I am grateful that this month I traveled to Vellore end of August and returned on 1st September bringing my daughter Dorothy back home after successful completion of her course – I am grateful for her resilience to be able to put up for two months a lot of hard work and never giving up attitude, even though she had a choice to do a short term of 4 weeks, but she chose to go for a 8 weeks and finish the intensive PG course in Counseling. We had a comfortable journey slept well in the train and reached by noon.
I am grateful for some interesting experience during my travel, there were many stops where people were just getting down and some of them were getting in, at Tirupathi I saw a gentleman a retired banker who got in and occupied the opposite seat and just started a conversation with me; he started talking about how he came to Tirupathi temple to do some voluntary work, counting the temple money and helping the temple trust in accounts and audit. I was impressed with his service that he has taken upon; for he spent his own money to reach from Aurangabad to Tirupathi and once having completed the work at the temple he was now visiting Golden Temple at Vellore out of interest.
We were complete strangers but very helpful, the train stopped at Katpadi, it doesn’t stop for long as it’s a small station, only 10minutes the train halts. He helped me with my luggage and joined me till I got my cab to reach the institute. I was thankful to God that there are good people in this world and kindness a timeless value, that never goes out of style.
I am grateful that I reached without any discomforts and safely. I entered the premises and Dorothy was just waiting for me, came running and hugged me, it’s been two months. I was so happy and relieved that I got to meet her. We spent one more day as we couldn’t get the train tickets, we were happy to go around the city and came back home safely.
The next day was David’s niece birthday; she turned 14. We were invited for her birthday. Myself and Dorothy visited and spend some time in prayers and there was a cake cutting followed by fellowship dinner. I am grateful for the gift of her for another year has been added to her life.
This month is also Dorothy’s birthday – and she turned 25. I am grateful for the last 25 years; I can’t believe so many years have passed, the babe that I held in my arms has now turned 25. David was also very happy and wanted to celebrate so, few of the extended families were there and it was a simple celebration. We had another celebration with my friends and Dorothy connected with her friends too and she had a great time.
This month was also Arushi’s 20th birthday and we had a great celebration in Aparna’s house, meeting her extended family and also our common friends. The food was delicious, her friends also came and decorated her place and we had a good time.
This month September 10th being the World Suicide Prevention Day – we are expected do a lot of awareness programme on suicide prevention, as our centre was born due to suicides in the campus during the agitation time. I was invited through the YWCA and also directly to take sessions on suicide prevention and mental health. I was glad to visit these Degree colleges for both boys and girls.
The theme focus for this year was “Change the Narratives” “Start the Conversation” an interesting concept, as a team it was nice to put all the material together and create a standardized PPT for ourselves wherein we could adapt depending on the situation. I am always happy interacting with the youngsters in the colleges and come back with enthusiasm with the kind of energy they share in the room.
This month I am grateful for cold and congestion in my chest😊 it was not comfortable, went to the doctor took some medicines and still it took some time, I am grateful because it slowed me down, I realized in the last few weeks I was rushing a lot attending too many meetings, birthdays and get togethers, this discomfort made me slow down. I stopped riding my bike for more than a week, and everything changed.
I am grateful for those around me who were constantly checking on me, my daughter gets worried so she was all the time wanted to know if I am okay, and some fiends who sent some pickles adding spice into my life.
I allowed myself to rest and took my own time to do things, I used auto to commute to work, and I delayed washing clothes and just took one day at a time, rested well and took care of myself, as I am fully aware that that this is the only body I have – I reduced the number of sessions …restricted myself to few. That way I never hurried for anything to be accomplished but let the time take over and that way I gradually healed myself with minimum medicines, hot water steam inhalation, drinking warm water throughout the day, resting well, good sleep, diet and being optimistic.
This month Dorothy too had some discomforts; she had to go for a root canal treatment due the wisdom tooth which was troubling and not being properly placed interfering with other tooth so she was busy visiting the doctor. I am grateful to the Doctor, who is familiar with our family and we trust him that he will always do the right thing when it comes to dental issues.
Work kept me busy the whole month, as we are implementing a project which is for 18 months, and with renovation and repairs at my work- we have moved to another room close by. I am grateful for all the people who are supportive to us and soon our repairs and renovation will be over and we will get back to our centre.
I did have a few students who had come for counseling here; and some of the referral clients referred by our employees, professors and even our director in charge. A few were in touch with Tele counseling and still others connected me on WhatsApp.
I am glad to take a break in between meeting my classmates from my school – one of our school girls completed her MBBS, MD and moved into research on Nutrition, and retired as a Director of National Institute of Nutrition-ICMR, Hyderabad. She wanted to meet all of us for lunch and so we were happy to reconnect with her and catch with all our school memories. We were 13 of us together, and we acknowledged her achievements, and it was a proud moment for us too that she worked so hard to reach a prestigious position in her life. We appreciated her and honored her with a silk saree and a beautiful bouquet and affirmed her of all the lovable qualities of simplicity, generosity, hard working and also friendly and cheerful nature. I am grateful for all these moments that brings joy and gives us happiness.
This month was the candle light ceremony at the YWCA Secunderabad, and this year too I am part of the board as Vice-President. It was a meaningful celebration with the new board taking over with gratitude for the old board and candle lit years ago by a group of women, continues to burn world wide- women recommitting by love to serve one another.
I am grateful that everything was fine at the home front. I had people helping me with household chores, David washing clothes, watering plants and keeping the surrounding clean. There was regular supply of provisions needed or the house, milk delivered at my door and all the basic survival needs were met, can’t thank enough as I feel I am highly blessed, heavily favored and generously blessed😊
As the month of September ends – I am full of gratitude for everything, and welcome the new month October with faith, hope and joy.
May all of you who are reading this post be happy and Blessed !
