The friend I lost and the hero I found!

The brown checked uniforms, long ribbon tied hair, big bags on our backs, I remember the high school days so fondly. I had many friends who were just like me then – laughed loud, spoke bold, push aggressively, and connected with many. But there was this one girl who was quite, calm, introverted and timid. I am not sure how we clicked together and stayed together – we were so different, but we were there for each other always.

I spent time with her at her house, we studied together chemistry I think from a tuition teacher. I scored more marks always, she was never upset, she was happy for me always. She was quite most of the time, I did the talking all the time.

We stayed in touch for a long time after the school ended, I went to college , She got married , I went to work, she became a mother , I left home to see the world, she made her home her world. We were so different, but we were such good friends.

I think about 10 years ago, I lost touch with her, I thought about her several times, while I was sitting in those long flights travelling from continent to continent, in those waiting lounges in the airport, when I had no work in my head – I thought about her and our times together …. And I would find myself sitting alone and smiling!

Last week I found her again! A common friend I ran into in a wedding party gave me the contacts, I instantly connected with her. After our initial joy of reconnecting and inquiries into families and children she asked me what I was doing – After the career, family details , countries I lived in , the experiences I have had etc….etc( remember I did all the talking all the time ) ….. And then took the time to ask her how her life was. Didn’t think to ask what she was doing – remember I have always known her as a home maker. How different could it be now?

To my question on how is life – she paused and answered with such conviction and clarity in her voice … she said she was getting bored with life - children grown up, not needy anymore gave her more time to think and flexibility to act. Now I am curious, what is she up to? I was expecting to hear, she has started a small business or started a career etc etc….. What can the corporate mind think of?

She continued ….”I felt that my life had to be more than just cooking and cleaning, I wanted to leave a legacy that makes a difference to the world in my own small way …..” Now I am thinking, this is not the girl I know of. She sounded different, but very convincing and clear. I became curious….

She continued  “I have now planted a few trees, I am an agriculturist now, I am growing vegetables, growing crops, making my own food and selling them in a local farmers market for the people in the village”. Village? Which one, last I knew she was living in her home with her husband and son in the city. She said she has moved to a village near by and is involved in agriculture and her family visits her during week end. I was spellbound.

She said after a long time of making her home her world, she decided to give back to the world – She said, she did not have the means and did not know the ways – but she felt very passionate about gardens, crops and growing. So she took the time to convince her husband to support her dream, accept her decision and here she is with her three little dogs… in a village all by herself, planting, watering and growing the plants and crops with so much love and care. It must have been tough for her to get here. With no drama, she explained the journey she took to get here…..

I was amazed to hear the story from her…...

As I hung up the phone and we agreed to stay in touch with each other ….I thought to myself, all these days I thought I lost a friend, now I have found a hero!

An unassuming hero, the silent one, the one that finds a reason, paves a way, crosses the hurdles, ignores the ridicules, overcomes the doubts, accepts the criticism and yet makes things happen , quietly , really quietly!

For a moment all the drama, the noise around us, the big egos, the inflated self- images and the notion of what accomplishments should mean to be considered worthy of – everything meant less meaningful in front of her courage to find what really mattered and go after that quietly, really quietly.

I am so glad of the friend I have and proud of the hero I found!