Given life and graces along the way!

This is a usual sight in our garden when new shoots sprout in a rose bush. The dew or rain drops rest on the leaves to make the leaves appear ornamental. 

The shoots sprout because of the life in the plant. The leaves cannot make themselves ornamental till the rain or dew drops settle on them. That is what the leaves  receives with no effort of their own. 

Yesterday, I heard a friend say that he was recollecting an instance in his life when he was given an acknowledgement in his office as an example of kindness. During the lock down due to the COVID pandemic, he kept in touch with five families in this office who needed extra help with their children who required support for learning. He was publicly acknowledged for this. It came as a uprise. This surprise moment made him recall how such experiences occur now and then. 

We are given want we need. We are given what we did not anticipate. For this friend it meant a lot because his immediate superior was not so kind to him in the recent months. Amidst that strain of working under a cloud of suspicion, he was exonerated by others in leadership of his organisation.

As I watch the rose bushes with new shoots, there is a natural elegance to them when they have flowers.

Those flowers become even more elegant, when they are covered in dew or rain drops.

All these are mysteries in life!

We receive abundantly as we journey in life!

 

There are times when each of us can pause to look back and receive and remember the gifts of kindness and blessings to help us think of ourselves soberly!

What is given is what we have!  

I come to this consciousness that I am given my  life to live mindfully in self-giving! The dew and rain drops would arrive in due season! If they do not arrive, life is still a song of thanksgiving and opportunities to rejoice in seeing others prosper!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

The fragrance of a flower

During the monsoon season the jasmine plants in our garden do not have the cluster flowers as they normally have. 

I sensed jasmine's fragrance from a distance  and looked around for any flower. I had to search out a flower, which was covered in the foliage. Just one flower, but rich fragrance! 

That set me thinking. The significant role of a small solitary flower! It filled the air with its aroma. 

There is an oft asked question, 'What can one person do alone'!

I met a grass cutter who goes around in our village and cuts grass in the public places especially on either side of the road voluntarily. He does that to keep the road side safe from snakes hiding in the night. Most people in the village walk around in the night without a torch. He knowing the increased incidence of people suffering from snake bite during every monsoon season clears the grass on the road side. 

Just one thoughtful person! In my conversation with him he spoke about this with such delight  that it surprised me. With the petrol price at 100 rupees a litre now, he still does this service to the village. 

I met another young man who goes around in the village and puts off all the street lights in the village. He does not have to bother to put them on in the evening as people walking pass the place would put them on. That is not case in the morning. People living next to the electric post could actually put them off, but it does not happen regularly. The man who was doing it yesterday told me that it is the least that he can do as public service. 

The stories of one person or a small group keep coming back to me as I think of opportunities to be mindful of the needs of others. 

As I was driving back home yesterday, I noticed a young man filling a pot hole with stones  and leaving sign for people to be careful. I saw him doing this inspite of getting drenched in the rain! I offered to help him, but he did not want me to get wet! What a noble thought!

Our civil society has such well meaning people. They might be few in number, but their presence keeps us aware of the call to be altruistic!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Movement toward the edge!

Two tree pie birds perched in the same tree, moved towards the edge of the branches as far as they could go! In fact the second bird flew towards tree edge almost by choice it looks like. 

I watched this sight yesterday after hearing about Dr Anton from Madurai going to Kotagiri Mission Hospital to help with orthopaedic surgery and Dr Tony from Kotagiri going to Madhepura Christian hospital to help with neurosurgery. 

These movements which take place between mission hospitals bring a message of hope. There is more awareness about having  to give  attention to hospitals situated in the edges, where the disadvantaged people live.

The birds choose the edges in the branches so that it is easier to fly away when needed. It has more to do with self preservation. 

But what we witnessed last week with highly specialised surgeons moving to the hospitals which exist in the edges of human habitation is a wake up call to shift our attention to the periphery, where lot more is needed. 

For the first time, the NEETI AYOG has come out with a classification of hospitals by including the hospitals located in rural areas sponsored by the voluntary organisations as a special category. 

The time for leaving people living in edges of our society to fend for themselves is over. It is high time,  we bring a focussed attention and planned diversification to include the people living in the edges. They need to be made to feel that hey are worthy of equal attention. 

The Christian hospitals are already active in this movement! Three cheers. They show the way to be active in the edges for greater fullness in service.  

