The New Beginning

“Ends are not bad things, they just mean that something else is about to begin.C.JoyBell.

Leela stood near the window and kept gazing at the road. She looked listlessly, but told people that she waited for the postman. Those were the good old days when there were no mobiles, no smart phones having search engines like Google to surf, Whatsapp to chat or pictures of every moment in life shared. The virtual world was unknown, yet Leela was facing a change that everyone in the present world must have undergone.

The first deviation that Leela consciously felt was when she began her schooling. It was the good old Government School with  her two adorable younger brothers who were ever willing to bestow every second in this world for her. This was an incredible change, she loved studying so took to the change as fish to water. Leela belonged to a rich family, her father owned a rubber plantation and many shops in the area that were let out on a nominal rent. The worst part came when little Leela lost her father when she was merely eleven years old. The family clung on to each other and slowly conquered this unpleasant phase as they grew. Leela cared for her brothers, but she was treasured by her brothers as she was tall, beautiful and talented.

Leela excelled in studies and passed out her twelfth with flying colours. There were hardly any colleges for graduation, especially for girls. Leela felt that was the end of her studies and in all probability she would be married off, but the adoring family looked out for a college for Leela and Leela turned out to be the first lady graduate in her town. She was proud of the identity she gained. Her mother and brothers looked out for a handsome, well known boy and got her married. Her life with Sarvotham began in Andhra Pradesh though they were posted at many other places all over India, the longest tenure was in Andhra Pradesh especially in the way laid places like Warangal.

Leela took to the changes of motherhood  with ease and the language spoken in a right stride by involving herself well. She socialized and learnt to speak Telugu fluently. She had a Tamilian friend who taught her to speak Tamil, she was also introduced to the script of the language. She was quick at learning it. She, however, acknowledged humbly that she could read, but not write Tamil. Sarvotham admired the devotion with which she managed home and friends. Leela always wished to seek her own identity through a job, but her four children kept her very busy. One of the days she was diagnosed with Bronchitis and needed rest. So the eldest daughter was left at Sarvothama’s parental home. His family and mother kept the girl happy, but Leela missed the child. She would make frequent trips to her home town with the kids.

This was a difficult period, but she overcame it when Sarvothama brought the little girl back after they were transferred to Hyderabad. It was as if life began with a new zest for her in Hyderabad. Her brothers had got married. The kids were her best companions.  Sarvotham proved to be an ideal husband as he helped Leela with the household chores and taught the children with great enthusiasm. He would plan weekly outings for the family like trips to far off places and movies making life a memorable one.

Life hastened its pace as Leela involved herself in educating the children and caring for them. She never knew the transformation when she grew into their loving friend. Sarvotham had been selected for an upcoming project in Delhi. Leela knew that they could not move the family as her children were in the crucial stages of life. The younger ones were in the final years of schooling while the elder ones were pursuing professional courses. Money was a constraint, consequently Sarvotham felt the project was a boon to accept.  Leela felt otherwise and pleaded to let the opportunity pass by. Sarvothama was ambitious and felt the four months of the establishment of the branch would fly away before batting an eyelid. Leela was a close friend of their neighbours and the children were mature to share the household responsibilities with her. Sarvotham promised Leela to be back soon. This  variation had been the most difficult one for Leela. She felt lost as she found her children were suddenly busier than ever in their life. She could not  share her woes  with her mother who had left the world owing to an illness and her brothers were busy in their own lives.

As she stood near the window, she wished the postman would bring a letter from Sarvotham. Sarvotham initially wrote long letters every week, the kids would catch her reading and revising the letter again and again, as time went by Sarvotham’s job became a demanding one leaving no time for the family. Now the days seemed the longest for Leela. She kept up her cheer for her children. The children at times would see her loneliness and call her to watch  television at their friend’s place, but she never wanted to go there. She would spend the long days alone.  One of the days she had a heart to heart talk with her friend and understood that any change was painful yet on inspection it shows growth. She began engaging herself in her hobbies and what made her happy. She began tending the huge garden that gave the best blossoms of rose and fruits that year making her cheerful. She began involving herself in stitching, weaving and knitting. She began making varieties of pickles and the most delicious food for her children and friends. She got friendlier with the neighbours. Slowly the clouds of sorrow drifted away, making life a much more meaningful one.Before long, Sarvotham was back to Hyderabad and life leaped back to normalcy. Together they proved to role models in settling their children in their lives by helping them do their best at each stage.

Many years went by, technological changes pervaded life, Leela and Sarvotham’s children grew, settled down in life with their partners. The changes felt by Leela were felt by her children too. There were many great changes which were much more painful as the social life  had changed into a virtual life by email, Whatsapp and many more. There were greater sentiments attached and greater emotions to prove oneself for others rather than for self. The images were showy and pictures of life greatly forged There were many moments of loneliness, everything seemed same as  the olden days, yet there were differences. The children found similar transformation engulf them at various stages in their lives, but a serious contemplation proved to be an awakening. A reflection of their mother’s life made them understand to set new goals constantly with every alteration making them savour a steady learning and unlearning till the end, enlightening lessons of clinging and letting go life as needed. They understood that circumstances were similar, but the way one perceives the situation brings a freshness and newness to life like Leela’s life. Her teachings were a constant support to lead life better and encounter each change as a new beginning in life.

When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
At all times, Dare to be!” ― Steve Maraboli,