WHAT IS PRECIOUS?

What is precious? Let me think. Hmmmm……Diamonds, sapphires? Or from my sister’s mouth, it could be her ATM? My darling daughter has a different answer though. Kids are so creative and fundamental that they sometimes end up teaching us the more valuable lessons that we tend to forget as we get on with our busy hard erring lives.

Sometime ago, I was travelling with my daughters in a train. In some way they always look forward to a train journey much more than any other. The mention of it brings in the fervor in them, to gear up for the expedition. Mind it, it does sound like an expedition and nothing less.  It means lots of munching, surplus play time and of course unremitting attention from us. And like each time they were all set with their whole assortment of colours, drawing books, stationery, story book, clay etc. for a mere 4 hour journey.

They particularly prefer the ‘red’ train (Rajdhani) to the blue one (Shatabdi); the reason being the super attractive upper berth to play on. Suhaani insisted to climb on to play with her sisters. While I rose to push her up, her dismayed look to see her crayons fall off her lap, was quite a sight. And like as if the most meticulous girl, instantly and painstakingly she picked them up all and caressed them to carefully handover to me. I was only left wondering if those were her most prizest possession and contemplating in astonishment as what exactly precious was I carrying in my handbag.

I only felt amused at her diligent and insufferably precious performance. I was happy. One coz she was learning to take care of her things on her own and valuing the littlest and most inexpensive things too. But more so coz I learnt to appreciate what precious really is. Not my money, house or jewellery but the real riches that lie deep within your soul and that can never be taken away.

I think its incredible to observe how she collects her little toys, her clips and a few other knick-knacks each day and arrange them like there is nothing more dear in this world.  She will find so much fun in exploring her new toy taking pleasure in the entire discovery. What I feel is that this art that children have is remarkable.

I am sure this is the fairer truth of life what my doll is chasing day in day out and not what we adults are. We consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but we let pass the little things which bring us true happiness. At this point I cannot resist to mention what happened last week.  While I was away to my friends place, Suhaani my new teacher, who persuaded to stay at my aunt’s place for that time, went missing without anybody’s knowledge. I panicked and rushed back to find her. I was in the gush of emotions of so many ‘what ifs?.’ What if she is picked up by someone? What is she is hurt by a car? Within a span of one minute I can’t imagine the things my mind visualized. Next I broke down wondering how I would do without her. I know I was over reacting but found it impossible to hold. Unexpectedly, I get a call from home saying that she has reached back home on her own. God bless. Wow! She is just three and did she really walk back a kilometer to reach home safely?  I was angry at her, relieved for she was safe and honestly a little proud that she knew how to take care of herself. Even though I had decided that I won’t talk to her when I reach back to make her realize how inappropriate her action was, nevertheless I hugged her too tight not letting her go for almost an hour. I certainly understood how invaluable she meant to me; probably much more than anything else in this world. And then I knew who to thank for all the little miracles in our lives. – the precious shield of God that guards us well in all the darkest valleys that we must traverse. “Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get excited about the privileges of simply being human”