Memories of Rakhi

 Maria Dorothy my daughter surprised me this time, when she carefully picked up a few friendship bands for her friends, and along with it picked up one Rakhi – which was a beautiful one decorated with colorful flowers and was made of satin thread.

 (Rakhi is a colorful thread which is tied by the sister to her brother on the wrist on the Raksha Bandhan day – a day that speaks of love between brother and sister. This is a common festival in India.)

I quietly watched her buy as she kept telling me that these were for her special friends.  I nodded for I found these are small joys of a child, so I helped her with whatever she wanted to purchase. She was very happy for the choices she made and happily kept it carefully in her bag.

I wondered who will she gave that special Rakhi to?  I tried to find out, and made my guesses of her friends. She refused to tell me, and kept me in suspense saying that it was for somebody very special in her life.

I stopped asking her, and thought she must have bought that beautiful Rakhi for her cousin.  I forgot everything and got busy with my usual routine work of dusting, clearing the clutter and cleaning all the rooms, I moved from one room to another at home and suddenly saw something shining at my son’s photograph.

I went closer, and found a beautiful Rakhi placed near the photograph. I was pleasantly surprised. Dorothy had not forgotten to tie a Rakhi to her brother Emmanuel.

She has been missing him, but did not express anything to me. But in her own sweet way, expressed her love for Emmanuel. I had no words for what I saw for I could not believe my eyes.

I stood there staring at the Rakhi, for it brought some memorable moments of my son Emmanuel. I recalled how he used to extend his hands with a smile, along with his cousin and Dorothy would tie the Rakhi to him. David would give her a small gift on behalf of Emmanuel.

I moved quickly from that place to continue my work . I did not want to dwell for too long on what has gone in the past.  I was slightly disturbed and felt unhappy with the thought that my son is no more.

I looked at the lovely Rakhi which Dorothy has placed, and suddenly felt he was very close to our hearts, he was very much present in our lives, even though it appears he is gone.  Tears were rolling , I  quickly wiped them, lest my daughter will notice me and I did not want to cry in front of her.  I picked up the duster and with a smile continued my work, believing Emmanuel is present very much in our hearts and in our home.

"Cherish all of your memories for they are the experiences that moulded you." Author: Jill Davis

 Be Blessed & Be Happy!

 

Treasured moment!

Exactly 10 days ago, a new member has been added in our family, my sister in law Mary has been expecting a child, and she delivered the child on the September 2^nd 2012.  I along with my husband and Mary’s family waited eagerly, praying for the mother and child’s safety. The reason being that Mary’s first child died within an hour of birth, and I remembered carrying a dead child in my arms. This experience was so shocking, it brought in fear and anxiety now for me.

My thoughts were racing, reminding me of the previous experience, and I stood firm  lifting my heart to God in prayer, as I very firmly believe that doctors and health professionals are not God’s, they do their part, and LIFE definitely is God’s Gift.  While I stood there in faith, the nurse came out and announced that it’s a girl baby, and she brought the baby to show it to us.

The baby was very small, but very cute and active, I held the baby in my arms with gratitude for she was so angelic and perfect that I was overjoyed to see this beautiful miracle in my hands.  I treasured these moments of joy and welcomed the new member with great love, I was with Mary in the hospital taking care of the child in the nights for 3 days, and I cherished every moment watching the little baby. 

It was a beautiful experience to take care of a new born, the happiness she brought took away our anxieties, fears and worry – and she aroused in me, the sweet memories of my own motherhood, and also tender reminders of my mother’s care for me.   

I began to appreciate all the mothers who do so much for their kids, and thanked God for making me women, for these are treasured moments only women can experience.  I am glad for this experience, that has filled my heart with gratitude, and reminded me of these special affirmations from the bible:

·         You may not know me, but I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1

·         I chose you when I planned creation…Ephesians 1:11-12

·         I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live…Acts 17:26

·         You are fearfully and wonderfully made…Psalm 139:14

·         I knit you together in your mother's womb…Psalm 139:13

“A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.” Author: Carl Sandburg.

 

Surprises !

Life is full of surprises, and I feel privileged and welcomed, whenever I find surprises in my life, one of the very interesting things that I noticed very recently was the way I surprised myself. 

I just gave up riding and started walking, all the work that I did using the bike earlier, now I do by taking a walk everywhere, be it post office, bank, my workplace, to pick my daughter from the bus stop, buying vegetables – everything that I want to do, I accomplish using my feet, and have stopped using the wheels. 

The benefits I found are: I have lost a little weight, I am more active, happier, relaxed and sleep well and more than all these, have stopped taking additional burdens in my life which is a bigger relief, as having a bike means more time and sometimes everybody around thinks it’s so easy to get more things done having a bike and unconsciously I end up taking up additional burdens in the name of kindness and generosity of family, extended families and sometimes even friends. 

There is a feeling of happiness to know that I am able to accomplish so much in my life because of the bike – but I had also realized that I have been taking up too many things in my life that has left me tired and stressed. With one simple decision I have empowered myself to focus on what I want to do. So now I have enough time, and I respond to what is important in my life.

In the last few weeks, I have been busy reaching my deadlines at workplace, completing my assignments, helped my sister in law (which means staying with her at the hospital at nights, while she delivered a baby girl, and looking after the little child till she is discharged from the hospital).

I am also happy to have taken a few individual counseling sessions with the students, and offered my time to give orientations on stress management in few colleges..  Some of the things I found  difficult was to check mails, updates on the face book and blog, which I want to do, and for this I need to reorganize myself  and work on managing my time.

When I look back, I was surprised to find myself doing everything that I loved to do and have learnt to relax even when I found that I have not accomplished some things that I want to.  I am grateful and happy for what is happening, and for what is not happening, for I know that I am being led for a particular purpose and I keep walking with faith, hope and gratitude!

The most amazing surprise for today is to celebrate my daughter’s 11^th birthday, who is truly my motivation and blessing!  I Thank the Lord almighty for blessing me with this bundle Joy and for the privileged and honor he has given me to be her mother. 

 So a few lines to my lovely daughter Maria Dorothy:

Having a daughter means …  seeing a thousand rainbows every day, a thousand occasions of sweet hurray, a thousand sweet dreams every night, and a thousand reasons to laugh and smile” Happy Birthday to you Maria Dorothy, our angel ! Today is so important to everyone who knows you and who loves the amazing person you are. On your birthday and always, you’re wished everything wonderful!

 A daughter is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous...full of beauty and forever beautiful...loving and caring and truly amazing.
-- Deanna Beisser

 Be Happy !