My best Christmas memory

My best Christmas memory….... Years ago when I was in Bangalore I met Br Joshy and Br Jobby from my alma mater St Anthony’s college by chance; we hardly used emails then and FB groups didn’t exist! They were finishing their theology course in Kristu Jyoti.  They invited me one Christmas to accompany them to a nearby village where they used to teach. The occasion was Christmas and the event was a talent show for the kids.  I was to judge a dance competition and I was quite at a loss with  myself since I wasn’t born with any artistic skills whatsoever nor did I cultivate any ever!  I cannot forget the reception I received there. Throngs of children in bright toothy smiles gathering to see me. They wanted to know how to address me and Br Jobby quickly said ‘Sister’. So all around I could hear sounds of Hi Sister, Hello Sister, Welcome Sister. When the actual show began, there was no need to judge. I was fascinated by the children and their simplicity. Their dance simply left me enthralled and I wished big  time to join them. But I was a judge! And a Sister!  I scribbled the score each time a new contestant took the stage! I just could not decide who was the best! But I gave 10 on 10 to a girl of 4 or 5 years who came and stood still and smiled till her teeth ached! Br Jobby or Joshi smiled at me and said ‘But she did nothing?’ I said ‘But I am the judge!’

Speechless

Life is just so unpredictable. I woke up this morning with a resolve to give the best to the world. I made an early start to work as well, reading an inspirational message to have a clear vision on the way to any destination. So was I  all enthusiasm, listening to some music, working, was on track and just knew what I needed to do today. But this was not to last as one of my colleagues let me know the piece of news which disturbed for the whole day. Omji Shukla, a team mate left us for some other abode on Sunday night and we had not known it till Wednesday afternoon almost! He has left behind all the hustle bustle, the mad race, the deadlines, the pressure, the joy, the laughter and all of us. Much it pains my heart to think what his family must be going through at this moment to have lost their young son who I hear was supposed to get married in Feb next year. He use to sit just across my desk and I don’t know how many times I have crossed his desk while getting myself a cup of tea. It is empty now and I still I can’t believe that a man who was there till last Saturday is gone forever! The team was shaken and though we are keeping the show running, there is a strange feeling inside that cannot be expressed in words!  I may or may not remember him forever but I can only imagine the void it has left on the life of family and friends. The person who has his desk next to him  must be taking days to accept this bitter truth.  Here was a healthy person, young man who had much to see and do, gone! Gone! Cannot do anything but ask the Dear Creator to teach his family to live without him!