in the carpet waiting on the weather so he could get back outside. How that woman could stand that just amazed him. Then there was their daughter.
What a spitfire she is. Whoever she marries is going to have their hands full. He thought about all the overtime he put in and how much of her life he missed. She is almost finished with college. How wild is that his daughter in law school. Is the world ready for that? He wonders if she knows how proud of her he is. Does she know how much he loves her? Not being there for her is what hurts the most about this.
He was not going to think like that. He’ll get a transplant stop smoking and drinking and life will go on as it has in the past. A cigarette sounds good about now he thought. The rare blood type that he has that kept in beer money half of his life. Is now going to be the reason that he ends dying on his back in a hospital bed. What a way to go out. Where is the blaze of glory he always figured would accompany his departure from this world. No bells or whistle just a slow fading away. That ****s.
He woke up to hearing voices in his room. He looked around and saw that they had brought in another patient and put in his room. No dying alone now even if he wanted too. He saw woman pass by the end of the other bed. She was huge. She must have been at eight months pregnant. He thought how sad is that to have a pregnant wife and be in the IC unit of the hospital. He could them talking. The man voice was weak and he was trying to be encouraging to the woman. She told the man that he needed to get some rest and that she would there when he woke up. He could hear the steady breathing of his roommate as realized that he must have fallen on the woman’s command. He could hear the woman mumbling. He thought prayers at this point lady are not going to help. Then voice got a little louder and he could hear her.
She was praying. Just like he thought. But what she was praying for sent chills down his spine. “Oh God just a couple of more months. Please let him live long enough to hold our child in his arms at least once before you call him home. Please just a few more days. I know he is dying but let him see his child first.”
As he laid he thought how hard her life was going to be. He thought about the unborn child growing up without their father. Who would his daughter be if he had died that early in her life. What would happen to his wife. With his quirks she loved him with all of her being. How would have she survived.
He must have drifted off again.
With the lighting in this place you can never figure out what time it is. His roommates were talking again about how he would never get the transplant that he needed in time the list was so long and he was so sick.
The nurse came in and told him we have to get you ready they had found him a heart. It was on its way and they needed to get him prep for the surgery. He looked at her ask her to get his wife and his daughter for him. She said there was no time. He looked at her and told her to make the time.
He watched his wife walk in. She was so beautiful. Their daughter behind her, her mother’s looks and intelligence and her father pit bull mentality and he smiled. One on either side of his bed holding his hands. Was he strong enough for this he didn’t know? He done a lot bad things in his life he cut corners and cheated when he could get a way with. But this was different this was where the rubber meets the road. He knew what had to be done. He looked at his wife and said, “ I love more now than I ever did thank you for the life we have had. I will miss you.”
To his daughter he said, “ Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I could have a child like you. No father anywhere at anytime could be a more proud parent than I am. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will love until the last star is a memory.”
The doctor came rushing into the room and started talking about how they had to get him ready. He looked at wife and his daughter then he turned to the doctor and told him “ Doc we ain’t doing this. You give that heart to the person on the list. I have had a good life. Let someone else get a chance at theirs.”
He looked at the other woman in the room as said. “ How could God not answer your prayer”
He looked at wife and said “ Get me out of here while I still have the strength to leave and before I get scared. “
The doctor left the nurse brought in a wheel chair at he left that hospital knowing he had done the right thing. He didn’t particularly believe God but some else needed that heart. He died that at his home with wife and daughter with him. A cigarette in his mouth and a beer in his hand. With no regrets.
Back at the hospital days kept turning. His roommate was recovering from getting his heart transplant. And it looked like he would get to see his unborn child grow up.
The nurse took a different position at the hospital she could not work with dying people anymore. So she went to OB/GYN department help bring lives into the world. As things would happen the woman whose husband had needed the transplant months before was there to have her baby. The nurse was not involved in the delivery but stayed to see the child. As she was looking at baby thorough the window the husband showed up to see the baby. He noticed the tears that were running down the nurse’s face and asked her way was she crying.
The nurse responded pointing at his child she said “ That baby has daddy because of the unselfishness of one man. And the baby’s mother’s prayer.”
The man asked to explain why she would say this about this child. She told him of a night when she worked in the Intensive care unit of hospital. And that a man gave up his heart transplant to the next person on the list. The next person on the list at the hospital with the same blood type was the baby’s father.
Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Thursday, 23 December 2010
MOTHER
MOTHER
This is a truly BEAUTIFUL piece. Please
read this at a slow pace, digesting every word and in
Leisure...do not hurry....this is a treasure...
