Saturday Soliloquy - Accepting a tragic event is one thing… Turning it on its head as a Celebration of Life is Another!

Sashi - Celebration of a Life

Meenalochani & Sashi

I had known Sashi (moon in Sanskrit) for a long time. Sashi - my school and college friend Meenalochani’s younger brother. I had met him a few times when I have visited them.

Visiting Meena - Meeting Her a Bonus

As an FMCG salesperson at the beginning of my career, I had continued to visit her residence. Made easier because I had a ‘beat’ (specific area/ market work routine) which was near her place. Though Meena would be away from home for her post-graduation studies, I visited her mother.

Chai Pe Charcha (Conversations over Tea)

She made a great cup of tea. The well-read lady also enlivened the visit with thoughtful conversations. Sashi would not be home those times, attending the school for specially gifted children. Down’s Syndrome necessitated that.

Life Happens

My own efforts at post-graduate education (night and weekend classes), relocation to a distant suburb meant that I lost touch with Meena, her mother and Sashi. Life happened.

Big Sister & Mother

Thanks to modern communication mechanisms we are now connected. I came to know of her mother’s demise. Also that Meena had immediately taken Sashi under her wings…, to the US in the 2000s. Taking on the role of a mother even as she was building her own family of three kids with her dream husband, Supportive Sundar.

Peaceful Passage into the Beyond

A few weeks ago, Sashi moved into the hereafter in his sleep. He had been fit and active. All the regular tests that Meena had been doing indicated all was well with his health. A big surprise for the family and friends.

What Sashi Taught

Even as Meena, her husband, their kids and their extended family cared for and loved him, Meena believes it was Sashi who inspired her and others around to be better beings. Sashi’s ability to forgive (after any argument or disaffection) and move on… his tendency to embrace and offer his bonhomie to everyone around with enthusiasm… have encouraged Meena, beyond herself, she avers…

Sashi Influences Caring, Sharing

Meena amidst her professional and personal work is also a volunteer for some causes. I am more familiar with her efforts to impart financial literacy for women. Folks in her circle of LinkedIn would know that already.   

Consciously Showing Compassion

When we learn to actively show Compassion… consciously looking out for the needly/ vulnerable around us… making some lives a tad easier with simple acts of thoughtfulness… (without any external/ ulterior inducement), we may also feel Gratitude slowly seeping into our hearts.

Gratitude Follows

Thankfulness for all the blessings we are fortunate to benefit from, being in the blessed situation we are in, being able to help others a little less fortunate. Vice versa too. Being consciously grateful for our situation also helps us be kinder. Each feeds on the other. Ask Meena.

Who Helped Whom - A Conundrum & A Celebration of Life!

As Sundar beautifully said during the funeral they are not sure who helped/ cared for whom… did they help Sashi or did Sashi help them become better humans with his forgiving and zest-for-life nature! Finely (fine- Sashi's favourite response to enquiries) summing up a Life, a Celebration of Life!