I am aware of a change taking place in the way the Christian mission hospitals interpret their role and responsibility during this COVID season- they are inventing themselves to be community hospitals which relate to the felt needs of the community and adapt to be inclusive in their approach. Thanks to the funding agencies who have come forward to facilitate this transformation. 

The question of distribution of resources surface in discussions more often than before now. In those discussions, I still get a feeling of urban bias. The stories of need and misery of the migrant workers which appear now and then in the media is an indication of how such desperate situations remain subdued from active attention. The bottom of the economic pyramid is so wide and dense that some tinkering here and there in economic planning would never be sufficient. 

The needs of the economically disadvantaged is a national emergency in India. It is yet to catch the attention of those who can lead a mass movement to respond to this distressing situation. 

The farmers are in the streets of Delhi for 200 days now, only a short distance away from the seat of power of the Union government of India. The government is trying to tire them out rather than hear them responsibly and willingly! What a poor testimony to the role and attitude of  of a democratically elected government! 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

A logo which reappears after 21 years!

This Logo which was designed twenty one years ago, remained with me unused. Now that the  Developmental Paediatrics and Child Neurology department at MOSC Medical College, where I work is about to enter its tenth year in September 2021, I want to dedicate this logo to the department. 

Let me go back to the days when it was designed. I wanted to create an equal footing for boys and girls knowing that parents preferred to have boys as children and girls were prevented from being born and when born families saw them as those to be given away in marriage. Girls when they grew up suffered from not getting equal opportunities in life. I was desirous to give a boy and a girl a physical posture in the logo, which would indicate a dynamic position suggesting readiness to move and be mobile into the open world of opportunities. 

I dreamt of children building the world in which they live and grow up. Adults needed to view the growing up years of children at home and a school being seminal experiences through which they contribute to build the experiences at home, school, play ground, neighbourhood and wherever they are involved. Children are the epitome of creativity,  innovation, originality, and exploration because of their instinct to observe, behold and create. 

With the blocks available with the two children in the logo they are building the globe of the world and they have arrived half way, building on what they were given to begin. They have only a few blocks to complete their turn. They have to leave the rest to other children coming after them to continue building. 

The two are situated on either side of the globe and regard the globe respectfully to which they belong. They kneel on either side of the globe to respect those millions of children, who were earlier involved in building and now leaving the space for them and others to continue. This reverential view of the task, where others were involved earlier and now given to them to be involved is a sacred expression of the devotion with which each child builds to belong to the global home. 

Every child inherits and builds on it to bequeath more than what he or she inherited. All children from every corner of the world are builders in their longing to belong to a safe global home. But the logo is constrained by a square which clearly suggests that they live and build in a confined space to begin with. It is the homes where they are born which  become the primary ambience of this building to belong. As they move to schools and  colleges they extend this building process for more children to join in to experience a sense of belonging.  

I confess that children are born into the adult's world and most of the global space on earth is occupied by adults for their pursuit of occupation and entertainment. So there is a grief all children carry that they have to stay within the designated spaces allotted to them, which is disproportionate to the number of children in the globe.

Among children of the world who are building to belong there are children form different economic backgrounds, ethnicity, abilities or disadvantages, languages, religions, way of life or orientation. They celebrate the global home they build to belong, which is theirs as much as it is of adults and other created beings. 

There is also a mystical sense to this building to belong. They come together because they are being brought together by cords of love whose origin is their creator God. 

They were conceived through an act of self giving love between their parents and womb of their mother became the home for them for nine months.  They  were in transit from the womb to their earthly home after the nine months.  From their first physical home they travel further into the expanse of their inner and outer world while continuing the journey to their eternal home. Amidst the mystery of several experiences which surround and form them, they become engaged in an inner journey towards the eternal truth of God, ever present in their lives. So they build their lives and others in their company, during this mystical journey to encounter the deeper sense of belonging to each other as humans and with God as the source of their being. They given as a gift to their parents at conception.  They have come beyond their parents although came into being through them. Is is this eternal mystery that would become manifest to them to Maken them know the larger purpose, for which they have been chosen to be present in the pages of human history for a while.  

In a larger sense children are given to belong to their parents, while they build to belong to the humanity of which they are an inherent part. 

As professionals, we are enablers for children to become aware that they already belong to their family and promote within them the calling to build to belong to the humanity, which is their home. That is how the humanity becomes a manger for all children to be born to belong! 

Let children Build to Belong ! All child development activities are to enable children to Build to Belong. 

