I recently went to Baroda to attend my late father's "shraddha", on his first death anniversary. In a very short span of a day during the rituals, my mind was occupied with memories making me go through mixed emotions, leaving my sentiments bit wobbly. I returned, engulfed with restlessness; result of yet another reminder of how things changed within the family post my parents' demise in last three years!
Last evening, while walking on the beach, (my favourite place I visit when I feel the need to calm down) looking at the foot prints on the sand, a lot of memories with my parents were played on my mind; beautiful, abundant memories of a very blessed childhood, memories that brought out best associations with neighbours and extended family members conveying great reverence for my parents that made me feel proud.
Its strange how in spite of knowing that my parents have journeyed well and it was natural for them to depart, I sometimes crave for their physical presence to preserve my link, comfort and indescribably potent sense of security. Try as we may, to prepare ourselves for the departure of those who have been part of our lives, how difficult it is to remain stoic when the moment actually arrives!
Have you ever observed how the beach unfolds lot of stories of the people passed by before us? We walk different paths leaving different foot prints. Some play, some run, some walk erratically, alone, others, with someone special, making castles while some just sit gazing at the horizon and waves. Some people ensure to erase foot prints of people passed before them, while some walk gently without disturbing anything in the surrounding, enjoying every step. Many of us don't leave foot prints because of where and how we choose to walk while some foot prints are rooted so deeply that even the waves are not able to erase them!
Looking at the way my parents touched so many lives, I can't help thinking, when I am gone, would I have made any difference to a few lives? Am I walking a right path to be like a fossil; leave an impression on sand that solidifies into rock so that many years later people can marvel about life I lived, literally and metaphorically?
"When its over, I want to say; all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was a bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. When it is over, I don't want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real. I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened and full of argument. I don't want to end up simply having visited this world." Mary Oliver
Its strange how in spite of knowing that my parents have journeyed well and it was natural for them to depart, I sometimes crave for their physical presence to preserve my link, comfort and indescribably potent sense of security. Try as we may, to prepare ourselves for the departure of those who have been part of our lives, how difficult it is to remain stoic when the moment actually arrives!
Have you ever observed how the beach unfolds lot of stories of the people passed by before us? We walk different paths leaving different foot prints. Some play, some run, some walk erratically, alone, others, with someone special, making castles while some just sit gazing at the horizon and waves. Some people ensure to erase foot prints of people passed before them, while some walk gently without disturbing anything in the surrounding, enjoying every step. Many of us don't leave foot prints because of where and how we choose to walk while some foot prints are rooted so deeply that even the waves are not able to erase them!
Looking at the way my parents touched so many lives, I can't help thinking, when I am gone, would I have made any difference to a few lives? Am I walking a right path to be like a fossil; leave an impression on sand that solidifies into rock so that many years later people can marvel about life I lived, literally and metaphorically?
This quote reminds me of Steve Job's wish to leave a ding in the universe. It isn't about passing through. Its about leaving a mark. Ever thought, what is your mark going to be?
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