Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Last few days, I was wondering whether my life made much sense - being rejected by many people for getting over-serious about people politics, unable to handle the situations with my simplicity and honesty, I struggled and suffered in communities even under best leaders. This time the hurt was deep and I felt depressed to the core.

Today, after 10 days, for the first time, I went out, alone, to meet this motherly lady who I had met during my stay in a  program. She had been unwell recently and lived alone. Her sons live in foreign countries and her daughter is no more.

After I called her and told about my plan to visit her, she started becoming excited and planning food immediately. Nowadays, she has a lady cook coming by to help her but she did part of the work herself with her  bandaged leg. Despite everything, the interest and love were unstoppable and she wanted to do whatever she could.

I reached her home after being guided couple of times by her. I carried little things (snacks, books etc.) for her. She had been waiting for some time, when I arrived. She had prepared or bought 5 eatables for lunch and made sure to heat and give me food in the plate, in spite of her bandaged leg. We talked about different things from health to her life to mine - from past to future - from food to travel etc. During the discussions, her care for me became evident when she made little suggestions or supported me.

During the last few months, she had struggled with health and household issues. She had somehow surpassed those difficulties and here she was telling me how all of us must face some or the other problems. She had seen a few people facing worse problems in the hospital and mentioned about their cases and was grateful to God for her present condition which was manageable. She prayed daily and believed so much in Lord Almighty, it was an inspiration to witness the trust.

She wanted to gift me something - she kept thinking of an apparel, watch, footwear etc. whatever was new and great in her home, she wanted to offer. I kept refusing but finally took the footwear. She was so sweet.

She loved the goodies I had brought and wanted to eat them with her tea, I was pleasantly happy to see the childlike interest. She talked to a few people in front of me and told them that I was a friend visiting her. The deep connection and happiness she felt could not be hidden during her conversations with others and me.

I took care in little ways and made a few suggestions as well. While I was leaving, she again gave me lot of details along with change for travel, so that I would not face any problem at all. This was so much love, being offered in subtle ways with materialistic things but the motherly compassion behind it all - was clearly evident.

While, I was spending time with my motherly friend, the following thought kept coming back to me -- probably this is why I have lived through last 10 days in this city.The time I spent with her seemed so much needed. I felt the deep peace it could bring within her and that brought such a big joy!

The truth is that I needed that time equally and the calm I experience now would not have been possible otherwise.

I knew the reason to be living now.....