For those lucky to still be blessed with your Mom,
this is beautiful. For those of us who aren't, this is
even more beautiful. For those who are moms, you'll love this.
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. 'Is
this the long way?' she asked. And the guide said: 'Yes, and the way is hard
And you will be old before you reach the end of it.. But
the end will be better than the beginning.'
But the young mother was happy, and she would not
believe that anything could be better than these years. So she
played with her children, and gathered flowers for
them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and
the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,
'Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.'
Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was
dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother
drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said,
'Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.'
And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and
the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary.
But at all times she said to the children,' A little patience and we are there.'
So the children climbed, and when they reached the top
they said, 'Mother, we would not have done it without you.'
And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up
at the stars and said, 'This is a better day than the last, for my
children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage.
Today, I've given them strength.'
And the next day came strange clouds which darkened
the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped
and stumbled, and the mother said: 'Look up. Lift your eyes to the light.
' And the children looked and saw above the clouds
an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the
darkness. And that night the Mother said,
'This is the best day of all, for
I have shown my children God.'
And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and
the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent.
But her children were tall and strong, and walked with
courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her,
for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill,
and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And
mother said, 'I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end
is better than the beginning, for my children can
walk alone, and their children after them.'
And the children said, 'You will always walk with us,
Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.'
And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates
closed after her. And they said: 'We cannot see her
but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She
is a living presence.......'
Your Mother is always with you.... She's the whisper
of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of bleach
in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand
on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives
inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop.
She's the place you came from, your first home; and
she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love
and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can
separate you.
Not time, not space... not even death!
MAY WE NEVER TAKE OUR MOTHERS FOR GRANTED...
Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
This is a truly BEAUTIFUL piece. Please
read this at a slow pace, digesting every word and in
Leisure...do not hurry....this is a treasure...
For those lucky to still be blessed with your Mom,
this is beautiful. For those of us who aren't, this is
even more beautiful. For those who are moms, you'll love this.
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. 'Is
this the long way?' she asked. And the guide said: 'Yes, and the way is hard
And you will be old before you reach the end of it.. But
the end will be better than the beginning.'
But the young mother was happy, and she would not
believe that anything could be better than these years. So she
played with her children, and gathered flowers for
them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and
the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,
'Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.'
Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was
dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother
drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said,
'Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.'
And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and
the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary.
But at all times she said to the children,' A little patience and we are there.'
So the children climbed, and when they reached the top
they said, 'Mother, we would not have done it without you.'
And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up
at the stars and said, 'This is a better day than the last, for my
children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage.
Today, I've given them strength.'
And the next day came strange clouds which darkened
the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped
and stumbled, and the mother said: 'Look up. Lift your eyes to the light.
' And the children looked and saw above the clouds
an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the
darkness. And that night the Mother said,
'This is the best day of all, for
I have shown my children God.'
And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and
the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent.
But her children were tall and strong, and walked with
courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her,
for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill,
and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And
mother said, 'I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end
is better than the beginning, for my children can
walk alone, and their children after them.'
And the children said, 'You will always walk with us,
Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.'
And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates
closed after her. And they said: 'We cannot see her
but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She
is a living presence.......'
Your Mother is always with you.... She's the whisper
of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of bleach
in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand
on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives
inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop.
She's the place you came from, your first home; and
she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love
and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can
separate you.
Not time, not space... not even death!
MAY WE NEVER TAKE OUR MOTHERS FOR GRANTED...
Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
A Touching note from a policeman
A Touching Note from a Policeman
Sanjay, a rich guy, loved fast cars and he did have a few in his possession.
He loved to speed and could not be bothered about breaking speed limits.
Many a times he was caught by the cops and speed radars,
fined, but still he never bothered until.
One day as he was driving at a very high speed as usual, he saw a cop
following him.
The cop overtook him finally and asked him to stop and checked his license.
He then took out his pad and started Writing,
and then handed over the sheet of paper to Sanjay.
How much was this one going to cost ?!!!
Wait a minute.
What was this?Huh
Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket.
Sanjay began to read:
"Dear Sanjay,
Once upon a time I had a lovely daughter.
She was six when killed by a car.
You guessed it - a speeding driver's car.
A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free.
Free to hug his three daughters.
I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven,
before I can ever hug her again.
A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man.
A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did,
but I need to do it again. Even now.
Pray for me.. And be careful, Sanjay, my son is all I have left."
Sanjay turned around in time to see the cop's car pull away and
head down the road.
He watched until it disappeared.
A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home,
praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Life is precious. Handle it with care.
Sanjay, a rich guy, loved fast cars and he did have a few in his possession.
