As loud as she could, with a wrinkled voice, she called out. A man crossing the road turned; looking at her with puzzled eyes, then turned back and started walking his way. She called out again and yet again to the stranger, her eyes wide open, but damp. I sensed a kind of stillness for a moment by the side of the noisy junction. I asked her if I could help. And with a gentle smile she reached out her hand hoping if I could lead her to the other side.
Draped in an old torn saree, clutching a walking stick in her hand, she somehow managed to balance her every step. At her age, she was loosing her ability to carry her own weight. With such everyday calisthenics to endure, hope and the faith in god and in life pulled her ahead, built a support for her to be alone, to stand, to walk, and to explore as though she headed on a pilgrimage. Nothing could stop her… I marveled at her attempts to dodge the rushing wheels. Then I smiled back holding her hand and we began to walk. As never before, the wheels slowed down automatically, clearing a path for us. I watched her carefully. Her every move was a wonder; with such strength and unique poise she made it to the other end. And when I looked at her again… her smile was the best gift I earned that morning. She was a stranger and yet I cared, with much respect.
I had never imagined my day would start so wonderfully. Everyday I wake up in a hurry to catch the bus. And the same old routine follows again. The hide and seek of work and rest. The days just pass by. It’s so rare for us to blend with lives now; times have changed, we are growing lonelier by time and age. It’s an amazing journey – this life – and just one moment is enough to make one happy, to touch lives. I can never forget her Will, her face and her smile. It gave me a feeling of pleasure, of joy and contentment, a love for life of yours and others alike. I felt blessed. And with each helping hand I reach out to others, I would have helped myself. Love can have so many faces, so different meanings; and so different expressions... I learned!
Draped in an old torn saree, clutching a walking stick in her hand, she somehow managed to balance her every step. At her age, she was loosing her ability to carry her own weight. With such everyday calisthenics to endure, hope and the faith in god and in life pulled her ahead, built a support for her to be alone, to stand, to walk, and to explore as though she headed on a pilgrimage. Nothing could stop her… I marveled at her attempts to dodge the rushing wheels. Then I smiled back holding her hand and we began to walk. As never before, the wheels slowed down automatically, clearing a path for us. I watched her carefully. Her every move was a wonder; with such strength and unique poise she made it to the other end. And when I looked at her again… her smile was the best gift I earned that morning. She was a stranger and yet I cared, with much respect.
I had never imagined my day would start so wonderfully. Everyday I wake up in a hurry to catch the bus. And the same old routine follows again. The hide and seek of work and rest. The days just pass by. It’s so rare for us to blend with lives now; times have changed, we are growing lonelier by time and age. It’s an amazing journey – this life – and just one moment is enough to make one happy, to touch lives. I can never forget her Will, her face and her smile. It gave me a feeling of pleasure, of joy and contentment, a love for life of yours and others alike. I felt blessed. And with each helping hand I reach out to others, I would have helped myself. Love can have so many faces, so different meanings; and so different expressions... I learned!
