Kya Jeena Isi ka Naam hai?

This past Sunday ,heard a sad news when I called home.Our neighbour for the past 25 years ,expired..May his soul always rest in peace.

My parents were reluctant to break the news to me,as I was the closest to Uncleji.But I pestered them.Was shocked,distressed and heart broken.This person was the kindest,most honest and hardworking man I have ever known.He had been friends with my Dad for close to 35 years.They went together to office each day untill they retired....My dad lost his best friend.

Some people are destined to live a life full of hardships. They have very few needs and yet life makes them work hard for even that.He would get up very early,clean their courtyard,pray and do so many houehold chores.He was constantly on the go, constantly active.

Each day he would share whatever flowers he had with him with us for the prayer.I remember so many days in times of some emergency, we could just knock on his door at any hour of the day or night and he would not mind.He taught me to drive a scooter( I was too scared to learn from my Dad)

Each year we looked forward to the time of Ganesh festival.They would bring Lord Ganesh home and we kids would be yelling "Ganapati Bappa Morya" as he walked with the idol into their home.

Times changed, we grew up and started moving out of home for work purposes and my contact with him was reduced.But each time I visited home I would find him smiling inquiring kindly about how I was doing.

Retirement brought some financial troubles for him.So he started working again at someplace else for a small salary.I had seen signs of a deteriorating health then. The fair skin and good built gave way for a frail structure.He was constantly worried about some thing.His son was involved in some fraud and had a lot of money to be repaid.On many occasions he poured out his heart in front of my Dad.

People in India are obssessed with sons.Quite an irony that his son was the cause of so much mental stress to him

He passed away after a disease.Quite in keeping with his nature, he worked even the day before he was admitted to the hospital.An operation was tried ,which did not work.

The night I came to know, images of him flashed through my mind. In all of them he was his usual self,smiling.I am grateful that he could bless me after my wedding.

Uncleji,I really hope your soul rests in peace.You deserved much more than what life dished out to you.I will remember you often.Please continue to Bless me the way you always did.