Family sans Frontiers

"A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses."

I thank God for blessing me with the best family I could have. They are good Samaritans to whoever is in need.

This is a story I would like to share, about a pleasant little holiday surprise we all had at our home.

My wife one day noticed my son and daughter acting strangely. They refused to let her go anywhere close to their nanny’s room. Our nanny was from a poor south-Asian family and she was there for several years. She assisted us to bring up our children with great love and care. My children have great respect for her, like they do for my wife and myself.

That day, my wife was quite amused at our children’s behaviour because she could tell that they were trying to play a pleasant naughty trick on our nanny. It was their vacation days and she let them have their own fun, but could not wait to part-take of the secret that would unravel, when our nanny would return from her church rituals. I too put aside my work in the study because I admit I too did not want to miss the action. It is always interesting to see the spontaneity in little children, to see how they make good of the resources, available to them.

Finally, our nanny returned from church and was making her way towards her room. Interestingly, the children did not stop her. Suddenly, we heard a joyful “oh wow” from our nanny. When we rushed towards Kathy’s room, we were all pleasantly surprised by what we saw. Our two children, one of my sons and daughter had decided to give our Nanny “The Best Christmas Gift” ever. It made me very proud of my kids that they could come up with such an innovative idea for their tender age. They not only decorated her room with Christmas goodies but gave it to her in style … way beyond their age. With his natural talent, my son had made a serial light connection work in such a way that when Kathy opened the door, it lit up the room to reveal the beauty of the Christmas-ee feel inside. I thought it was such a spectacular scene, that no words could describe it.

It was the best Christmas Gift Kathy was ever given, she told us. She burst out in tears of happiness, embracing our children.

That day, my children gave me too, a Christmas gift in that surprise, showing how they have been reflecting to the world the sentiments of family ties, which we have brought them up with, by caring for humanity even beyond caste, creed or race. I felt I must share this story to everyone out there, especially with loved ones living far away from family and friends, that they can seek solace in the thought that we can find friends in just about anyone who cares and who is a kind human being.

Our family is still in touch with Kathy who is today reunited with her own family in her country, often remembering that Christmas day.

Written in honor of one of my mentors in December 2008