One of the most delightful jobs of my life is making
gratitude post- as this month has been the shortest one, ended so quickly into
the 3rd month of 2026.
This month began with a celebration with my
colleagues, who are also friends for years. Glad to meet them for a buffet breakfast, it was a big surprise - there was
cake, flowers, chocolates, gifts and lots of hugs, kisses and prayerful wishes.
It’s always a pleasure to have friends who are thoughtful and kind and make
sure they never miss birthdays, even if we are not meeting on that special day,
but we make sure we meet some other day to celebrate- thanks to Aparna who
organized and made sure that I had a lovely time, these are small joys of my
life that makes my ordinary days turn
into extraordinary ones.
Friends
are therapy - it’s a blessing to have them in my life.
I am grateful for my sister in law who had gone out
for a break and came back with cute little earrings, clip, homemade chocolates
and a beautiful shawl for me, and for Dorothy a warm an soft monkey cap. I
appreciate her thoughtfulness whenever she goes out; there is always something
that she gets for me and my daughter.
This month I and Dorothy went for the industrial
exhibition- Hyderabad. We love to go out to this place once a year and move
around looking at different stalls, the games for kids, watch the toy train
moving around and this year we tasted the special Nilofur Chai with Muska Bun and
the Pista House’s haleem was yummy. There was a lot of crowd on our way to the
entrance– but once we stepped inside it was comfortable as there was some
breathing space to freely move around surrounded by colorful stalls, and
eateries.
I am sad to state that one of our relative in our
extended family, suddenly passed away – he appeared fit and active and one fine
day complained of pain in the chest, treatment was done, but he did not
survive, death s always painful – despite the fact that our lives are
temporary, I felt this was a reminder to focus on what truly matters and
enhance the quality of our lives. I am thankful to God for these reminders and
also to give us hope that death is not the end of life, but a beginning of a
new one… all our ancestors have moved on too and they have given us the faith
to believe in God and to find the purpose of our lives, to make our lives
meaningful.
This month 14th February was a reminder to me – that I completed 15 years of my service at Sahayam Psychological Counseling and Wellness Centre- so glad that I survived and sustained myself handling different kinds of issues in the campus.
“Learn
to Trust the Journey, even when you Don’t understand” Lolly Daski
A lot has happened in the last one and half decades
– my daughter Dorothy too has completed her education and working now, our
house loan is cleared- I completed two Post Graduate programmes, a couple of
Counseling training's, one PhD, two Diploma’s in Yoga and Nutrition and still
continuing to learn – countless sessions with clients who have taught me,
enabled me and empowered me towards growth and maturity. I am grateful for
every person in the campus and outside who accompanied me in my journey for
their encouragement and support.
I am also happy to be volunteering at the YWCA of
Secunderabad, and we meet once a month to review, plan and discuss our work
with two communities, the Self help groups, and the service we do in addressing
the adolescents with life skill education.. I am grateful to God for I see these
as opportunities to serve, keeps me grounded in understanding the field
realities of life, which is constantly changing – the challenges are more and
the issues are new constantly demanding me to be relevant.
I had some dental issues this month and my tooth was
painful due to some infection from within. I am grateful to the Dentist who
helped me with painkillers, antibiotics and enabled me to heal myself. I had to
visit him for 2 to 3 sittings and he was very gentle and helped me to recover
faster.
This month I had an invite from CHAI where I worked
for more than a decade (Catholic Health Association of India) celebrating the
life of Dr Sr Mary Glowrey- a brilliant Australian doctor who left behind the
comforts of her homeland and promising medical career to dedicate her life for
the poor and marginalized of our country, becoming a radiant example of faith
in action. A biography of her was released and a statue was also unveiled by
Bishop of Archdiocese of Hyderabad along with the board members of CHAI.
This month I am glad to have taken one day break for
a retreat at Satyodayam- along with the other lay people who had also come for
a Lenten reflection – a time that
reminds us to Pray, Fast ad give Alms – which is part of the tradition in the Catholic
Church. I have always been particular to follow the traditions, at the same
time as I continue my journey of faith, I am learning to move beyond and
reinterpret the true meaning of lent.
While I was finishing this post in the morning – I got
a message stating that Seema Victor a
good friend and member of the YWCA Secunderabad has passed away. She was
suffering for a long time battling lung cancer- she was an inspiration in the
way she handled her pain. This news disturbed me – so I went ahead to visit her
family, shut down my computer hoping that I will complete in the evening.
As I complete this post – I am grateful for every
experience in my life – and my faith says that Death can never be the end of
life, but a New Beginning and I welcome this new month with a heart full of
gratitude trusting God to lead me to life filled with meaning, purpose and
fulfillment.
May you be Happy & Blessed !
