The Day of Gratitude

 5th September, the Teachers' Day has always been a sacred and special day of gratitude for parents who were the first teachers; the teachers who enabled us be, become and do whatever we can as citizens of this great country; friends and mentors whose support and unconditional love have made possible our evolvement as individuals. 

Today,  since wee hours of morning I lay awake in mood solemn and pensive as the day also happened to be Pitaji's shraadh. The excruciating pain due to tooth ailment was hindering clear thinking to be able to express all the feelings and thoughts that mind was swarmed with. Messages from those who had been my students over three decades ago made the heart echo exquisite hum hum.  Did I want to share my thoughts? Did I just want to let the day pass and wait for myself to be in better state of mind and health to pen something?  Did I want to cry? 

Restlessly I was ruminating and lo! I got the mail containing such a tribute on this special day from my dear friend Maneesha which brought tears of gratitude for her this noble gesture. Sharing the same with you here:

By my Side

Amid the chaos and strife

When it was darker inside

You held my hand

As a beacon of light.

You taught me to live

day by day

To walk 

step by step

When what seemed most difficult 

Was ' the life ahead' 

Hold on to Hope

Keep your Faith.

They are the real asset

You taught.

You smiled with me

In my joys small and big ,

Each day is a festival

Whenever we meet.

All my special days

You treat as your own,

To celebrate together 

You are always home.

Our house is your handiwork 

Bears imprint of your style

The best you come across

Is its next pride.

You taught me Caring

You taught me Sharing 

You taught me what it actually means

To be a Family.

You are with me

In my moments of prayer 

You connect me to Him

As a gentle reminder .

By blessing me with

The Miracle of Reiki

You opened for me

The world of Healing.

Your gifted crystals 

Protect me lovingly

With niyam of Dhyan

You have woven

An aura of positivity.

You taught me to be Thankful 

By counting my blessings

And to serve everyone 

Through prayers and healing.

Thoughts and feelings

Are abstract

But can be carved, given a voice

By moulding them in to words.

We can see the invisible 

Go beyond life

Bring here the heaven 

Just with the magic of pen--

You showed.

I have this knack

I too can fly

With the wings of Lekhan

Into the world of Creativity.

You believed

You made this happen.

If there is a teacher

Bigger than Life

Then it is Love

who changes us for better

With its soft strides.

Refined and reformed

I stand firm and strong

Also humble and kindly

Touched by your Love exclusif.

'Love is an infinity

Never an edition limited

It can rise and thrive

Even when at its nadir '

You taught me.

You have been a Teacher,

a Creator

You taught me through Faith 

and Love unconditional 

Never by instructions 

But by being there

As a Constant Companion.

With a bowed head

And a heart full of honour

I say my thanks

To you, my beloved friend.

Thanks, Maneesha for such kind and graciously affectionate expression which brought out the tears I had been able to hold with such an effort during the day. I wish I had the ability to express as lucidly my thankfulness to all who have taught me literally and virtually during all these years of my life. Thank you, God and Time whose benevolence has made me learn even the hardest of lessons amidst ample protection and care and intense feel of pure grace and blessedness.