By: Shazia Yousuf
I happened to browse through a photo album of a relative recently posted on face book and got to see a few faces after a very long time. It was quite pleasant to be able to see them after a long time. Flash backs took me down the memory lane.I remembered those times when one of the uncles in that album was young and energetic. He was dynamic, and would take charge of every event in the family. His management was well known and his extremely good planning skills made all family occasions turn out to be perfect and dot on time! He had no formal degree of MBA or even management as such, yet his management and planning was no less than that of a formal degree holder.
Looking at his pictures brought tears in my eyes. His frail, old visage, with an innocent blank look in his eyes, reflecting questions unanswered, showing defeat and surrender. His inability to communicate what’s inside, all his emotions locked up within his bosom, everything so totally devoured by the Alzheimer’s disease. Once a symbol of strength, now a spiritless soul!
His pictures made me realize how insignificant Man is in the bigger picture painted by the Divine being butMan knows not!
Man feels so helpless at times…
I have seen helplessness quite closely, when my father was breathing his last few breaths. I knew the consequences, yet there was nothing I could do! The only thing possible for me to do was to surrender to the Divine will. Maybe that too to console my soul that it was the Divine will. And now all we are left with are memories.
But I have realized, these memories are an asset. The words, the actions and the deeds all leave an everlasting impression not only on those who are near and dear but all those who interact on a daily basis, be it the driver, or the gardener or the person who supplies water. The souls that these great people have touched will leave an everlasting impression in the hearts and they will live there forever!
Looking at life from a broader perspective, I have come to realize that what we are doing is not what we are supposed to be doing! The focus should be on making impressions not anywhere else but on the hearts. Our deeds should stir the souls!
People shall come and people shall leave, but what will remain are the footsteps on the sands of time.
Very well written Shazia. Its been something I've been struggling with for a very long time - wanting to get out of this rat race but not knowing how. These days its one day at a time trying to be honest, truthful, patient, compassionate and wise and failing at all of the above. Please remember Taha in your prayers. All the best, FS.
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