He loved to speed and could not be bothered about breaking speed limits.
Many a times he was caught by the cops and speed radars,
fined, but still he never bothered until.
One day as he was driving at a very high speed as usual, he saw a cop
following him.
The cop overtook him finally and asked him to stop and checked his license.
He then took out his pad and started Writing,
and then handed over the sheet of paper to Sanjay.
How much was this one going to cost ?!!!
Wait a minute.
What was this?Huh
Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket.
Sanjay began to read:
"Dear Sanjay,
Once upon a time I had a lovely daughter.
She was six when killed by a car.
You guessed it - a speeding driver's car.
A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free.
Free to hug his three daughters.
I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven,
before I can ever hug her again.
A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man.
A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did,
but I need to do it again. Even now.
Pray for me.. And be careful, Sanjay, my son is all I have left."
Sanjay turned around in time to see the cop's car pull away and
head down the road.
He watched until it disappeared.
A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home,
praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Life is precious. Handle it with care.
A wonderful story of a little daughter
This is something really I feel everyone needs to read and think over it. Pls read till end, I know it is little lengthy; but at the end, you will agree that you have not wasted the time.
A Wonderful Story of a little daughter…
‘You have done a brilliant work Rajesh. You have been given…. ……Raaaajjjeeeessshhhh………… Raaaajjjeeeessshhhh .’- what!!
I woke up from a sudden jerk. ‘Raaajeeessshhh….’…I heard my wife yelling. What’s wrong her?
Always yelling for something or the other. I can’t be in peace even in my dreams. Shucks!! Angrily, I kicked my blanket and got down. ‘Raaajesssh….’ ‘Coming Meera..what’s wrong with you. Why are you shouting like this..’.
I hurried down the stairs. I saw Meera, my sweet wife, sitting in the couch giving breakfast to my 7yr old daughter Achala.
Both looked happy, watching TV. I got confused at the whole scenario. I came running down, expecting some kind of earthquake, but instead here everything was in place. I looked at my wife & daughter. She smiled at me back. Now, I more got confused, what’s happening here? Am I in a dream?
‘Meera…’ ‘Yeah Rajesh…’ ‘You called me. In fact yelled.’
‘Yes. You are right!’
‘Everything is fine here right? Why you screamed like that then…’
‘It’s ‘cos it’s going to be 8am now.’
I couldn’t understand what she was trying to say. Is she playing some kind of prank? Is this the time for all these? I have to be in office by 9am for a meeting.
‘Yes. It’s going to be 8am.Right! So…?’
‘Rajesh, don’t tell me, you forgot…today is 27th ‘
‘27th..What 27th?
‘Don’t tell me you don’t remember?’
Meera gave me an ‘I’ll kill you’ look. Is it her birthday? No it’s somewhere at the year end. Is it my daughter’s? No no , we celebrated last month only right. Got it. Should be our Anniversary.
‘Hey Meera, How will I forget our Anniversary…’
‘Whaattttttt? ???….Anniversaryyyy y???…..’
Got it. It’s not our anniversary. Before I get killed…What’s w/ 27th. What ?? what?? Come on Rajesh!! Think. Nothing hit my mind. I looked at my daughter for a clue. She turned her face away. What’s with all women? Why can’t they be straight forward & say things. With so much work pressure, how on earth I am supposed to remember all the dates?. If I say something, then Meera will pick up a fight, and I will miss the meeting, my whole day will be gone. I made up my mind to surrender.
‘Meera, Sorry, I don’t remember. This medicine I am taking for cough, Something happened..my memory is deteriorating ..What’s today?’ Meera doesn’t seem like buying that excuse from me.
’Meera, please tell me’ I asked in a pitiable tone..
‘Rajesh..You don’t remember at all?’ I moved my head left & right meaning NO. I kept my face like I am a patient suffering from ‘amnesia'.
'Rajesh, As part of annual day celebrations, today is 'Daddy's Day' in Acchu's school. I have been telling you for the past 3 weeks. Now don’t tell me you forgot. You already promised that you will go with her to her school'
I couldn’t believe that I accepted for something like that. 'Meeraa..did I??'
'Yes. You did'
‘at what time it starts..?'
'By 8:30am and ends at 1pm'.
Gosh!! 9am!! I have such a critical meeting. How I will attend all these.
“Meera, you could have reminded me yesterday right?’
‘Oh I didn’t remind you? Great. I didn’t call to your office. Or remind you in the evening and before going to bed’
Might be I wouldn’t have heard it. Or slipped out of my memory. What ever!!
