Sister Thappa – The Other Mother – A Repost from the Archives

Originally posted to my blog on September 26, 2013, this still rings true today:

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.