I think of how it was to come back from work and lie down,when I saw in front of me a figure of a little girl rising up next to my bed. I sit up and as if in a trance, I pick up the address book and frantically search and find my best friend’s number and call.

After much ringing, a sage voice replied, ‘She is in mourning. She lost her child’.

I am shocked and sit back. A few days later I gather courage to call again and she tells me her ordeal of having to take a sick child quivering in fever to the nearest hospital. The doctor asked her to wait and she did hold her girl in her hand. By the time her turn came, there was nothing to do. The young mother shared and I listened, knowing no way to console. Our friendship of many many years had no balm just deep listening.

The vision stays with me and I cannot explain how and why this happened because I have not seen the child. It was good 10 years after me and my friend met briefly that this happened.

Loss of dear ones impact us deeply. The passing of Balraj.k left a deep vacuum in our lives. The blank space of someone who had time for everyone and was perpetually interested in our lives, my life and had time to listen everytime.

Eversince one looks to be heard, heard and finds no ears willing but then such are lessons of living.

So I listen now when I get a call, and keep aside everything and focus on that conversation from parents, child, friends because there is something beautiful about listening and being heard.

All the communication devices however faster and smarter can still not compensate for great listening, say, mindful listening.

As I learn to listen better, I remember my young teacher, my brother and his beautiful ways of showing care everytime.

So stop to sit down and listen to a dear one, anyone and you would not know what wealth you have just bestowed!