'Meera! Can’t you attend all these. Why should I??'
"Rajesh. It’s Daddy's Day!...DADDY' ss!!!!!'
'Oh yeah....but. ..'
'But what????...'
'errrh....might be some other day...'
'What? You want the school to postpone the function?'
'No..No…actually..what. .I am saying is..'
'What Rajesh??? What?? Tell me. You promised Acchu and are you going to disappoint her? '
I stood there totally helpless. I looked at my daughter. She was all dressed up and ready to go. She looked like, she will cry any time. I saw Meera. She gave me a murderous look. I thought for a moment and my mind raced with many calculations. Important meeting. I can’t miss for sure. Half a day is too much. So many deliverables will get affected. I can’t face Meera again if I don’t go. Might be I can postpone the meeting by an hour and for name sake visit that function and escape to office.
'Meera, I will go, but I can spend only 1 hour..'
'No...that’s not..'
Before Meera finished the sentence, Acchu rushed to me 'Thanks daddy. 1hour. Mom, 1hour is enough mom. Please don’t fight mom. Daddy, get ready soon..' she nudged me.
‘Do you know her school name and the route for the school or you want me to tell???’ Asking that Meera threw me an angry look and left the living room. I rushed up, got ready. Called my manager & told that I need to drop my daughter at school and postponed the meeting to 10am.
I took Achala to her school. I felt somehow entering the school, ‘cos it’s the 2nd time, I am entering her school. In fact 1st time. I once dropped her outside her school gate. The school had a big playground, Small Park with all kids playing equipments. Some stalls were put up. So many kids with their fathers moved around here & there. Suddenly I felt some one touching my hand
‘Are you achala’s daddy?’ – A small kid asked. She had curly hair and bubbly smile.
‘Yes,,,My Daddy..…’ – Achala responded in an excited tone. And some kids ran towards me and Achala started introducing everyone.
‘Daddy! this is Rohit, this is Zakir, Anis, Sylvia, Divya..’ – I told hello to everyone.
‘Daddy, Daddy, Zakir is my best friend.’ – I smiled at that cute blue eyed boy.
‘Uncle, Acchu told that you have so much work and you won’t be able to come. She told she won’t come in today. You don’t have work Uncle?’ – Zakir asked me.
I suddenly felt very bad on how my daughter has understood me. ‘No Zakir, I don’t have work’
‘Daddy, they are calling for the games. ‘ . Zakir ran to his father and waved his hands at me & achala. I took achala by hand and walked towards the stage. They were announcing the 1st game. Fathers will be given a sheet containing questions about their kids. Fathers have to fill about their kids which will be verified with the kids response.
Achala was all excited about the game and she was all set to go. But I felt shivers. I looked at my daughter. Suddenly, I felt very far from her, and the reality hit me, that I don’t know anything about my very own daughter. I blurted out ‘Acchu..we will attend the next game..This one ..’ She gave me a deep stare. I thought she is going to cry or shout or do something. But instead she pulled out a small paper from her jeans pocket and gave it to me. Completely baffled, I opened the sheet.
My name is Achala. My birthday March 21st. I am 7yrs old. I like butterfly. Superman. Dairy milk. painting. dancing. I am in 1st standard A section. I like Dora. Mango. Apple. Fried rice. Jelly. I don’t like banana. I drink boost.. I like yellow color. My nick name is ‘Honey dew’
And the list went on with small, small spelling mistakes. I looked at Acchu. ‘Daddy, read it, I know they will keep this game. So I wrote it 2 days back itself, to give you if you come. If they ask anything about me, write there. Ok Now go & attend the game’. Most of the things, my daughter has written & gave me, I never knew anything about it. I suddenly felt a lump in my throat. I went to the stage waved my hand to Acchu and got the question sheet. Since Acchu gave the sheet, I came to know about her & I answered almost all the questions. Then they asked Acchu on stage and asked the questions to her. We got the 2nd highest mark in that game. Acchu came running towards me and hugged me. They gave a ‘toy guitar’. Everyone congratulated us. Thou’ I won that game, I felt like a loser. I know, I don’t deserve this. I don’t know anything about my daughter.
She looked very happy showing that guitar to her best friend, Zakir . What a kid she is. Understanding that her dad is totally hopeless and don’t want to let her dad down, before others she prepared that sheet and gave to me. The lump in my throat started getting bigger and my heart became heavy. I caressed her hair. What a beautiful smile she has and such big eyes. Does she miss a wing to get qualified as an angel? I have never admired my daughter or even watched her in all these years. She has that cute dimple of Meera’s as well as her eyes. Does that curling lip edges when she smiles, is mine? How I missed all this in my life.