 

M.C.Mathew(photo and text)

 

   

Singing alone to move on!

 

Most of the bird songs that I locate in our garden are from birds who are single!

It amazes me that each bird song can be heard amidst the cacophony of other birds in the morning sky.

What is in a song! A bird makes itself known through its bird song. Its species distinctiveness is made known through its singing. 

I felt moved by this consciousness while I have been through a rough and stressful terrain in my journey in the recent months. I belittled my efforts, and underscored its purpose. I had a sense of defeat after ten years of making some efforts to create a place of hope for parents and children. 

I was given the sight of some solitary birds in our garden such as the above one to remind me of bring alive to the situation and find support from others as much as it is forthcoming. Often it has been my hesitancy to solicit support and wait for it to come. Has  my impatience contributed for me to feel unsettled. 

A bird belongs to its flock. 

Every single bird is often seeking for its partner. 

Life and work become more meaningful if the ambience is constituted by like minded people by calling. 

Life is not for solo journey or solo mission! It is a pilgrim journey together with others. I get a new flavour of this through the difficulties thatI have been trough. 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Breaking in to a song!

I watched this Magpie Robin for a while one morning, perched on the top of a coconut palm about two hundred meters away from our cottage.

I was fascinated by the site it chose to be perched. It was at the edge of palm leaves. It kept moving around 360 degrees by turning its body in all directions. 

It broke in to its song at one stage and it became louder and longer. The sun was just rising and the twilight of the dawn was getting replaced by the brilliance of the morning sun. 

All of these transitions happened rather quickly. 

The bird song of the Robin was persistent and became louder. I was not able to hear any reciprocal call from any Robin.

And yet it was not a bird call for no reason. It occupied its air space with its song. 

What a thought to ponder upon!

The Robin overcame its loneliness and aloneness. Its was the solitary birdsong in the air for a while.

Sometimes we are made to go through life with aloneness as our only companion. We do not sense anything in our orbit or horizon. Even with a heightened optic, we do not receive a resonance of comfort. 

It is now about three years since I have had a feeling of being alone in the mission to create a facility for children and parents to find a place of welcome when they struggle with developmental challenges of their children. I felt restrained to move on to a direction which could have made the facility more stable and focussed. 

After a rather distressing recent months, I regathered my resolve to make another attempt. The following video-clippings we were able to make and post in the U-tube, of singing for children, parents, health care workers, teachers, bereaving families and other families came as a surprise,  indicating a recovery from a difficult period. 

Singing for children during COVID time- Series 1: https://youtu.be/1fMNug5ncyM

Singing for children during COVID time- Series 2: https://youtu.be/0xG1jJpBi5E

Singing for children during COVID time- Series 3: https://youtu.be/1Y2j_e6kZ88

Singing for health care workers during COVID time: https://youtu.be/QaHQaNAKzLo

Singing for parents during COVID time: https://youtu.be/lGlZ_Uenw6s

Singing for teachers during COVID time: https://youtu.be/mcZxF4WB7U4

Singing for bereaving families during COVID time: https://youtu.be/LRWnuy5A-0E

Singing for families during COVID time- Series 1: https://youtu.be/1g3_6rukqXI

Singing for families during COVID time- Series 2: https://youtu.be/tIvYaYT0FCY

It was while preparing to make these videos, there was a new level of communication and cordiality that evaded us for along time. 

I feel grateful to the Magpie Robing who through its bird song revived my soul to sense my own song of appreciation and hope resident in my soul after a protracted lonely experience. 

I fondly remember each of my colleagues who joined in to make this singing a gift to others. I felt they too realised that their voice would be an inspiration to others. 

I sensed the joy that was settling in their soul through this time of singing. They confessed that most of the songs were new to them. They learned by practicing. 

Now that the work place has lent itself into a soulful singing, I hope we would soon find the purpose of our togetherness and find the space around us to be more ready to welcome families for their support and revival!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

 

Along the way!

I 

I set out from home to go to the hospital where I work, 

few days back, when the sky was overcast and was about to rain. 

While on the way it started to rain heavily reducing the visibility on the road ahead.  

It was then a stanza of a hymn came to mind, 

'It's a long road to freedom,

A winding steep and high,

But when you walk in love

With the wind on your wing

And cover the earth with the songs you sing,

The miles fly by'.

To keep loving what happens within and around, is a difficult and is a trying experience. It is the Wind which carries us to keep loving. It is that experience which would allow the miles to fly by!

