Realizations

Realizations come only in an extremely emotional state of mind e.g happiness, sadness, loneliness. 

This year I had to go through one such phase. My father had to undergo complex heart surgery. The process was extremely frightening and tiring. Seeing the first superhero in one's life, in agony is extremely heartbreaking.
There is nothing nice in this process, it tests all your limits. You are thrown in the roller coaster of emotions. 

I met several people who were struggling through the same phase. Each one had a loved one battling for life, alone in ICU, in critical condition. None of us was allowed to see the patient in critical cardiac ICU.

There was even a small baby whose parents were holding on to each other as their tiny baby was being treated. I thought that was the maximum grief one can have. But then there was also an ailing husband, wife, father, mother, brother, sister etc. Every relation that was important, loved and cherished. But that did not break their spirit.

This time in life teaches a lot of things. You start rethinking about your perspectives in life and about life in general. These are a few realizations that came to me in these difficult times.

You are never alone in sorrow, so don't stay alone in happiness.
"Happiness multiplies when you share and grief is divided". This saying holds true. So often during this time these strangers have stayed up all night and prayed with me, cried with me, shared their food, bed and so much more. They helped us go through this moment and stay strong.

[  ]People are more important than any valuable materials that you possess.
We naturally look upon our family members and friends to help us go through the difficult times. These have stood like a rock behind me when I was crumbling inside. Some of these friends hadn't even met my father. I received messages and calls every now and then, saying its going to be all right.  I can't thank all my friends and family enough for their support.

[  ]Financial stability is not optional.
Although you stop being materialistic inside, you realize that there is no option to money. Everything comes with a price tag. Better medical facilities, hospital rooms, medicine, doctors, the list can go on. So be "rich" before becoming philosophical.

[  ]Forgive and just let go.
While sitting outside the critical ICU unit one realizes that life is like a switch. Switch off and you are gone. No grudge is worth taken to the grave. Every mistake is forgivable. Remember once this switch goes off nothing goes beyond that with you. It takes a big person to ask for forgiveness and an even bigger one to forgive.


[  ]Life prepares you for everything it throws at you. 
Always remember every intolerable, idiot, egoistic person you have met. Every crappy situation you have been into always makes you strong. If it doesn't defeat you it only makes you strong.

Having said it all I would like to mention that my father is recovering well now. He is getting better by the day. Thank you for all the support and all the prayers.

By

Jaee Palande 

Stuttgart Germany.