Achala pulled me to the stalls there and I got some eatables and balloons for her and Zakir.. She kept talking about the next game and suddenly my mobile rang. Oops!! Is it already 10am. I looked at Acchu . Suddenly her face became dark. She looked totally upset and asked in an low voice ‘Daddy! You have to leave now?’
I looked at my mobile. My manager was calling. It’s already 10am. I looked at Acchu. I looked around. All those happy kids with their fathers. I thought about my school days, where my dad used to come for all sports day, annual day, sit with me, cheer me up. Every day morning, while dropping me to school, he will wait near the gate until my head disappear. Evening, he will come & pick me up in his cycle, and I will be telling him all the stories that happened that day in school.
I saw Acchu. How many untold stories my daughter has kept in her heart to say me? I thought about all those days, where I yearned for a girl child and I wonder, how much of my time I gave her.
I pulled her closer, gave a kiss on her fore head ‘No Honey! I am not going. I will be here only…we will attend all games and roam around whole day.ok?’
‘Really?’ – She asked in an unbelievable tone.
‘Yes sweetz’
‘Thank you Daddy!’ – Achala kissed my cheeks and ran to her friends. School teaches you something or the other always. This time, ‘back to school’ has taught me a wonderful life’s lesson. I called my
manager & told that I really need to spend some urgent time with my daughter at her school, and can’t come in today. I know, I can handle things tomorrow. He understood that today my daughter needs me more than anyone can need me in this world. With a lighter heart, I got up; ran towards Acchu, lifted her and gave her a big swing. She erupted into an uncontrollable laughter. The lump in my throat started melting away.
A Wonderful Story of a little daughter…
‘You have done a brilliant work Rajesh. You have been given…. ……Raaaajjjeeeessshhhh………… Raaaajjjeeeessshhhh .’- what!!
I woke up from a sudden jerk. ‘Raaajeeessshhh….’…I heard my wife yelling. What’s wrong her?
Always yelling for something or the other. I can’t be in peace even in my dreams. Shucks!! Angrily, I kicked my blanket and got down. ‘Raaajesssh….’ ‘Coming Meera..what’s wrong with you. Why are you shouting like this..’.
I hurried down the stairs. I saw Meera, my sweet wife, sitting in the couch giving breakfast to my 7yr old daughter Achala.
Both looked happy, watching TV. I got confused at the whole scenario. I came running down, expecting some kind of earthquake, but instead here everything was in place. I looked at my wife & daughter. She smiled at me back. Now, I more got confused, what’s happening here? Am I in a dream?
‘Meera…’ ‘Yeah Rajesh…’ ‘You called me. In fact yelled.’
‘Yes. You are right!’
‘Everything is fine here right? Why you screamed like that then…’
‘It’s ‘cos it’s going to be 8am now.’
I couldn’t understand what she was trying to say. Is she playing some kind of prank? Is this the time for all these? I have to be in office by 9am for a meeting.
‘Yes. It’s going to be 8am.Right! So…?’
‘Rajesh, don’t tell me, you forgot…today is 27th ‘
‘27th..What 27th?
‘Don’t tell me you don’t remember?’
Meera gave me an ‘I’ll kill you’ look. Is it her birthday? No it’s somewhere at the year end. Is it my daughter’s? No no , we celebrated last month only right. Got it. Should be our Anniversary.
‘Hey Meera, How will I forget our Anniversary…’
‘Whaattttttt? ???….Anniversaryyyy y???…..’
Got it. It’s not our anniversary. Before I get killed…What’s w/ 27th. What ?? what?? Come on Rajesh!! Think. Nothing hit my mind. I looked at my daughter for a clue. She turned her face away. What’s with all women? Why can’t they be straight forward & say things. With so much work pressure, how on earth I am supposed to remember all the dates?. If I say something, then Meera will pick up a fight, and I will miss the meeting, my whole day will be gone. I made up my mind to surrender.
‘Meera, Sorry, I don’t remember. This medicine I am taking for cough, Something happened..my memory is deteriorating ..What’s today?’ Meera doesn’t seem like buying that excuse from me.
’Meera, please tell me’ I asked in a pitiable tone..
‘Rajesh..You don’t remember at all?’ I moved my head left & right meaning NO. I kept my face like I am a patient suffering from ‘amnesia'.
'Rajesh, As part of annual day celebrations, today is 'Daddy's Day' in Acchu's school. I have been telling you for the past 3 weeks. Now don’t tell me you forgot. You already promised that you will go with her to her school'
I couldn’t believe that I accepted for something like that. 'Meeraa..did I??'