I confess that I am unable to love a difficult situation that crashed my hope of building a mission for the department where I work. I was confused, irritated and even felt anguished sometimes. 

At other times, what happened was, 

'I walked one morning at the dawn

When bits of night still lingered on

I sought my star, but it was gone'.

It is then we still can trust the Wind to carry us beyond our situation with a 'song in our heart and cover the earth with the songs you sing'. 

What a consolation! 

We are situationally controlled. But we are to be inwardly living. A song resides within us. The Wind raises the song to the skies. 

I shall go through dark, windy and rainy days, but the 'wind on my wings' carries me! I rest on that comfort now. But I know that I will drift again from that consciousness. That is how it will be, but good enough to trust and move on!

The Wind and the Wing need definition in our lives. 

The Wind is the presence of the consciousness of God and the Wing is the soul in which this consciousness is rooted. 

The Souls perceives the consciousness of the Wind differently, depending on the ambience of the soul. 

Humans live by being in touch with their soul, which is the filter thorough which we view and interpret the events taking place within and outside. 

We are to cover 'cover the earth with the songs we sing'. That happens when we are responsive to the Wind  in our Wing!

It is when the darkness deepens within and around us we would lean more on to the Wind in our Wing! It is a paradox. That is why God is a being larger that w can fathom, because His kindness towards us has 'no limit known to men'!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

 

 

Visibility and hiddenness !

I was drawn to the corner of our garden by two rose flowers, which looked brilliant from a distance in their peach complexion.  As I turned around before returning, I noticed another rose flower of a usual colour. It did not engage me.

But as I turned around to walk back, I noticed the two buds hidden by the flower. They were visible only from behind the flower. 

This imagery stayed with me through the day as it reminded me of a reality in life.

Having worked in six institutions during my 45 years of clinical work, I am aware of how many people live hidden under the shadow of the dominant and tall presence of one or two. Till they are around and spread themselves to live by the benefit of the skills or aura around them, others remain dwarfed or subdued. 

I have had occasions to listen to the stories of some people who felt reduced under the shadow of such tall people, who made their presence manifest forcibly or subtly to stay visible and influential. 

The quiet presence of others can therefore be forgotten or underrated. 

I too am guilty of not noticing those, who by nature are quiet or choose to function without making noise to make their presence felt. They are the core functionaries who make things happen in places of  work but do not get the acknowledgement due to them. 

The people in leadership positions can develop favourites whom they promote and underrate the others. I have fallen to this snare on a few occasions. 

How an ordinarily coloured rose flower and the two buds become ornamental in a garden as much as the two peach coloured rose flowers! Both of them have their place in the garden. 

The depth psychologist talk about confirmation bias. Most of us have an opinion that those who are visible and often noticed are the ones who need attention and promotion as they are the achievers. We who carry this bias underrate others who do not impose their presence.  

To find the worth, value and skill of each person and integrate them into the life of the group is the calling that people in leadership positions ought to carry with them. 

Some push others aside to remain visible and others feel comfortable to stay hidden. Both are extremes. 

I observed a child of three years sing a rhyme while her eight years old brother watched it with interest and hugged her when she finished singing.  I quietly asked him what moved him to hug her. He told me she was beginning to sing and needed encouragement. What a noble thought!

In our places of work, I wonder whether we can live with this consciousness of being mindful of others. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, which a college reminded me yesterday, 'What matters in life is what we do to others'!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Spring in Zurich 20 years ago!

Anna and I were privileged to know Theo and Maria and Hedwig from 1982. They lived in the outskirts of Zurich and offered us hospitality whenever we visited Switzerland. 

Our visits were often in the spring. That gave us an opportunity to see how the earth wakes up from a five month long winter to bring forth its treasures!

One sight Anna and I took delight in was the apple trees covered with their blossoms. Often there were more flowers than leaves. 

Theo with his interest in farming and gardening would give us stories and anecdotes connected with his experiences. The longer or harsher the winter is, the flowers and fruits would often be in plenty. The earth primes the plants and trees better during the extreme low temperature as low as minus 20 sometimes. 

The advantages of difficulties are sometimes forgotten. 

The difficulties are formative. although appreciated in retrospect!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

The Golden hour at dawn

The first two photographs in this show how it is when the sun has just risen. The golden hue of the morning gives a look that cannot be got at any time during the day except when the sun is about to set in the evening.  

