Autumn


 Autumn


Nancy was rather quiet while having her breakfast. After eating, she wore her socks and shoes, and picked up her bag. She walked towards Elizabeth, then stopped and turned around. A few steps in the other direction and once again she turned back.
“Mom, will you walk with me to the bus stop?” she requested.
“Sure, my love. Why did you hesitate to ask?”
“Just, I don’t know.”
“No problem, let me just grab the keys,” said Elizabeth.

As they walked to the bus stop, Nancy still looked anxious.
“What’s the matter, Nancy?”
“Nothing.”
“Are you ok?” asked Elizabeth again.
“Yes, I am fine.”
Elizabeth put her arm around Nancy’s shoulder. “You know what’s the first rule of change?”
“No,” said Nancy. “What is it?”
“Acceptance,” said Elizabeth. “Accept that there is something that needs to be changed. Denial will get you nowhere in life.”

“You’re right. Since I woke up I've been feeling anxious once again. I don’t know why because I felt better last night after listening to you,” said Nancy.
“I’m glad you have accepted it. Anxiety, fear, frustration, may be unwanted but they exist. They are as much our own as joy, peace, or courage. So, embrace them as your own and you will notice the onset of autumn.”
“Autumn?” Nancy was perplexed. “That’s like months away from now.”
“Not that autumn,” smiled Elizabeth. “Autumn of the season within is what I am talking about. Once you embrace your fears you will notice them change, like leaves that change colour in autumn. Eventually you will shed your fears just like the trees shed their leaves. Embrace your fears and then face them head on.”

“Thank you, mom,” said Nancy. “You are a saviour!”
“I am just your mother,” said Elizabeth.
They reached the bus stop. A couple of children were already waiting for the bus. Nancy looked at them and made up her mind to talk to them.
‘Face your fears, mom said,’ she thought
Elizabeth understood what was going on inside Nancy’s head. “Go on, don’t hesitate now.”
Nancy took a deep breath and walked over to the kids.
“Hi, I am Nancy.”
“Hi,” said the boy. “I am Kevin.”
“Hi,” said the girl. “I am Karen, his sister.”
“I am new to the school and this neighbourhood. I don’t have any friends yet.”
“You can be our friend,” said Kevin.
“Yes, we can be friends,” said Karen.
“Thank you,” said Nancy. A smile of relief found its way to her face, Elizabeth was happy too.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

An Apology that Matters

Image
“I’m sorry,” said John in a baritone voice. “Along the way, you had chances to mend your ways too. Didn’t you?” “Yes,” he replied gruffly. “What’s an old man supposed to do though?” “You weren’t always this way,” he sighed. “From me to you I guess we had our share of mistakes. Will you be able to forgive me?” John sobbed like a child. “I am the one who should seek forgiveness,” he said gruffly.    Andrew was slyly watching his father through a slightly open door. Tears ran down his cheeks as he saw his father shift personalities and voices to talk to himself. “I think that’s enough,” he announced. The sight of his old father sobbing alone was too much for him to bear. “No, wait,” said the Doctor and held his arm. “Let him be.” “Can’t you see, Doc,” cried Andrew. “He is such a mess. I want to go in, I want to hold him, just like he held me when I wept as a child.” “I understand your feelings,” said the Doctor. “But it’s important to let him be. Trust me, I wil...
Read more

Welcome, Spiderman.

As the law and order situation in India and on the streets of its metros continued to remain a cause for concern the authorities decided its time to call upon an international superhero. So they managed to get in touch with Peter Parker who responded and Spiderman was on his way to India. He decided his first city would be Mumbai. His flight landed in Mumbai and he made for the immigration counter much impressed by by T2. At the immigration counter he handed over his passport to the officer who had a big smile on his face. "You and me brothers. You Parker, me too Parkar. Hahaha", laughed the officer. "Lame", Peter thought as he smiled back. Immigration done, he proceeded to his hotel. The next day as Peter was taking a walk around his hotel when he heard the cry of a woman. "He's running away with my purse", she shouted. "Time for action", thought Peter. He went into an alley and changed into Spiderman costume. Running out of the alley he ...
Read more

Best Friend

Image
Before the break of dawn his flight landed at Mumbai international airport. Naresh’s son, Vijayant, was waiting to receive him. “Welcome, dad,” he greeted his father. “So good to see you, son.” “Same here, dad. It’s been so long since you last visited.” “I love the countryside, Vijay. You know that.” “Yes,” replied Vijayant. “Come, let’s go home. Aarti and Aakash are eagerly waiting for you.” They drove out and reached home with the rising sun appearing over the horizon. The door opened within seconds of them ringing the doorbell. “ Dadu !” yelled Aakash and leapt on Naresh. “It’s so good to see you, Aakash,” said Naresh as he held his grandson in a warm embrace. Aarti walked out of the kitchen and touched his feet. “Always be happy,” Naresh blessed his daughter in law. “Thank you,” she replied. “Good to see you, dad. Freshen up, breakfast is ready. It’s been so long since we all ate together.” Naresh made himself comfortable at the dining table. “Your favourite Aloo pa...
Read more