From time immemorial, we have tried to define what love is. Love in all its forms and types have remained a mystery forever. An eternal mystery it is that holds us in awe. Poetries are written, stories are told, wise words are said. And yet after all these, the feeling continues to remain under the veil. From when we first hear or read about it in our school days, to the first time when our heart beats for someone else, to a lifetime spent together in love, we feel it, live it and yet are not able to describe it. We all simply indulge in the feeling, and somehow just know that it is there. And in simple little gestures we know what love is…
It was a nice pretty day. I was walking to my usual bus stop from work, the one a bit further. I always go to this bus stop on my way home and enjoy the little lazy time walking to it. I get a traffic light on my way, and I am never in any hurry to cross it. I never run across in haste before it soon again turns red or even when the road is empty. I like my minute wait for the green light while I observe around me, people, cars, the sky, and just let the minute slip away. The crossing is not crowded, and it is generally only a couple of people or even me alone. And yet, sometimes I stumble upon little incidents that stay in my mind. Like I saw this old couple that day.
As I was waiting for the light to turn green, I saw a very old couple slowly approaching the crossing from the other side. They were slow, dressed in those old styled suit, dress, and shoes. The grayish brownish hues of their attire reflected their ages. It would seem that they were alone, in a state of despair. However, it was not so. They were alone but not lonely. They needed support but not hope. The old man supported himself with a stick, and the lady supported herself on her man. And such a lovely couple they made.
As they walked forward with little weak steps, their face glowed in a sense of pride and content. The man I am sure was no more proud the day when he had for the first time asked his lady out than he was that day. The lady, I can imagine, had walked down the aisle with the same steps of trust and confidence. The air of happiness, satisfaction, hope, confidence, and pride around them was telling their love, care, respect and trust. They maybe are alone in life, but the fact that they have each other made them glow in happiness. As they took those little weak steps together, it was not merely towards a home but towards something more. They were still walking towards a future together.
Every day we see around us young people meeting each other and falling in love. They weave together little colorful pieces of dreams and hopes. They look forward to the days to experience and enjoy together as life unfolds and dreams are fulfilled. They have a lifetime in front of them. They have something to look forward to, to hope for, and to dream about. They radiate this love and hope all around them, and look forward to a future. As they stand there holding hands, they have in front of them a future to make together. And then, life happens.
Years pass by making little stories. Dreams get fulfilled, and some ends in tears. And then again they see a new dream together. Holding hands, they walk the path of life. The love gets deeper and the hearts happier. They look forward to each new day as they looked at the future on the first day of their togetherness. But slowly these days of future turn gray. The little dreams of future now turn into memories of past. The love, kindness, happiness, trust still remains there. And it deepens. There comes the content and satisfaction of life spent in love and togetherness. But somehow, those hopes and dreams stop to exist. There are still little wishes and dreams, but for children, grandchildren. Those little wishes they had made together are now just happy memories of past. Suddenly they are left with no dreams for themselves together.
And all these I was thinking looking at the couple at the crossing. And I realized once more what love is. As I hold hand of my partner, we look forward to a lifetime together that is yet to unfurl. We look ahead to a life together of love, happiness, trust, little dreams, and big wishes. And then when I look beyond that, as green days turn gray, I still see myself holding his hand, just the same as I do today. We will still be whispering a new dream together.
The light turns green and the old couple takes a step. A contented step together towards future, happiness and some new little dream. One more step of love..
It was a nice pretty day. I was walking to my usual bus stop from work, the one a bit further. I always go to this bus stop on my way home and enjoy the little lazy time walking to it. I get a traffic light on my way, and I am never in any hurry to cross it. I never run across in haste before it soon again turns red or even when the road is empty. I like my minute wait for the green light while I observe around me, people, cars, the sky, and just let the minute slip away. The crossing is not crowded, and it is generally only a couple of people or even me alone. And yet, sometimes I stumble upon little incidents that stay in my mind. Like I saw this old couple that day.
As I was waiting for the light to turn green, I saw a very old couple slowly approaching the crossing from the other side. They were slow, dressed in those old styled suit, dress, and shoes. The grayish brownish hues of their attire reflected their ages. It would seem that they were alone, in a state of despair. However, it was not so. They were alone but not lonely. They needed support but not hope. The old man supported himself with a stick, and the lady supported herself on her man. And such a lovely couple they made.
As they walked forward with little weak steps, their face glowed in a sense of pride and content. The man I am sure was no more proud the day when he had for the first time asked his lady out than he was that day. The lady, I can imagine, had walked down the aisle with the same steps of trust and confidence. The air of happiness, satisfaction, hope, confidence, and pride around them was telling their love, care, respect and trust. They maybe are alone in life, but the fact that they have each other made them glow in happiness. As they took those little weak steps together, it was not merely towards a home but towards something more. They were still walking towards a future together.
Every day we see around us young people meeting each other and falling in love. They weave together little colorful pieces of dreams and hopes. They look forward to the days to experience and enjoy together as life unfolds and dreams are fulfilled. They have a lifetime in front of them. They have something to look forward to, to hope for, and to dream about. They radiate this love and hope all around them, and look forward to a future. As they stand there holding hands, they have in front of them a future to make together. And then, life happens.
Years pass by making little stories. Dreams get fulfilled, and some ends in tears. And then again they see a new dream together. Holding hands, they walk the path of life. The love gets deeper and the hearts happier. They look forward to each new day as they looked at the future on the first day of their togetherness. But slowly these days of future turn gray. The little dreams of future now turn into memories of past. The love, kindness, happiness, trust still remains there. And it deepens. There comes the content and satisfaction of life spent in love and togetherness. But somehow, those hopes and dreams stop to exist. There are still little wishes and dreams, but for children, grandchildren. Those little wishes they had made together are now just happy memories of past. Suddenly they are left with no dreams for themselves together.
And all these I was thinking looking at the couple at the crossing. And I realized once more what love is. As I hold hand of my partner, we look forward to a lifetime together that is yet to unfurl. We look ahead to a life together of love, happiness, trust, little dreams, and big wishes. And then when I look beyond that, as green days turn gray, I still see myself holding his hand, just the same as I do today. We will still be whispering a new dream together.
The light turns green and the old couple takes a step. A contented step together towards future, happiness and some new little dream. One more step of love..
the plastic life has dumped its burden on us in such a big way that people lack the observation beyond materials......sometimes however even if it does show its presence somewhere within us, it fails to knock the saturated brain!!! ver well written! so simple yet such a dignified observation. most importantly i give credits to your thoughts...
ReplyDelete