| Still Learning ... I often visit an orphanage in Hyderabad run by a colleague of ours. It has also become something of a yearly ritual for my kids to tag along during Diwali to distribute sweets and crackers. We spend quality time interacting with these children. The 13th of March, 2010, happened to be my 21 year old nephew, Adithya’s first death anniversary. I visited the home for the aged, that morning along with Adithya’s mom and sister. Our family had offered a mass and breakfast to the inmates of the home in his memory. Sister Cathleen offered to take us on a trip around the home which housed 130 inmates. She is a truly wonderful lady, ever ready to reach out to the inmates of the home with her contagious smile and twinkling eyes. As we walked through the halls, she made it a point to introduce each and every inmate to us. Sister Cathleen not only remembered their names, but had wonderful things to say about them. Some could barely stand or walk; some came out of the chapel in a wheelchair, while others shook hands and consoled my sister in law and niece. One of the inmates broke down and held my sister in law’s hand when she heard about my nephew. I was moved beyond words because she herself was disabled. Just as we were about to leave, Sister Cathleen hugged us and said, ’Thanks for visiting! I normally ask my visitors what is the lesson they have learnt after visiting the home? That immediately set my mind racing. Yes, the home was neat and tidy. The work of the little sisters of the poor was truly commendable. Their concern, warmth and kindness are immediately apparent. They almost babied the inmates who were confined to their beds, but wait a minute...... There was an uncanny resemblance between the orphans I usually visit and some of the aged inmates...Yes, they had something in common...Yes, the expression in their eyes... the look of sadness and pain etched in their eyes. Both had a blank, empty, spaced out, hungry look...Both were yearning for love, affection, a touch and a hug from their flesh and blood to soothe their troubled hearts; Both were yearning to unite with their loved ones. They desperately wanted to believe that they were needed by their family members. Hope is what kept them going. As I stepped out of the home, I felt as though I ran the entire gamut of mixed emotions -happiness, sadness, empathy, relief, pain, satisfaction, gratitude, humility, disappointment and pride. Sadness, empathy, pain and disappointment for some of the inmates of the home who were dumped by their family like a piece of thrash, and at the same time intense feelings of pride and relief that my siblings and I spent quality time with my 80 year old dad until his last breath on June 17th, 2009. More importantly, a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness that my dad was fully aware of the fact that his children loved and respected him... He deserved that, and much more. It was a truly a life-learning experience. It was a moment that will remain etched in my mind forever.... I realised that it’s wrong to assume that you will become wiser with age and experience. I also realised at that moment that every one of us needs to be reminded of the parable of the lost and found sheep. 20/06/10  10:38 pm, by S4G  Categories: Articles  Post your comment Comment
This story is so touching 19/08/10 02:04 pm |
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