Today, I called to wish our former school nurse, who turned 85. The tears flowed easily, as we spoke about the good old days. I have not seen her in 40 years. Spoken to her just once in all those years. Yet the bond remains. My love for her, and hers for a generation of us boys, is special even today.
She was/ is, a simple lady who grew up in the hills. No pretensions. No agenda. Not a conniving bone in her body. Just an earthy authenticity, coupled with thousands of hugs for us boys who grew up far way from our families.
Why is that our distant past, comes front and center, in a heart beat? That young boy, that was me, is so far in the rear view mirror, yet he still sits quietly, deep in my psyche. People like Sister Thappa, have the uncanny ability to bring that young boy back to life. That’s the beauty of our past experiences — they define us for who we are today.
About Hemant Rustogi