Last week, over dinner, a dear friend and we were discussing
the daily travails that ails our hearts and the regular encounters of our aging
selves. He remarked that I am leading a quality life. It was to be another
affirmation of my thoughts, coming from someone else.
The continuum of my miracles is even greater than I would be
able to put down here. It clearly started once I was conceived in my mother.
She was well taken care of, all the basic endowments – clothes, food, shelter,
comforts, affection and more, made its way to her. Even before I was born, my
grandparents started doting on me, depriving my elder brother his due share of
love. He still stands today, by my side - the only one in the family privy to
my true self – a source of immense relief.
Early as a child, my family decided to move out of Delhi and
establish base in a small town in Haryana. We had a government quarter in
cantonment area to ourselves, supplies in place, a clean, quiet environment to learn
and grow in. The compound was huge, with trees laden with leaves and fruits.
In the school, I was a, or among the toppers. It allowed me
excessive advantages to dominate other kids, keep my mouth flowing and question
the ways of administering education. I wish I was more emphatic towards and
cognizant of my fellow beings.
I wonder why my mother always asked me to choose a
profession of my choice, she never expressed a desire for positions,
designations, roles. All she ever wanted and she still does, is for me to be
happy. I choose an overpriced course in a city away from home, I chose to leave
a decently paying job to teach in a government school against my family’s
wishes, I choose to spend time away from them with friends or travelling, I still
choose to spend an amount on a meal in a fancy restaurant which my parents
started their jobs with. Never once, they have flinched to make me comfortable,
happy and feel loved. I am sure there exists no way to repay their affection
and care.
I will quickly recount a portion of what I continue to be
indebted for. Being born a boy – the life is so much easier being a guy in the
country or otherwise – I will make a separate blog entry to thank my father for
his Y chromosome. Getting pampered in the company of affectionate, human,
guiding friends and colleagues throughout. To be able to always afford decent
healthcare, flights to travel home or attend numerous weddings, attend film and
music festivals, indulge in food and comfort. To have the space, time and
resources to persue interests, observe the sun going down, step out at any time
of the day or night.
Also, being honoured with the opportunity to experience and
appreciate human warmth and care. Being endowed with the understanding to share
and receive love. Living with the third person perspective to observe and
correct actions. Being a witness to a soul as it smiles, laughs and cries. To
be able to count the number of shoulders on which I can cry on. I believe it is
indeed a luxury, just to be able to count my blessings.
