Joy came visiting

One of the few visitors, staying overnight with us recently at our cottage was Joy Thomas from Brisbane. Anna and and I got to know Joy when he was a student at the Christian Medial College, Vellore in the eighties. Joy moved to Australia about ten years back where he is a specialist in Maternal and foetal medicine. Joy and Grace (they are a Christmas couple) and their three children, Mohit, Vineet, and Roshni have been our close friends with whom we have regular contacts.

Joy came to see us in our new setting at home and work. It was an effort for him to make this trip, as he has had a lot to do during a brief visit to Bangalore to prepare his mother to accompany him to stay with him in Brisbane. Joy bid farewell to his ailing father only three weeks back. His mother was still in a bereaving state.

It was during his visit we realised how the physical inconveniences we have in our cottage least affected him. He made himself comfortable and made us feel at ease. One of the things that we recollect of his visit is the way he took time to listen to how we are adjusting to the new place, job, relationships and attending to the needs of my mother. He had enough space and thoughts for us. 

It was stimulating to listen to Joy, when he gave a talk to the faculty and students at the Medical college, where Anna and I work, on 'Fetal therapy'.It opened our eyes to sense the high technological approach he uses in his work to make the foetal period of babies optimally well by different therapeutic interventions. In spite of the high profile work he does, many commented about his humble and gentle disposition. 

His visit and encouragement meant a lot to us. There were times when we felt bereft of visitors and friends, since coming to live in Kerala. He lifted our spirit and made us feel connected with others. 

Thank you Joy for being a messenger of love and affirmation.

What lasts in relationships is memory and recollections! It will be even better if we can let a friend know how much that friendship means!  

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)