By Pradeep A. Shah
Chartered Accountant
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When I ring up any of my grandchildren, Jaanaki, Nishant or Yash, the conversation ends with my saying “I love you”. Invariably the spontaneous response I get from the other side is “Nana, I love you too!” Though this message is not really necessary, I must confess that it is comforting; it is reassuring. It is good to know that your grandchildren care for you and are deeply aware of your love for them.
I got one such call recently. When I finished the call, I started thinking. I was thinking about myself and my response to people, when they convey to me that they love me. Their love was being taken for granted by me. Their loving action, caring behaviour went unacknowledged. Great opportunities of making others feel happy were being lost by my just not expressing gratitude for the love and kindness received from them on so many occasions. I failed miserably in this test. Their goodness was being taken for granted. I took it as part of the other person’s duty to love me, to be kind to me and go on bestowing happiness on me, without my even acknowledging the same.
Though I am late in doing this, I take this opportunity to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have contributed to my happiness; be it my family members, my parents, my relatives, my friends, my partners, my professional colleagues, my staff members, my articled students, my teachers, all my seniors in the profession, my co-workers, people who have been working shoulder to shoulder in the work of helping the poor and the needy; but for whom my life would not have been so joyful, so rich in relationships and always full of fun and happiness. These are the people who have added colours to my sunset sky. I thank them all for being a part of my life and contributing to my happiness.
I also thank those who have delighted me with their wonderful songs and music which has enriched my life and made my cup of happiness overflow.
My thoughts travelled further and went to the One who always helps me and all of us, day and night, 24×7, unflinchingly, whether we deserve it or not. He helps us even when we have been really bad and are not deserving. Apart from not thanking Him, I did not even recognize His presence! Yes, I am referring to God, to whom we owe so much and seldom express our gratitude. He is the one who looks after us so well, cares for us, gives us wonderful gifts, but hides Himself from us. Lines of a beautiful song sung by Mukesh come to my mind (I request the reader to listen to this and the other song I have referred to).
There is another unforgettable song of bygone eras, which the older generations may remember with nostalgia. This one is sung by K. L. Saigal, the all-time great singer.
How do I thank the One who hides Himself, is never seen, but who always takes my care? One good way would be to remember Him everyday when I open my eyes in the morning and tell Him “Thanks for another beautiful day, I love you”, and also when I go to bed by acknowledging “God, I thank you for one more wonderful day.” May be, I shall then be able to hear Him saying “My child, I love you too.”
But I believe I can do this better by expressing my love to all His creations, by leading an ethical, principled, value-based life, being of help to others for the rest of the life, by wiping a tear and bringing back a smile on those who are needy and poor. This should be the path I must follow. Will you come with me on this path?
I would end with this beautiful quotation:
“Late have I loved thee, beauty so ancient and so new, late have I loved thee! For behold, thou wert within me and I outside; and I sought thee outside and in my unloveliness fell upon these lovely things that thou hast made. Thou wert with me and I was not with thee . . . . .”