'Yes. You did'
‘at what time it starts..?'
'By 8:30am and ends at 1pm'.
Gosh!! 9am!! I have such a critical meeting. How I will attend all these.
“Meera, you could have reminded me yesterday right?’
‘Oh I didn’t remind you? Great. I didn’t call to your office. Or remind you in the evening and before going to bed’
Might be I wouldn’t have heard it. Or slipped out of my memory. What ever!!
'Meera! Can’t you attend all these. Why should I??'
"Rajesh. It’s Daddy's Day!...DADDY' ss!!!!!'
'Oh yeah....but. ..'
'But what????...'
'errrh....might be some other day...'
'What? You want the school to postpone the function?'
'No..No…actually..what. .I am saying is..'
'What Rajesh??? What?? Tell me. You promised Acchu and are you going to disappoint her? '
I stood there totally helpless. I looked at my daughter. She was all dressed up and ready to go. She looked like, she will cry any time. I saw Meera. She gave me a murderous look. I thought for a moment and my mind raced with many calculations. Important meeting. I can’t miss for sure. Half a day is too much. So many deliverables will get affected. I can’t face Meera again if I don’t go. Might be I can postpone the meeting by an hour and for name sake visit that function and escape to office.
'Meera, I will go, but I can spend only 1 hour..'
'No...that’s not..'
Before Meera finished the sentence, Acchu rushed to me 'Thanks daddy. 1hour. Mom, 1hour is enough mom. Please don’t fight mom. Daddy, get ready soon..' she nudged me.
‘Do you know her school name and the route for the school or you want me to tell???’ Asking that Meera threw me an angry look and left the living room. I rushed up, got ready. Called my manager & told that I need to drop my daughter at school and postponed the meeting to 10am.
I took Achala to her school. I felt somehow entering the school, ‘cos it’s the 2nd time, I am entering her school. In fact 1st time. I once dropped her outside her school gate. The school had a big playground, Small Park with all kids playing equipments. Some stalls were put up. So many kids with their fathers moved around here & there. Suddenly I felt some one touching my hand
‘Are you achala’s daddy?’ – A small kid asked. She had curly hair and bubbly smile.
‘Yes,,,My Daddy..…’ – Achala responded in an excited tone. And some kids ran towards me and Achala started introducing everyone.
‘Daddy! this is Rohit, this is Zakir, Anis, Sylvia, Divya..’ – I told hello to everyone.
‘Daddy, Daddy, Zakir is my best friend.’ – I smiled at that cute blue eyed boy.
‘Uncle, Acchu told that you have so much work and you won’t be able to come. She told she won’t come in today. You don’t have work Uncle?’ – Zakir asked me.
I suddenly felt very bad on how my daughter has understood me. ‘No Zakir, I don’t have work’
‘Daddy, they are calling for the games. ‘ . Zakir ran to his father and waved his hands at me & achala. I took achala by hand and walked towards the stage. They were announcing the 1st game. Fathers will be given a sheet containing questions about their kids. Fathers have to fill about their kids which will be verified with the kids response.
Achala was all excited about the game and she was all set to go. But I felt shivers. I looked at my daughter. Suddenly, I felt very far from her, and the reality hit me, that I don’t know anything about my very own daughter. I blurted out ‘Acchu..we will attend the next game..This one ..’ She gave me a deep stare. I thought she is going to cry or shout or do something. But instead she pulled out a small paper from her jeans pocket and gave it to me. Completely baffled, I opened the sheet.
My name is Achala. My birthday March 21st. I am 7yrs old. I like butterfly. Superman. Dairy milk. painting. dancing. I am in 1st standard A section. I like Dora. Mango. Apple. Fried rice. Jelly. I don’t like banana. I drink boost.. I like yellow color. My nick name is ‘Honey dew’
And the list went on with small, small spelling mistakes. I looked at Acchu. ‘Daddy, read it, I know they will keep this game. So I wrote it 2 days back itself, to give you if you come. If they ask anything about me, write there. Ok Now go & attend the game’. Most of the things, my daughter has written & gave me, I never knew anything about it. I suddenly felt a lump in my throat. I went to the stage waved my hand to Acchu and got the question sheet. Since Acchu gave the sheet, I came to know about her & I answered almost all the questions. Then they asked Acchu on stage and asked the questions to her. We got the 2nd highest mark in that game. Acchu came running towards me and hugged me. They gave a ‘toy guitar’. Everyone congratulated us. Thou’ I won that game, I felt like a loser. I know, I don’t deserve this. I don’t know anything about my daughter.
