New Year....

New Year....

My heart is very heavy today, the second day of the new year which began yesterday.  There are no prizes for guessing why. Many of us who saw the last year go by with so many challenges and vicissitudes due to Covid 19 may be feeling similarly.  Ten months of trial and immeasurable losses to life,  business , education and what not.
There were several messages for the new year and  my mind kept ticking constantly even as I read those messages and responded to them. Last year when we celebrated new year or welcomed it we never thought we would be hit so severely by a virus. We never thought our lives would change so drastically.  We never imagined city streets  would be barren or buses, trains and aeroplanes will stop flying. We never thought that cities like Mumbai would come to a standstill.
We saw many of our dear ones getting sucked by the virus, leaving us behind to face the misery of not even being able to see them before their cremation or burials.
We saw the transformation in education from real classrooms to virtual ones. We saw our kids forced to get clossetted in our houses to avoid getting infected. We saw all our senior citizens getting affected the most.
Times were tough but we learnt to manage our lives and sail through.  We put up a great front and have emerged successful in containing the virus.
We have learnt to sanitise ourselves,  wash hands frequently, wear masks and maintain social distance. We have learnt a new way of life.
This is the greatest quality of human beings, the ability to adapt, adjust and change our lifestyle.  We have recognized and reshaped every single thing including face masks to match our costumes.
This is the essence and true spirit of  mankind, eternal faith and hope.
Our hearts maybe heavy but we never lose hope, we have constant faith and belief in the strength of our abilities and till that flame is alive nothing can stop us.
Children reflect this spirit so simply and a few lines written in this context by my son, Vishnuchittan say that so beautifully.
"Tough times for you, Tough times for me,
We could hardly meet and see.
This year has been filled with adversity,
And we have waited patiently.
Although good times may be out of sight,
After every storm, the morning is bright.
A New Year brings a New Beginning,
We'll be rid of these times which are sickening,
Tired of Skype, Zoom and Google Meet,
We'll finally get to meet and greet.
We'll transition from darkness to dawn,
And the rays of hope will fall upon!"

Yes indeed....let rays of hope fall upon each one of us...Let this year be truly happy...so here's wishing us all , A Happy new year...