Moments that last

Every year, Thanksgiving in the US is lavishly celebrated with friends, family and with a big feast. It might have a complicated history but the modern intention is to think of those we owe thanks to and express gratitude.It is a joyous moment to brighten up every soul. 

But sometimes life's joyous moments show up in mysterious ways when least expected. 

I remember a long time ago, on a cold winter evening in Delhi we were driving back home and the roads were foggy and crowded. As I cozily settled in the back seat, covered with many layers of woolen clothing, I noticed a barely clothed teenage boy holding bunches of roses trying to sell them to cars passing through this dimly lit street, I brought out some money from my purse and handed it over to my husband in the front seat and asked him to buy some flowers from that boy. He lowered the window, bought some, and handed over to me to the back.

We drove on and would have forgotten about that insignificant event, had it not been for what happened at the next stop light. As soon our car stopped at the next red light, the same boy showed up at the window, having run from the last stop light to this one. He had noticed that the decision to buy the flowers was made by me in the back of the car and he wanted to thank me  for the purchase but the light changed and we drove off. He made a calculation that saying thanks was more important than making the next sale to the next set of cars. He ran, caught up to our car at the next light and showed up with a big smile and a Namaste with folded hands to say thank you!

I was amazed by his gratitude and thoughtfulness and the calculation he made - that for this boy living in poverty, expressing his gratitude was worth more than making the next sale. Barely clothed in the cold, dark night selling roses to survive, he was a twinkling star in the dark night of today's transactional world. 

I was blessed with many such experiences in my life that long remain in my memory like the fragrance of wild flowers and still bring a smile to my now wrinkled face.