Contented Shreya

An incident kind of changed me.Firstly, let me brief what kind of person I am. I always set short-term targets(I dont have life-time bigger targets though) and strive really hard to achieve it. I will be extremely happy if I meet my target. On the other hand, I will be disappointed and frustrated to a state which will take pretty much time to come over my failure.I am very emotional and very very sensitive. My parents are the only souls who have completely understood me and stood by me through out my hard-times.Before this incident, I used crib at the tiniest of the inconvenience or would cry for hours together disturbed by a casual comment a friend passed.

           It was a hot Saturday morning. I had to meet my family friend’s friend. My motive behind this visit being:

1. This friend(UNCLE) is a homeopath and I want to consult him :)

2. Get acquainted to a friend who hails from the same place as I.

I was warmly received by the couple.That was the first time I met them.Aunty was limping.I assumed, it must be due to old-age “some knee or bone weekeness” or osteoporosis. It was a spacious beautiful house with well-maintained garden. There was serenity in the air. Sometimes, we feel happy for no reason. And so was I, happy for some inexplicable, ”I-don’t-kwow-what” reason. Aunty served me some delicious home-made samosas and tea.

I was savoring it and we were chit-chatting through the morning. Topics ranging from Cinemas(Old as well as new. Uncle is Simran’s fan it seems), IT-Industry, Higher-Education, Yoga, Meditation, Homeo etc.Believe me, a 75 yr old uncle could discuss all these with me. I seriously doubt how many 75s can keep us engaged for 3hrs at a stretch. At least most of the others of this age, whom I have met lulled me in the first 10 minutes.His fluentzy and conversation awed me. He is up-to-date and very informative.

I revere him for as many reasons as there are sands in the beach.To mention a few he holds 3 Engineering Degrees(related streams, ofcourse), 2 Masters.Its like through out his life, he has been studying. I found it really hard to complete my 4-year Under Graduation programme. Towards the end of my course I started believing that I am a total misfit and I was very doubtful whether I ll complete my course..Gee Hee…I managed to complete it.

Apart from this, he has completed M.D in Homeo and practicing homeo as well and currently he s pursuing his masters in YOGA. What a man!! I admired his perseverance, his ‘never-to-give-up’ attitude. He also teaches YOGA to students “FREE-OF-COST”. At this age, what is the necessity to teach something “free-of-cost”.Right now he practices homeo(free-of-cost) and teaches yoga.So it never occurred to me and I never asked him where he worked when he was younger.

Aunty casually mentioned that he worked for ISRO. Like there weren’t enough reason, I found myself totally dumb-found, when he mentioned that he has closely worked with “Dr.Abdul Kalam”.He was sharing his experience, working with Dr.Kalam. Atlast I asked him.How did you manage all these? He said with a grin ”I enjoyed doing what ever I did, this interest drives me consistently, manage-time and above all, an understandable life partner is very important to achieve your aspirations”.

            His very understandable and loving life partner, met with an accident few years back, cracking her hip. Many futile surgeries, medications, consultation. Nothing could get her back to shape, she could not lead a normal life.  Her mobility was totally affected after that. She is not supposed to travel at all. Walking is a herculean task, “walking is painful” she said. Uncle helped her to walk most of the times.In spite of her painful walking, she wants to host the guest, take care of her husband by all means. My eyes almost welled  seeing their endurance. Anybody for that matter would be devastated and that too at this age, will be cribbing about the mis-happ. According to him “if it has to happen, it will happen. We should be always prepared to face things in our life and most important of all, be contented with your life”

Also his son doesn’t even respect him. It was very obvious from his son’s behavior. Uncle must be definitely unhappy about that. But brushes aside this with a smile.I could empathize his situation. How will a father feel when parent-son relation ship is strained beyond repair?

Inspite of such odds like a suffering partner,a son who ignores him and most important of all "THE AGE-FACTOR", uncle knows how to keep himself and others around him happy. He said he is contented.

            His statement enlightened me :) ,I am definitely not the best amongst my contemporaries. But still lead a life better than many. I am earning my own living. Affectionate parents, husband who have understood me thoroughly and are ready stand by me through all odds.What more reason do I need to be contented? Now, I am contented with my life and the things that are happening to me.