Leaving and Arriving

Anna and I left  our jobs at PIMS on 31st August, where we spent two years. Let me share something about the last five days.

We lost the inter net connectivity as our land line phone was disconnected in preparation for  our departure. It took away one of the usual ways of being in touch.

Many friends dropped in to say farewell. There were good wishes communicated through cards, personal visits and telephone calls. In fact even at 12 noon when we were getting into the car, there were visitors, reminding us of the several memories we have of PIMS.

The loading of our luggage in to the truck was easier than we thought as there were many people present to help. 

The students in small groups kept coming almost till mid night the previous day and later in the morning. Anna had prepared a CD of photos of different social occasions we had at home and surprised the students with a gift of a copy, to each of them.

Even now, our internet connection is weak that photos cannot be uploaded to the bloodspot. I was not able to access the blogspot for the last 4 days.

How do we arrive after we leave something behind! It is a good habit to recollect with gratitude. Anna and I made several telephone calls to remember people who were part of us. We had sent a common letter of appreciation to colleagues and others.

It is good to continue recollections and reminiscences to fill a vacuum, which may be created by leaving a place, friends and attachments. 

Arriving in a new place and setting can be frightening,  intimidating or unsettling. It is important to fill one's mind with pleasant memories to undergird our mind and free it from an state of anxiety.

The losses can be too many when we leave a place; the arrival in a new place needs to give us hope about several gains awaiting us.

I like the way a child who left his school after eight standard, described, it, 'the latter days will be better than the former'. It gives us a sure sign of hope.

M.C.Mathew