This month was just 30 days and it ended fast, but not the temperature in the city, the weather continued to be hot and sultry. I continued to work, reach the centre, met the clients and took a lot of sessions, related to relationships, grief, overthinking, negative thinking, obsessions etc. The best thing was that there was so much of gratitude from my clients.
I would like to share in this post:
There was one student a few years ago who was referred from the college for fears, anxiety and she was losing in touch with reality, this was a serious concerns for the parents who had come with their daughter – I had counseled her and referred to the doctor as her symptoms were pointing towards serious issues – she was given medical help as well as support counseling and now she is out of danger, she had made some life style changes and doing well.
This was long time ago; I have forgotten about this student. One fine day suddenly the family comes to meet me to express gratitude and update me about their child, listening to the mother was overwhelming as she was shedding tears of gratitude. I felt so touched by her presence and her gesture, for there was a small packet of fruits, extending towards me as an act of thanks giving.
Then there was another person who was coming to me for few sessions and it was grief counseling, the person was not able to come out of grief, loss of a loved one in the family, and it was painful experience for me too to listen to how one struggles with grief, and there is so much of guilt, regret, self blame… its not easy..I am glad to be of help and this person was so happy that in the next visit – I got a small dabba of sabudhana kitchidi which was the person’s favorite dish. this was not expected, still I do appreciate the thought process and the way people express thanks, make me feel grateful for these moments.
I am grateful for my generous neighbor who keeps sending our family whatever she makes, she lives alone, both daughters are married and settled and live a little away from her. She sent some hot medhu vada’s to our family for breakfast. Small joys and these were eaten with gratitude.
This month one of our school friends had called for evening gathering for a cup of Tea & Tombola for fun. She was leaving out of town for a month and wanted to see all of us before she left. We were happy to gather and had Tea, played Tombola and I was happy to win the last line😊which was followed by snacks and some juice, we met her family members who arranged everything for us and I came back home as it was also cloudy and drizzling. I am grateful for this small break for a couple of hours from my regular work.
At work front there were follow ups of the trainings which has taken place related to Substance Addiction – some NGOs who were part of this programme had come back to plan for a closure of this programme as a valedictory function. This kept me busy and I am grateful that I get to go to work, which I love and that which gives me happiness and fulfilment.
There was another college mate who was sick and hospitalized with a major surgery to be done, and all of us friends were praying for her and it was a big miracle, the robotic surgery was successful and she healed fast. She shared her experience with us and told us that it’s a second life for her, as it was slightly complicated, but she found doctors who were not just professional but were optimistic and positive, with the right connects everything worked in her favor including the cost which was covered by medical insurance. I feel overwhelmed by these experiences and I am grateful to God.
This month there were also a couple of deaths in the YWCA of Secunderabad. One member who was sick for some time, by name Joan Valetine died. She used to be active member until she fell sick and could not walk. I am inspired by her daughter who looked after both her mother and her father, despite challenging times she did her best for her mom.
I was disturbed as another active members from the YWCA of Secunderabad had a sudden death. I did not expect this and it was shocking as she was not only active, but a cheerful, friendly, positive and committed person, it’s a big loss for the YWCAof Secunderabad. I went to see her and I found that she was smiling peacefully, it was a very peaceful death, just little discomforts and till the last moment she was surrounded by loved ones. Death is a reminder that we need to be prepared when our time comes. I am grateful for these reminders as they keep us grounded.
This month I also celebrated birthday of our college mates – she was unwell and had to be hospitalized and she was worried and tensed as it was a surgery to be done, and we all were praying for her safety. Luckily, she came out without any complications, and we were overwhelmed by Gods mercy, we celebrated her once she came out of the hospital, it was a robotic surgery, so healing was fast and she could get back to work. I am grateful to have my college mates who are brave and inspiring too.
This month I got a parcel- a box with delicious sweets from one of my friends – it was good news, a birth of a girl child after a decade of marriage, which brought joy to the whole family, and my friend became a grand mother once again and she was happy to share her joy. I am grateful that there are friends who care enough to share whatever they have and it’s a blessing to be surrounded by them.
One of my college friend too suddenly got sick and within no time was put in the ICU for breathlessness. I felt strange that so many things just happen randomly – life is full of surprises, I thought she will come within few days, but to my surprise she was there for more than a week, which was a concern – so I took another friend with me to see her, and thanks be to God she was in the process of recovery but feeling weak. Now she was discharged from the hospital recently and healing well.
This month was a birthday celebration too of my friend Saroj, an opportunity for all the friends to come together and spent time, we went out for lunch and each of us complimented her for all that she is to each one of us, we cut the cake and a beautiful hand made card was done by Dorothy and another friend brought home made mango pickle for all of us.. we went out to another place for tea and it was a refreshing experience to chill out with friends.
We had a breakfast meet with another group of friends who work in the area of mental health, and also celebrated a birthday we missed in the month of March. This was in another part of the city, and after meeting we went back to our work places to continue to work. We shared some small little things we picked up for one another while we went out for short trips, and we were happy that we stay connected with one another, reaching out personally and also professionally.
I am grateful to have interacted with the Government High school children, as I took one session for them on Substance Abuse and its impact on students. There were lots of interactions and I enjoyed as I heard their responses. I am glad for the committed teachers who focus on these issues while also completing their syllabus.
Life is all ups and downs, and this month had me laugh, cry, reflect, pause and empowered me to be grateful despite of everything life offers us each and every day of life. I never cease to be grateful, as the day ends and few more hours I shall hopefully welcome the 7th month of this year – I look forward with optimism, faith, courage and conviction that everything does work for good for those who trust in the Lord.
I am glad to be writing this post today, as this duty of thanks is extremely important for me to keep me going, and continue to remain grateful for everything, as gratitude lifts my heart, fills me with energy and motivates me to trust myself and hope for the best, as the Best is yet to come.
Thank you for reading my post and there are a lot more things I want to be grateful for; I just picked up randomly everything that’s on my mind at this moment so I could post it without any delay. I hope the month of June brought you immense blessings, as it did for me.
May you be happy and blessed!
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