Emmanuel

Emmanuel my son is a down syndrome child, and he is the most beautiful gift God has given to me, He is full of innocence, love and laughter.

I never thought in my life that I shall meet Emmanuel – when I was just 3 months pregnant, the doctors told me that he is a very small baby, very weak and may not survive for 9 months in my womb, and I may have a natural abortion. 

If by chance he survives, he will be a special child, may not be like the normal children. And I have a choice to make to continue my pregnancy or go for termination.

I was shocked, frightened and for a moment, I was blank, it took me some time to digest, and I cried bitterly sitting in the prayer room of the hospital, arguing with God, why me O Lord, and what do I need to do.

l am not sure what this baby will be like, and how he/she will look, what problems I may have to face …. There were lots of questions in my mind, my husband was a great support to me, and he had deep faith in God, and added to that I had a wonderful doctor to counsel me – Dr Evita Fernandez who I can never forget; she was very kind, gentle and prepared me for the worst.

I was thankful to God for her guidance, because she was a balanced person with strong faith in God, and she accompanied me in my journey for those nine months, and saw my pain, fear and insecurity.

I am lucky to have very good friends who stood by me, comforted me, shared my pain, sorrow and grief and thus I carried on with faith and trust in God, believing that he has plan for me, and plan for this child too, and when ever there is a question in my mind as to why me lord.

I used hear my heart say because I have greater capacity, and God knew my capacity, and that is why Emmanuel has come into my life. As his birth was scheduled in the Christmas week, we chose to name him Emmanuel, my husband being devotee of mother Mary wanted Mario to be added to his name, so he was named as Mario Emmanuel, and when ever we call him Emmanuel, we remind ourselves that God is with us.

Emmanuel is 5 years old now – and has added so much joy in our lives, and he has also been challenging me at every stage of his growth, to go slow in life, as his developments are delayed, I have learnt so much in a short span because of him, I learnt to rely on God more than on my self and my capacity, I have learnt to look at life very closely. I have learnt to live a life of gratitude and I am continuously learning from my son.

Emmanuel has added meaning to my life, every small little thing he does brings a lot of joy for us, I am filled with wonder and awe, he has enriched my relationship with my husband, and he continues to be angel in my family.

Be Happy !

G Angela

Attitudes are important than facts

One evening I came back tired from the office, after my work, and as I finished my evening tasks of responding to kids, checking in the kitchen to see if there is enough for every one for dinner, and then checking if my son is having fever.

I just sat down with my children spending time and listening to my daughter’s complains about my mother law and generally what she did the whole day etc. suddenly my youngest brother arrived with two children, just to meet us as his daughter and son had a holiday.

Being tired after a whole days work, I was in no frame of mind to serve or to entertain, I was getting irritated that at the end of the day to go back to the kitchen and prepare a meal for them While these thoughts were on in my mind.

I continue to converse with my niece and nephew, as they casually shared with me about their studies, and holiday time, they told me, that it is they who insisted their father to bring them so that they could play with my children being a holiday, and in their conversation, also told me that they walked from their home to reach my place.

I was so shocked, as the distance was quite a long one, the desire to meet us was so strong, that they did not mind walking this long distance, and they forced their father to take them walking when he said he had no money.

For a moment, I just stood still, looking at my brother who is struggling to raise the kids, and my niece and nephew always waiting for holidays to spend outside home, as they were poor and always waited for opportunities for invitation. 

Immediately my attitude changed, and I was moved with love and compassion, to know that these small children have walked for so long – this triggered my mind and heart, and I got into action, quickly I put aside my lethargy and negative thinking and went into the kitchen and prepared a meal for them, all my tiredness vanished.

I felt good within, and also happy that I was able to reach out in kindness. At the end of the meal all three of them came to me, and thanked me for serving them a hot meal. I smiled and in my heart thanked God for giving me an opportunity to serve and also for helping me to change my attitude.

I learnt once more in my life never to criticize or judge anybody, for you never know what kind of situations people come from, and I remembered a good quote I read somewhere. 

"Kindness is the rent that you pay for occupying the space on this earth."

Be Blessed & Be Happy !

G Angela

The Hospital Window

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his room mate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased room mate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

This is a beautiful story of how some people can be so encouraging despite having their own problems in life, when we share our problems, fifty percent of the problem is solved, and when we share our happiness, our happiness just get doubled, when ever you feel down or feel the lack, start counting all the things that money cannot buy and you feel a lot more richer, there is a hymn I used to sing called count your blessings - I used to feel very motivated to sing this hymn, and remember all those things which I need to be thankful for:

• The gift of life – the very breath of life, which I realized even more in the last few weeks when I had severe cold and cough.
• The gift of love and relationships – of family, friends, colleagues where I can share, be myself
• The beauty of nature – sun, moon, stars, plants, flowers
• The gift of my body – my mind that makes me think, the heart that makes feel emotions, that enables me to express myself
• The inspiring books that I read, the people who inspire me to live meaningfully
• All those special friends who motivate me and share their struggles and success
• All those victims of domestic violence who trust me and take me into confidence in sharing their problems, the list goes on….

Be Happy !
G Angela