She looked very happy showing that guitar to her best friend, Zakir . What a kid she is. Understanding that her dad is totally hopeless and don’t want to let her dad down, before others she prepared that sheet and gave to me. The lump in my throat started getting bigger and my heart became heavy. I caressed her hair. What a beautiful smile she has and such big eyes. Does she miss a wing to get qualified as an angel? I have never admired my daughter or even watched her in all these years. She has that cute dimple of Meera’s as well as her eyes. Does that curling lip edges when she smiles, is mine? How I missed all this in my life.
Achala pulled me to the stalls there and I got some eatables and balloons for her and Zakir.. She kept talking about the next game and suddenly my mobile rang. Oops!! Is it already 10am. I looked at Acchu . Suddenly her face became dark. She looked totally upset and asked in an low voice ‘Daddy! You have to leave now?’
I looked at my mobile. My manager was calling. It’s already 10am. I looked at Acchu. I looked around. All those happy kids with their fathers. I thought about my school days, where my dad used to come for all sports day, annual day, sit with me, cheer me up. Every day morning, while dropping me to school, he will wait near the gate until my head disappear. Evening, he will come & pick me up in his cycle, and I will be telling him all the stories that happened that day in school.
I saw Acchu. How many untold stories my daughter has kept in her heart to say me? I thought about all those days, where I yearned for a girl child and I wonder, how much of my time I gave her.
I pulled her closer, gave a kiss on her fore head ‘No Honey! I am not going. I will be here only…we will attend all games and roam around whole day.ok?’
‘Really?’ – She asked in an unbelievable tone.
‘Yes sweetz’
‘Thank you Daddy!’ – Achala kissed my cheeks and ran to her friends. School teaches you something or the other always. This time, ‘back to school’ has taught me a wonderful life’s lesson. I called my
manager & told that I really need to spend some urgent time with my daughter at her school, and can’t come in today. I know, I can handle things tomorrow. He understood that today my daughter needs me more than anyone can need me in this world. With a lighter heart, I got up; ran towards Acchu, lifted her and gave her a big swing. She erupted into an uncontrollable laughter. The lump in my throat started melting away.
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Strength.........A must Read Poem
I asked for Strength.... .....
And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom...... ...
And God gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity.. .......
And God gave me Brain and Brawn to work.
I asked for Courage..... ....
And God gave me Danger to overcome.
I asked for Love........ .
And God gave me Troubled people to help.
I asked for Favors...... ...
And God gave me Opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted ........
I received everything I needed!
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Women
I was born, a woman was there to hold me...MY MOTHER
I grew as a child, a woman was there to care for me, to play with me...MY SISTER
I went to school, a woman was there to help me learn...MY TEACHER
I became depress, whenever I lost, a woman was there to offer a shoulder...MY WIFE
I became tough, a woman was there to melt me...MY DAUGHTER
I am dying, a woman is there to absorb me...MY MOTHERLAND
all men should be thankful to women.THANKS WOMAN...
I grew as a child, a woman was there to care for me, to play with me...MY SISTER
I went to school, a woman was there to help me learn...MY TEACHER
I became depress, whenever I lost, a woman was there to offer a shoulder...MY WIFE
I became tough, a woman was there to melt me...MY DAUGHTER
I am dying, a woman is there to absorb me...MY MOTHERLAND
all men should be thankful to women.THANKS WOMAN...
Saturday, 16 October 2010
God--An Experience
I want to share one experience. I am a strong god believer but i never go to temple or bribe god by saying that will give this and that if such a thing happens.
So, Let me say. It was in 2006. I was working with one leading publishers in Kottayam in the HR and Personnel Department, but really fed up with the lots of works, partiality of the management and low salary and the employers rough attitude towards ladies.
Though, I prayed to god to give me something better, it never happened, instead day by day, i was given lots of works only. I found it too difficult to handle the statutory compliances, attendance, payroll of more than 500 persons alone. But then with the god given strength, i somehow done it.
Then, it was on March 26th that i saw a man who don't know any work, just jogging about in the office and much junior to me was given a very high salary hike. This really brought tears in my eyes. But then nothing can be done. With hope, sitting there, i prayed to God, but not the usual one, i just prayed, next month my birthday comes, and on that day, i should give my resignation.
Days passed by, many many applications were sent but no response. But everyday i talked to God, as i was talking to a friend, i just told him,see your time ends here, just prove-- like that.
