Patience is a virtue, we hear growing up but putting it to practice is a true test of our learning and maturity.
Small and large checks of our endurance come our way regularly.
From work situations to the personal front- we learn and experience the multiple merits achieved via some deliberate acts of slowing down and embracing patience.
Showing random acts of kindness towards strangers is a hallmark of my mother, that I did not always understand or appreciate fully.
She said, “The impact of small acts of care towards a few, translates into a large one like each one, teach one.”
On this mother’s day-I share my poem on learning the virtues of her random but deliberate acts of patience and care while going for walks with my mom.
This poem also has a universal message of the need of emotional caring for seniors in our society by not just family and caregivers but by society at large.
Going for a walk with my mom was not easy,
frequent stops of hellos would make me dizzy,
I wondered why she would smile at so many,
time is also a precious penny.
Now I understand why she stopped to greet,
For many, her smile and hello was their daily treat.
She understood—old age is lonely and hard,
not many halt to say hello in the yard.
Now, I understand why she was perky and patient,
my perspectives on life were naive and nascent.
Sharing concerns are what make us humane,
though, chides during youth were in vain.
Now, I understand, life is more than chore(s),
I too, will grow old and perhaps ramble and bore,
narrate old tales, health troubles, and older lore,
others too will be interested in other things more.
I too will wish someone would stop and talk,
smile and greet me and ask about my walk.
I too will wish someone would not be in a hurry,
stop, smile, and speak and not want to scurry.
Also published in American Kahani:
https://americankahani.com/perspectives/walking-with-my-mom-learning-the-virtues-of-random-but-deliberate-acts-of-patience-and-care/
Rhythm & Rhyme 