Nothing can be as refreshing as getting up early and watching the sunrise. With the fresh breeze brushing against your face, birds flocking the sky, the sun rays beginning to fill the earth the unmatched happiness that you receive.
Thoughts began to flood my mind. I thought of my Saviour. His love that crossed the borders. No thought is so wonderful as that of my Saviour. Where would I have been if it wasn't but my Lord. I would be in the streets empty-stomached. But the Lord was too gracious to me. He thought of saving this wretched fool. He blessed me abundantly. Blessed me beyond measure. Lifted up my head and raised me to the position that I wouldn't even dream of.
With a thankful heart I started my day. Got ready for my daily work. Humming my favourite song, I watered my plants and made breakfast. My day has started. With a beautiful note. Today I went even earlier to the bus stop (well, that is something that doesn't happen very often.). Got into my bus, found a window seat and started watching the road. Everything seemed to be moving backwards. It was like rewinding.
The green trees that lined both sides of the road. The autumn leaves were seen everywhere. Kids were playing on the roads. Farmers were on the fields sowing. Youngsters were playing cricket on all the empty plots. Girls giggled on their way to the college. All those happy faces maximised my joy.
A sharp cry from the back seat brought my thoughts back to the bus. A cute little child was crying. Babies are always so amazing. They melt even the stone-hearted. The entire bus was lively. A group of women were gossiping about some celebrity. A gang of boys at the back was making fun of their teachers. A nun sat in front of me saying some prayers with the rosary. An uncle with a big moustache was reading a daily. Another two uncles sat discussing politics. A little girl was playing with a Barbie doll. There was also a marriage crowd. The marriage season in India had just begun. The women were brightly dressed in silk sarees (the traditional dress of India) and their heads covered with flowers. Some boys were standing on the footboard. (They think its cool. Once again that is something that they learned from the movies.) To spend the peak hours in the bus, all these things are very common.
Apart from all this, music was banging from the bus speakers. Some song from the latest movie released. India has a great craze for movie. The conductor was shouting for tickets.
There was an old lady sitting at one corner not taking part with the rest of the crowd. Something in her resembled my grandmother. Nobody wished to sit near her. She was all alone by herself. A big basket sat in front of her indicated that she was a fruit seller from the nearby town. She awoke my sympathy. So I got up and sat by her side.
She looked at me with a smiling face. In a few couple of minutes we were chatting like old pals. She shared with me her story. Here it is in her own words.....
''Its really rare to see girls like you who are willing to sit near an old lady like me. Your parents have brought you up well. I am very unfortunate. I'm very afraid that I didn't bring up my children very well. I should have taught them how to care for their parents in their old age
''God is always just. He repays everyone according to one's own actions. He is now repaying for what I did in my youth.
''I enjoyed my youth without taking care of my parents. Now, I am reaping my own deeds back. I never helped any old person. I lived as if I was never going to age. I enjoyed my childhood so much. In my youth I worked hard and attained a position that was impossible for my parents to even dream of.
''I had a life without lack. Had a wonderful husband. He passed away just a few years ago. And my strength is failing me now. My children refuse to take care of me. Even my own grandchildren hate me. I have become a burden to all. I still have to work for every morsel that I eat.
''With nobody to hire me now, I took up this fruit basket to earn my living. Nobody should come to my state. My daughter-in-law refuses to feed me. And my son always leans to her side. He never thinks that it was I who educated him.
''I feel left out and unwanted. Please bring up your children in the best way. I hope you will do so.''
I felt sorry for the old lady. I spoke a few words to her about my Saviour. And promised that I will pray her. Just then my bus arrived at the stop and I got down with the thought how blessed it is to have a wonderful family.
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