They are my siblings, my child !!!

I was a kid then. I used to get curious whenever I saw him. He was a grandpa by age but he looked like innocent & enthusiastic child. Energetic yet calm; wrinkled but a very happy face. Busy yet satisfied…

I always saw him with them. He used to talk to them for hours. Some of them were small & young, but his favorite seemed to be those who were almost his age or even elder to him. He used to share so many things with them. I had seen him smiling, laughing & even crying at times. Their chats used to go on for hours & hours. At times, he suddenly used to get up & hug them tight… A cozy hug indeed. He nurtured them, pampered them, and scolded them some times. They looked fresh when he used to be around. They used to dance on beats when he sang. We could see their response when he talked to them.

One could easily see his deep love & attachment with them. Moreover he was never bothered to express   his feelings even if people looked at him with all possible weird looks. He just would give a lovely smile to those in return. Of course who cares about strangers when loved ones are together!

Many times we friends stopped our bicycles in front of his abode & observe him for a while and we would find him lost with them. Sometimes when he noticed us, he would call us inside. We were indeed shy and hesitant to enter there. We also had our classes lined up so for couple of years we just saw him for a minute or two and leave for the classes; but we could sense our own curiosity about his inclination & love towards the elder ones.

One fine day, I gathered all my courage to ask him the question nagging me since ages. It was Saturday noon and morning school was already over. City of Pune was not so crowded those days. There were smaller roads with a little traffic during noon. The retired people & children could easily walk on roads without any fear of traffic. It was all about bicycle riders & vehicles were not so common. The roads used to be quiet & calm for the same reason. I entered the main gate. He gave a warm welcome by saying,” hey, come my child. We know each other. I see you every day when  you come for your classes here. “I was touched by the warmth I felt. I told my name and told him that I needed to ask him something.

He first offered some cookies & then allowed me to ask whatever I wanted to. Though I had his permission I was a bit hesitant to ask a direct question. So I started asking him about them. He introduced me with all of them. After some 10-15 mins, I said, “Grandpa, we have been watching you for some time now. You love the elder ones more it seems. Isn’t it?”

He smiled and appreciated the observation. He took a couple of seconds in between and then as if talking to self, he entered the memory zone. With all his love we had seen so far he said, “they are my siblings my child. My mom planted them. She had a great knowledge about gardening. She loved the nature and trees in particular. These are the trees she brought up while she brought me up. She loved them exactly like her own child. She gave me all her knowledge & these loved ones as my most precious assets. Whenever I talk to them, share my pain or happiness, whenever I hug them, I can sense her presence with us. They are my family, my small world. I may be alone but I will never be lonely. My mom and my siblings always have been & will be my support system.”

He kept quiet after that. It was quite hard to digest for me as a kid, but he unknowingly taught me to love & to love selflessly with all my heart. I have not seen him for years … but I get to meet his sibling even now. Whenever I pass from his place, I can still feel the warmth he planted & love that still can be seen on those trees. I could never thank him for the best quality he gave. All the selflessness he gave.  So a try to express the endless gratitude…. Thank you grandpa… Whenever I can love people… It’s you, your mom and your siblings who reside within…. Thank you so much.