“A Thousand Thanks!”
By
J.L. Gupta
Yesterday, as the
clock ticked 12 mid-night, I had completed my journey to the 72nd
milestone on the road of life. Today, the travel towards the 73rd has
started. In anticipation, my brother and his wife had given me a book with the
following post-dated note: -
“Tough times do not last, Tough people
do. May you go on for ever.
Happy Birthday.”
Balram Shashi
22.1.2014.
A
little peep into the recent past appears to be apt.
On July 12, 2012,
when I was already on the wrong side of 70, the neuro-surgeon, Dr. Rana Patir
had announced that my brain was still growing. “There is a tumor and it does
not look too good. Seems to be of an aggressive kind. The size appears to be
6cm. x 4cm.x 3cm. It cannot be allowed to remain and grow. It needs to be
removed at the earliest.” ‘Could it be
Glio Blastoma?’ was my query. “Oh yes. Probably, it is. Such tumors have a tendency
to grow even after surgery.”
Surprisingly, I
was absolutely fine. Totally relaxed. I told the surgeon –‘Do not worry. All
shall be well. Do your best. Remove everything that looks bad. Together, we
shall make history.’ Nevertheless, my problem made the last two years tough for
the family and friends. Full of turmoil, this has undoubtedly been a period of
trial.
I shall be less
than honest if I do not acknowledge that the entire family faced everything with
a rare fortitude. All stood together like a firm rock. They made everything
look simple and small. Never allowed even a whiff of hot air to touch me. They
were one in affection and effort; courage and conviction; perseverance and
prayers. The family made the home a heaven. The friends prayed continuously. And
along with the family, they created a protective fortress around me. All gave
me happiness and hope. They tried to convince me that life is worth living. There
was a lot that remained to be accomplished. All combined to ignite in me an
innate desire to face, fight and conquer. And He has been very kind. He gave me
the strength to remain completely calm and cool, happy & hopeful. In the
hour of peril, He blessed me with the power to remain positive. No negative
thought ever crossed the mind. In the worst of times, I was sure that ‘It is
just a temporary phase. It shall pass soon. Ultimately, all shall be well.’ And God has
not belied the hope. All has been well. And, I am confident that it shall
continue to be so in the days, months and years to come. I am firmly of the
view that a strong will power changes the body’s chemistry, produces the right
combination of enzymes and helps the body to combat and conquer the problem.
Thus, I have gone
through the surgery, radiotherapy and then the cycles of chemotherapy. Some of
these have produced certain side effects. Yet, each and every procedure has helped
me to get rid of the bad, remove the unwanted, and then, recoup, recover and
restore the body’s functions to the level of normalcy. Can I ask for anything
more? No! I should only count His mercies!
And, in all humility, I offer a thousand thanks! To Him for all His Mercies.
And to YOU ALL – my Family & Friends! For being there. All the time. Every
moment of the day and night. For all the affection, concern and kindness! For really
holding me close to your hearts. For always making me feel loved and wanted. My
heart-felt Thanks!
Phuphaji, we have to thank you a thousand times for being such an inspiration for all of us in the way you have dealt with life's adversities. The family is indeed united in prayer for your well being. What is however amazing and incredible and without parallel is the cool calm composure with which you have dealt with the problem. I have no doubt that you will make History and we would all have been a little part of it.
ReplyDeleteMany many happy returns of the Day. We all are thankful to god for this day, for on this day He brought you into this world and subsequently into our lives. We pray to Him to give you all the joys, happiness and peace. God bless you and the whole family.
ReplyDeleteOn this day as you jump into your next year of life, it seems that you are younger than what I remember. Blooming, vibrant and full of life. Who says that you are getting older. You can still beat anyone of us youngsters in your zeal for life. We are definitely not a patch on you. Hope to imbibe your spirit in our lessons on life. Having such an example before us, we are sure to succeed.
ReplyDeleteIF---
ReplyDeleteIf you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
And make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream and not make dreams your master;
If you can think and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose,and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings- nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And- which is more- you'll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling
Happy Birthday to THE MAN who is effortlessly the essence of all this and even more- to the Man I am honoured to know and love !
Dearest Phuphaji, we all look up to you , you are our role model. You have no idea as to how many people get inspired looking at you . I haven't seen another one like you. We all wish on this lovely day , that may we all keep receiving your guidance and love throughout our journey of life. Your ardent admirer, Leena.
ReplyDeleteSomeone once said - your spirit is your only shield. In your case, it's not only your shield but also your weapon! Together with your mind, your spirit has worked to sculpt the perspectives and outlook of your extended family. Your spirit shines through all of us. May god make your physical being as eternal as your spirit.
ReplyDeleteUncle, Happy Birthday once again. One could not have heard better news in the new year than what is conveyed in your latest blog. Your courage, grit and determination is truly inspirational for each one of us.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Uncleji and many happy returns. Mashaa Allah. Please keep on amusing us with more of your interesting and thought provolking blogs for the next 72 years.
ReplyDeleteJai Hind and shub kamnayain on our Republic Day.
Glad to know you have one firm family to support you. Family is the singular, most valuable unit of every society. Happy belated birthday and remain blessed. Cheers...
ReplyDeleteDear Uncle, Happy Belated Birthday. You have been an inspiration always and continue to be by being so positive in your difficult time. Hats off to your loving family who have stood like a rock. I believe in the power of positive thoughts and there are so many prayers and loving wishes coming your way. Surrounded by love and good wishes, you will keep going from strength to strength. Amen!
ReplyDeleteDear Justice Jawahar Gupta , Since we have been traveling we have been out of touch and only read your inspiring birthday message today.May the time ahead bring you and your wonderful family every happiness.
ReplyDeleteSavi and Bonny Sodhi