The photos taken at about three minutes interval show the progressive change in the hue of the flowers. 

It is light which gives that added flair to the flowers. 

I resumed my travel to the hospital with this this sight in my mind. 

There is something more than what we can be, which we receive when we tend to the eternal source of our lives.  

The inner radiance we carry due the the luminant presence of God in our lives, which manifests as our conduct, behaviour and relationships. 

The darkness we carry within ourselves is manifest as jealousy, enmity, pride, assertiveness, instinct to control, dominate and rule over others, etc. 

The Psalmist in Psalm 131 confesses that he is not haughty or involved in great matters, but composed himself and quieted his soul. That is what is the first step towards inward radiance. 

To bear the radiance of grace and mercy of God is indeed a calling to all humans!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Swimming with others!

I found these three ducks swimming together! There were other ducks too in small groups. There were some who were alone. 

Some swim in life alone and others along with others. 

Alone of together is a choked we often make depending own our inner resolve. 

How does one stay in the company of others! Do they have to be alike in every way to stay together to pursue a common purpose!

I remember having at least seven different groups that I was associated with for short or long time. I do not think that I feel associated with any group now. I feel associated with a group of three in pursuing the call of integrated living. It is now thirty-five weeks since we began meeting once a week for a conversation. I am associated with just two in pursuing the experience based innovation in child development. 

Having been associated with founding of five initiatives in forty five years, I sit back to consider what forms the fabric of relational journey!

Trustful openness!

To be able to reveal the thoughts to a small group is a privilege and and an opportunity! One may feel let down sometimes. But yet, it is worth taking a risk. 

I have suffered loss due to openness, but the there have been many gains as well. 

To receive others as they are and stay faithful to them involves self disclosure, confession and forgiveness! 

I find all these difficult processes. 

However the path of pursuing a purpose in life would need collaboration and consultation. I find this possible and workable. It is as much as you give space to others in this journey, people too want to stay together. 

These three ducks maintained the distance between themselves in the order we see in the photograph, during the time I watched them.

Give space and freedom! Offer acceptance. Affirm and receive initiatives. Others grow larger than we started with. Allow them to lead when the time is ready! Launch people in to their life purposes after preparing them by being in a mentoring role for a season!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

When a pipe bursts!

Hearing the sudden noise of splashing and spraying of water, I looked outside through the window to fond this pipe gushing out water!

The plumber who came to mend the pipe mentioned that it occurs rarely!

The unexpected events take us by surprise. 

The COVID pandemic was one such unexpected event. 

The speed with who which scientific community it created vaccine and manufactures produced them to vaccinate millions globally is almost a miracle of the century. 

Th unexpected in our lives bring out the inner resolve to overcome the circumstances. Humans  discover another dimension of their capacity during such times. It is a need and a challenge which harness our resources. 

The unexpected events have a devastating effect sometimes. But the outcome can be yet another discovery of human resilience and capacity to cope!

Having spent 40 years of my clinical years with children with developmental challenges, I have been surprised by the way children overcome their difficulties and parents find ways to give them opportunities to live optimally. 

It is necessary to look beyond the immediate loss to have a view of some gains in the horizon! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

In between the rain!

 

It was a sight worth watching in our garden yesterday, during a short period, when there was short respite form rain. The honey bees were out seeking for nectar! 

The bees moved from one flower to another, sometimes returning to the same flowers later. The bees gave way to each other. I did not notice bees competing to be on the same flower. Every bee moved away to another flower when another bee was already there. This seemed to be their habit. 

This surprised me. The compulsive habit of wanting to get for oneself before others or displacing someone to be in a position of advantage, did not appear to be the behaviour trait of these bees. That is why they can form themselves into bee hives and live intimately.

The social structure for humans is to live in a civil society where we keep the common good in our consciousness.

The stories of this expression during this COVID pandemic are most touching to say the least.I am familiar with a community kitchen which functions close by to our locality. All those who need food are provided for. The migrant workers who are without jobs find this place as their only hope. 

I had not encountered people living hungry in our neighbourhood. But that is not uncommon now. 

I wonder whether the new social consciousness that is expressed creatively now would become the norm for us!

A family whom I know, has suspended all their birthday celebrations, anniversaries, etc in order to divert the money saved, to provide for families in the neighbourhood who face existential needs. 

It is a time to introspect whether we need what we possess! A person sold his SUV car and bought a smaller car,  and used the money saved to help in providing the on line learning support for children in the neighbourhood. 

