I was supposed to write this in August, the month of
friendship, but somehow couldn’t do it, anyway.
My cousin “Minu” gave me a book “The Ultimate Gift”. Some of
you might have read it; there is even an English film based on it. It is a
wonderful story about a young guy “Jason” who inherits ten gifts or say ten
lesson from his uncle “Red”. One of the
ten gifts Jason receives is “The Gift of Friends”.
As Red rightly said “friend is a word that is thrown around
far too easily by people that don’t know the meaning of it. Today people call
everyone they know their friend”. Red gives Jason a task to find out the principle
that underlies true friendship. The principle underlying friendship, Jason
could think of is, it involve loyalty, commitment and a process that include
sharing another person’s life, it is difficult to put in words but only with an
example that Red shared with Jason.
Once Red gets very sick and his kidney needs to be replaced.
Sadly they can’t find a kidney donor. Red Stevens almost lost hope till someone
offers his kidney. It was his friend Mr. Hamilton. Jason moved by what his
uncle told him. Red Stevens adds that not all friends can do what Hamilton has
done for him. Red found ultimate gift of friend who can even shred a part of
body to save one’s friend.
I closed the book and took a dive into overflowing wave of thoughts.
A scanner started scanning my all friends. Wow what a wonderful friends I have.
Friends who cares, who advises, who are multiplier of good times and divisors
of bad times, who strengthen me indicating my strength, who put me on right track showing weakness,
who are always there when I need them. Fun time needs no invitation when they
are around. They are my guide to some most magnificent eatery of the town, a
superb companion who doesn’t need Ajinomoto to add a zing to food. Nautical
miles are always short to keep our friendship at distant. Though I got a small list of friends but a precious
gift I will treasure all my life. It’s you!
Ok to give you a hint of my friends, a friend with whom I
talk almost every day, friend without whom our ‘dil chahata hai’ ‘tikadi’ (trio)
is incomplete, Mr R, friend I got from Mahur, un-saint friend, a bold lady
friend, pj friend, friend with whom I like to go on lunches, friend in US who knows me
better, friend in Germany who do not miss a chance to encourage, a ganapati
visarjan friend, a friend I meet occasionally but who always brings me an ear
to ear smile.
Scanner revealed some precious jewels, but point in question
is who can take place of Mr. Hamilton for me. Immediately it showed face of my
brother. Unquestionably! After my father he stepped into his role but more so
as a friend. Most of the times, we see our thoughts rising on two poles of earth,
but definitely he is the sunlight enabling fruition of my life.
Delighted with result, I asked scanner to check jewel box, do
I have more than one Mr. Hamilton. Going back and forth scanner stopped at one
face, for sake convenience let’s name him as Mr. R. I always have lots of
complaint against R but I could understand why scanner stopped here. R
understands me so well that I can open up myself without any need to prove me.
But there are few incidents which I believe put R in the position of Mr.
Hamilton.
I was on one of my initial bank audits in another town. They
(bank) wanted to impede scrutiny of books so started harassing me. They started
putting undue pressure to complete audit in 2 days which was almost impossible.
I needed someone who can help me out of situation. I inquired my other friends
but they were busy in their own audits. Losing all my hopes I asked R if he can
come. He instantaneously realized my situation and came with next available
bus. It was a kind of life saving help. We could finish our work properly
within time. In another incident I caught chickenpox just before my final
exams. It became certain that I will miss my exams. R suggested me to give
exams whatever may be the situation. He stayed with me during this whole
period, encouraging me all the time. My
attempt was not successful and chickenpox trapped R also but he never regretted
his action. There are many other incidents where he showed his support with all
“Tan, Man, Dhan” which I know was the
reason for scanner to stop on R.
All the way we need not only the moon but also stars to get
the directions in darkness of night. I’m
very lucky that sheet of my life is studded with stars along with some
moons around. But greed to have some more moons never get settled, could you be
the one?
*****
As informed you earlier this brings the end of first season
of my blogging. Sooner or later will try to bring you season 2. Thanks for
visiting my blog, sharing your thoughts and encouraging me.
Cheers!
Mohit
