I grew up in a British boarding school in the foothills of the Himalayas in India, spending 13 years of my life in those mountains. I lived and studied in that environment, 300 miles away from my home and family, 9 months a year till I was 18.
As a young boy I sought the maternal security I desperately needed and craved, and found love and kindness from some of my teachers. One such special individual was Sister Thappa, our nurse in the school infirmary.
She was kind, loving, nurturing and a “mom” to a generation of young boys. She was a simple lady who grew up in the mountains — the hill folks (as we affectionately called them) had a simplicity and rustic charm that was earthy and genuine. She learned to speak English “on the job” and even though she was not as fluent as the British head nurse, her inspired local dialect was a rave among all of us.
Today, I got her number and spoke to her after 35 years to wish her a happy 80th birthday. I told her it was “Rusty” calling. She hesitated for a moment, and spoke to me with affection, not connecting the name with a face. And then in a flash her voice lit up — as I am certain so did her eyes — and she said “The Naughty Boy??” She reminded me about the many times I got in trouble and we spoke at length catching up on 35 years of lives lived on different continents. I told her that I loved her and was surprised by the emotional rush that I experienced.
I realized after I hung up the phone how much I had missed her over the years, and my deep sense of gratitude and love for a lady who loved a generation of boys as if they were her own sons. Even though we live in a violent and messy world, the kindness of the human spirit shines through. The irony, is we sometimes rely on the compassion of strangers and form life long bonds that don’t dilute with time.
As you reminisce about your past, and think of that special person who touched your life, pick up the phone and call them. You will be glad you did.
About Hemant Rustogi
We all spent our most beautiful part of life in sherwood. sister Thapas smile,love affection is still fewsh in my mind. I wish her good health and happiness for many years to come. Ujjwal is my face book friend and keeps. My memories fresh of the Thapas.
so did Gopalji 2 days back and she instantly said “Gopalji Mehrotra?? dadi aur maa kaisi hain ‘ and then a long endearing conversation between the two….it’s good to remember and keep such bonds intact ..they fill your heart with happiness and love 🙂
hi hemant.i was at sherwood and do appreciate all what u blogged about sr thappa.regards.d ray(all c 62-63,os 64-73)
“Beautifully penned !! Pick up the phone and call them” – I went a step further, I visited the Gardners – Mr.Jeff & Mrs Ruth Gardner at their abode in Dehradun in June ’12 ! What a moment it was !! Met them after 46 years !! The twinkle in their eyes when they meet us/speak to us is worth thousands of happy moments ! Hemant is abs right, Dont ever miss the chance of speaking to your old Teachers/School staff if you get a chance ! you’ll be missing something if you do !
This post hss revived fond memories of not only Sister Thapa,who is a wonderful soul, but all those great techers of Sherwoid whose memories still stay with all ex woodians of that era.Can we say the same for the present lot??
we had gone to meet sister thapa during 2005 get together, my friend salauddin khan from Rampur was with me, sister thappa saw him and said salahuddin roll number so and so. salahuddin was so touched by this he had tears in his eyes, he said even his parents wouldent have remembered his roll number, and sister thappa had remembered after seeing that boy after so many years. I remember seeing her between 61-68. she was so full of smiles , a bounching lady, a second mother to all. it brings us to mr thappa, he would make us do the morning p.t. then would announce who is kick it the khud the football. and we would all laugh.