A flower gives away its nectar. The honey bees gather them for others to gather honey from their hives. 

The nature around is a testimony to this giving habit inherent to all species. I wonder whether there will be more giving between humans! 

I certainly have much more than what I need. How I can overcome my instinct to posses more and give away whatever I can, has come to be my central question now, as I prepare to welcome another year in my life!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

 

Singing for parents during COVID time

A video for parents of children who have been occupied with home schooling of their children was uploaded yesterday. Thanks to the efforts of Shalini, Rainu and Liya. 

https://youtu.be/lGlZ_Uenw6s

The singing time and preparation of the video created an opportunity to remember children and parents who have been through a difficult time due the the COVID season. 

With uncertainty in the air about another wave of infection, we carry children and parents in our thoughts as the next wave could spread to children.

It is a difficult time, but hopefully a turning point in health history in a new direction! If this situation would compel the state governments to focus on more public health measures, we would be  better off. 

I feel that the health care workers have been most generous during this time, giving a full expression of their vocation by altruism and self giving. 

From being an adversity, this experience might lead all of us to a collaborative spirit and living mindful others in need!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Singing for Health workers during COVID time

Yesterday, a video of songs and prayer to honour and greet the health workers involved in COVID care was uploaded in the U tube from the Department where I work. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOG8LCwCAx0

The earlier series of singing for children during COVID times with three videos and now with this for the health care workers, we share our thoughts and regards towards children and health workers. 

The other two in this project are: Singing for Parents and Singing for Teachers during COVID time, which would be uploaded in the next few days.

I feel grateful to the professionals in the department for their interest and availability to complete this project. It is the least we can do, to be involved with others who face challenges during this difficult time. 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A teacher fades away when a student is made ready!

 

The first season of harvesting of Nutmegs in our garden is just over. The next season would be about a month from now as there were two flowering season last year, which was rather unusual. 

Anna made it an enjoyable morning walk every day to gather the fallen ones from underneath the nutmeg trees. I gathered the ones that fell on the road before the traffic started on the road. 

As we went through this exercise of gathering and drying the nuts and the maze in the sun and in the fire created by burning the firewood during night, I returned to my childhood memories, when it was my habit to gather them from the garden. 

A strange feeling dawned on me while I was gathering the nutmeg this time. 

The first picture is that of the tree in front of our house full of nutmegs in the late stages of getting ripe as thier shell had turned yellow from being green. The subsequent photographs show how the shell would open when the maize  turned brilliant red and the nut is brown in colour. 

What fascinated me was the way each the nutmeg opened into two halves, initially exposing the nut with its maize. Then it gets separated from the stalk with which the nut is attached to its shell. The nut with the maize remain held by the two halves of its shell, till a wind causes the shell with its nut to drop to the ground.  

When we gather the nutmeg, we discard the shell. The shell is put into the compost pit. I understand that the shell has some medical value.  I am not sure if this is commercially taken advantage off. The shell provided the protection for the nut and maize, which is what is marketable. It is for the nut the shell existed. 

Both my parents were teachers at two local schools. Anna and I have been teachers at four Medical schools during our forty years of academic life. Each teacher equips students to become learners and to pursue a career path. 

Every teacher over a life time of thirty-five or so years of teaching would have enabled hundreds of students who moved out into the wide world from the protected environment of a school or college. Most teachers continue in schools or colleges where they started their career. 

The shell of the nutmeg was vital till the nut and maize were ripe to be separated from it. Once it was done the shell became redundant. But for the nutmeg to mature and be a fruit its shell was essential.

All teachers need to comfort ourselves that our role is to help the students to be ready for life. When they leave us, our role is over and sometimes we might not be even remembered. But the joy of being a teacher is in seeing each batch of students leave with readiness to move on in life. 

Look at the photo of the three brilliantly shining nutmegs. 

The farmers delight is in receiving them. His labour through the year is for that. The shell is left behind and the nutmeg is ready to be sent into the market. 

I believe that some teachers stay on in the memory of students and others remain forgotten. Whatever might be the way outgoing students view us, the role of the teacher is to be a midwife to students in the formation journey of their life! We are not just knowledge providers but formators of their life at an early stage of life!

Rejoice in this opportunity to be involved in the formation of students, and stay content where we are present while the students move on! 

A teacher is a giver of many good gifts. That is his or her vocation. 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)