When the Grand-Mamma Bear is Sick
Mom was feeling sick on Friday morning last week. She has diabetes for over 10 years but has been managing it well.
“Mom, please check your blood sugar levels!”, I suggested the obvious.
The reading on the scale, as Mom held the machine, shocked the hell out of us: 534!
And that when she was still empty stomach! Mom felt worse simply by looking at that reading.
I panicked. Deepti, my wife, brings me sanity whenever I lose it (which is every time something unusual happens). I love her for that. She organized things quickly and we rushed to the BLK Hospital nearby.
Within minutes, must have been 6 AM, we were in the emergency room of the hospital. They were quick to do the required checks. Doctor advised that Mom should be admitted.
Get-One Get-One More!
Mom was in the hospital for 6 days now. It wasn’t clear when she would be discharged. While the big problems in life dance around to get our attention, life also presents some smaller, cuter ones as add-ons.
Tanav, my five year old son, hadn’t seen Grandmom for over 6 days. He wanted to see her.
Simple, but not really. They don’t let children in the hospital. But Tanav doesn’t care, “I want to meet Grandmom. Period.”
He was a bit under the weather too. Mum felt that his sickness had something to do him not being able to see her. Smiles.
Mission of the Day
I asked Tanav, “Are you up for a mission?”
“What’s that, Dad?”, he sounded interested.
“Mission Meeting Grandmom!”, I said
“Really? Can I..?”
“Yeah, but it’s not going to be easy. You have tried getting in the hospital when Sohana, your sister, was unwell. They didn’t let you in, remember?
“Yes, I remember.” he said with a straight face.
I prepped him up which brought back the smiles.
What’s a mission which is easy. Kids understand that better than us adults. Tanav was super-excited.
Try, Try, Try Again…
Deepti tried to sneak Tanav in from the attendant elevator.
That didn’t work. “Children are not allowed to use the attendants lift.” Wisdom words (as if we didn’t know).
Deepti is a rules person and easy to be said NO to. Except, of course, when I am the one saying NO. She will argue that I am no better than her in this regard.
One starts to see things differently when the motivations behind the mission are strong.
Tanav and I walked towards the patient elevator.
I noticed something about the way Tanav was walking. A very confident gait! I would have let him in, had I been the security guard. But that didn’t impress the officer on duty.
“He is going to see his new born sister.” I tried acting smart knowing the birthing suites were on the same, 4th floor.
Guard’s reply was, “Congratulations! But I need to see Doctor’s permission letter to let him in.”
I changed stance, “Please, he really needs to see his new baby sister.”
But, that didn’t work either.
We tried to take the stairs but no luck.
Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.
We decided to go to the Front Desk Manager, Mr. Jitendar. I told him the truth and asked for permission only for 15 minutes.
There’s something about speaking the truth – it works!
Mr. Jitendar started writing a note and I heard him say, “I can only let him in for 5 minutes.”
Well, we happily accepted what we had got. Hi-Fives followed Thank yous!
Tanav held that note proudly, like a valued possession. He showed it off, even to those who didn’t ask for it.
I let Mom and Tanav have some time together. Seeing them, I realized that the efforts we’d put in were so worth it.
You won’t always have the power to make life fair, but you always have the power to bring some smiles.
What is Your Life’s Calling, Today?
Mom is fine now and back home. Thank you, God! And this episode has taught me a lesson.
I used to wonder what my calling in life was. I have learnt now that it’s okay to just know what life is calling for me to do today. As long as I act on that, I am doing my duty. That, at least until I find my true calling.
So, what is your life’s calling? .. Oops, I mean: What is your life’s calling, TODAY?
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