My only 'YOU'

‘Take care of yourself
You’re the only YOU that I have.’
Those were meaningful words - written on a wall hanging at my cousin’s house. It might not have otherwise drawn my attention had it not been for the fact that my cousin had no children. Her only child was born with Down’s syndrome and died at the age of six. The couple had not opted for a second child. I look around me and see a number of childless couple and most of them have a way with children. This cousin of mine loved children and as kids we’d look forward eagerly to her visits. She would tell us stories, crack jokes, laugh and play like a ten year old.
My mother’s sister had no children but she was a second mother not only to us but to children from her husband’s side as well. A friend of mine worked in a school before marriage. She would come back from school, finish giving tuitions to two batches of students and come over to our home even if were only to see our children sleeping. She again has no children.

The founder principal of the college I work in, had a kind word of enquiry for all the staff member’s children, so much so even the day before she died she had expressed concern over my daughter’s college admission. Though she had by then retired, we continued to visit her. Unfortunately she had no children of her own. Because of her attitude we were bound together as a big family and remain so even now. I could give many more examples but no valid explanation. Except perhaps one.

People who have no children are God’s chosen ones. The love that they spread cannot be limited to single family of two or three children. They have enough of it give to all those whom they meet and more to spare for those yet to come.