I read”Tuesdays With Morrie “by Mitch Albom two years ago. It is a true story of a man’s journey towards death-difficult and painful, but very uplifting and inspiring! It could have been harrowing and terribly confronting but the indomitable courage and strength of spirit that was lovingly observed and recorded by Mitch of his former teacher’s steady decline and loss of control of the most basic physical functions and the matter-of-factness acceptance of help without resentment must have been an honour and privilege to witness. May we all be blessed with such dignity,hope and acceptance of the inevitability of death.
I then read Mitch Albom’s “Five People You Meet in Heaven”.
Just as inspiring! It got me to think back in my own life and the people who had a role and had influenced me in what I am today.
I had to start with my own mother. It was only shortly before she died that I found out the horror she had endured during the war.Suffice it to say that no woman should ever suffer such indignities. Most importantly,she survived it. She had to marry out of necessity and to save her parents and brothers and sisters. At the end of the war she married my father.This time she married for love but loved too much and carried the burden of bringing up eight children. Whenever I feel a little low I only think of her and I get out of the doldrums-quick-smart!
She wanted to be a teacher but didn’t get the opportunity so she insisted that I become one.She lived her dream through me. I wanted to study law!
Then there was my first love who convinced me to study at the most selective school in the country. I had the needed school marks but not the determination to compete at that level. Love conquers all.He was going there so I did too.I lost my first love but I gained a science degree at a prestigious university.
This in turn made it possible for me to migrate to Australia as a fully qualified schoolteacher.
While studying for a Master’s Degree at Sydney University, a friend who was also doing the same course invited me to attend a graduate student’s party. It was a stormy ,wintry evening.I was ready for bed and reluctant to go but relented in the end.Lo! and Behold! This was where I met my wonderful husband(a Lecturer at a different department)who became the father of my four intelligent,beautiful and responsible children.My friend also married a Lecturer and had three children.Our husbands were friends and still are!
There are also those who extended unconditional love and friendship over the years and has continued to do so.
I even enjoyed,relished the kindness of strangers.On the plane to Sydney,I sat beside a lovely couple. We chatted and they found out that I didn’t know anybody in the country.Nobody was meeting me.They didn’t know I had very little money as well. Before we parted at the airport,this gentleman came up to me and told me “Young lady,I don’t want to go through life forever wondering whatever happened to you. You must come with us until you get a job !” He turned out to be a Member of Parliament. I lived with them.He rang the Department of Education and demanded that they give me a job since I was holding a certificate from them that I was qualified. They agreed to give me an interview and I received my appointment a week later.
My love and gratitude go to all these people.I have had a very fortunate life. There were many difficulties that I had to overcome,near death experience from a car accident as well as critics,detractors,people with malice and evil intentions.All these made me who I am today.I take the good with the bad.It makes for a well-balanced life.
I would like to thank them all. I don’t have to wait for death or meet them in heaven.I am so grateful for meeting them all on earth.
For any wrongdoings,sins of ommissions I seek forgiveness.
On my kitchen window sits a plaque that states:
I shall pass through this world but once,
Any good thing therefore that I can do,or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature,let me do it now,for I shall not pass this way again.
