Sunday, July 23, 2006

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.

8 comments:

Archana Bahuguna said...

Loved this piece too. I am sure you already know but still wanted to mention that you write extremely well. Just curious, do you teach English? And btw, I would be your first reader if you plan to write a book in near future. :-)

passerby55 said...

beautiful...

i wondered why people call them barren!

Movie Mazaa said...

i am reminded of my mom's younger sis, who doesnt have a child of her own. everytime i go visiting, its one celebration for her, as she busies herself cooking and generally seeing to it that i hv a good time there. she does miss hving a child, which is too obvious ~ but she has moved ahead with her life, not letting it bog her down, like some others do.

Usha said...

Agree and they are able to give so much of it with no expectations which makes their love so pure and beautiful.

Hip Grandma said...

archana:glad you liked the piece.i'm not an English taecher.my subject is Botany.How I took up Botany is a separate story but after the initil hiccups I've learnt to love my subject too.

passerby55:i've always felt life has been unkind to them.but then that is life!

velu: why don't you write something abt.her too?

Hip Grandma said...

usha:their love is unconditional.isn't it?

Hip Grandma said...

Mahadevan:you are right.children tend to limit one's capability of loving and giving.

Anonymous said...

Really amazing! Useful information. All the best.
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