But on, April 23rd night, ,i received a call from a highly reputed company, to attend for a interview at their place on 25th.I went to the interview, attednded it. Then on my way back, i received the second call from them to attend the second interveiw on 27th. I went there, nothing to speak, they just asked me the salary part. They quickly agreed to my part, gave me the offer letter within an hour. See, on that day, afternoon, i went the office and submitted my resignation and then joined in the new company from may 22nd.
It was my birthday on Apr 27th. Now, God gave me, what i asked, but he gave it to me only when he felt that i was needy, what i asked with real tears in my eyes. Now, one more thing, now only i came to understand that why god gave me such a work load at that place, it is because he was giving me knowledge and strength to handle statutory compliance, because he had some plans for me, which i was not aware of. See, when i left that company, many a people contacted me for statutory doubts, and even from the company, where i left they contacted me for preparing annual returns. So, then, I thought, why cannot i make it my own, now with proud let me tell you, alone i am handling the payroll of more than 50 companies and as far as known, the one and only lady consultant.
So, now this is the professional part. But let me say a small incident and stop. One day, my 12 year girl fell down and broke her knee, i was alone at that time, i took her to the nearby medical college, there they took her x-ray and told there is a fracture, so, plastering is to be done. So, i was totally alone, i have to go to get the plaster,do many a things, and i cannot take her also with me. Then, from nowhere a man appeared and told me that he is my mother's friend and he just came to visit a distant relative, and said to me you go and do all things, i will be with her, with the help of that good man, i purchased plaster, phoned my husband, (at that time, mobile was not so popular, and then i have to go out to make a call) then till the time of plastering he was there, but when my husband and father came, he was nowhere to be seen, and infact , i was not been able to say a thanks. But the funniest part is that when i asked my mother, she don't know any person by this name.
So, if you call god, god is there, but will not be with you, until you call him with real tears and then chat with god as if to a friend, he is having plans for us which we don't even dreamt of .
So, Let me say. It was in 2006. I was working with one leading publishers in Kottayam in the HR and Personnel Department, but really fed up with the lots of works, partiality of the management and low salary and the employers rough attitude towards ladies.
Though, I prayed to god to give me something better, it never happened, instead day by day, i was given lots of works only. I found it too difficult to handle the statutory compliances, attendance, payroll of more than 500 persons alone. But then with the god given strength, i somehow done it.
Then, it was on March 26th that i saw a man who don't know any work, just jogging about in the office and much junior to me was given a very high salary hike. This really brought tears in my eyes. But then nothing can be done. With hope, sitting there, i prayed to God, but not the usual one, i just prayed, next month my birthday comes, and on that day, i should give my resignation.
Days passed by, many many applications were sent but no response. But everyday i talked to God, as i was talking to a friend, i just told him,see your time ends here, just prove-- like that.
But on, April 23rd night, ,i received a call from a highly reputed company, to attend for a interview at their place on 25th.I went to the interview, attednded it. Then on my way back, i received the second call from them to attend the second interveiw on 27th. I went there, nothing to speak, they just asked me the salary part. They quickly agreed to my part, gave me the offer letter within an hour. See, on that day, afternoon, i went the office and submitted my resignation and then joined in the new company from may 22nd.
It was my birthday on Apr 27th. Now, God gave me, what i asked, but he gave it to me only when he felt that i was needy, what i asked with real tears in my eyes. Now, one more thing, now only i came to understand that why god gave me such a work load at that place, it is because he was giving me knowledge and strength to handle statutory compliance, because he had some plans for me, which i was not aware of. See, when i left that company, many a people contacted me for statutory doubts, and even from the company, where i left they contacted me for preparing annual returns. So, then, I thought, why cannot i make it my own, now with proud let me tell you, alone i am handling the payroll of more than 50 companies and as far as known, the one and only lady consultant.
So, now this is the professional part. But let me say a small incident and stop. One day, my 12 year girl fell down and broke her knee, i was alone at that time, i took her to the nearby medical college, there they took her x-ray and told there is a fracture, so, plastering is to be done. So, i was totally alone, i have to go to get the plaster,do many a things, and i cannot take her also with me. Then, from nowhere a man appeared and told me that he is my mother's friend and he just came to visit a distant relative, and said to me you go and do all things, i will be with her, with the help of that good man, i purchased plaster, phoned my husband, (at that time, mobile was not so popular, and then i have to go out to make a call) then till the time of plastering he was there, but when my husband and father came, he was nowhere to be seen, and infact , i was not been able to say a thanks. But the funniest part is that when i asked my mother, she don't know any person by this name.
So, if you call god, god is there, but will not be with you, until you call him with real tears and then chat with god as if to a friend, he is having plans for us which we don't even dreamt of .
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