Guest blogger Nischala Murthy writes

My first real memory was not of her, but of her mother. A beautiful lady with the most beautiful hair I have ever seen – It almost went up till her knees. We studied in the same school. I was aware of her presence possibly because she was one of the prettiest girls around. However, probably not the closest and greatest in my circle of friends. An occasional exchange of pleasantries, an occasional squabble, an occasional exchange of words, an occasional giggle,….. was all that we shared.

My first solid memory of her was when I met her after her father’s death. We were all of 15 years old. Losing a parent at that age was not something that I could ever imagine. So a couple of friends decided to meet her to pay our condolences. We had the most somber looking expressions when we went to her house. Honestly, we did not know how to react. And there she was – So calm, So composed, So normal and also So warm & pleasant when she received us. We were shocked. We wondered how she could react so maturely at such a young age. And that left a lasting impression in my mind. Anyways, after that we all went our own ways.

Fast forward 13 years during which there was absolutely no touch, no contact, nothing said, nothing exchanged. Thanks to technology, we were able to re-connect.

I really can’t recall how and when we really started talking. Looking back, I think it was when I was going through a personal crisis myself and could really use all the support that I could get. I really don’t know why she helped me. But she was there for me – In her own way. To lend a ear, To lend a hand, To lend a shoulder, And To lend an advice – And I valued what she said then and I value it even now. Simply because, I needed it the most. And that’s true for anything in life – We value things (even the smallest of them), if we get them when we need it the most.

Several months later, when I was in conversation with her, I learnt her life story. It covers every element of tragedy which one can possibly imagine – Death, Loss of loved ones, Critical illness, Financial worries, Family distress, Loneliness (and that’s sometimes the worst!) and Professional woes.

And in spite of it all, she’s one of the most positive people I know.

Someone whom I will always admire…

For her grace
For her sincerity
For her confidence
For her zestful ways
For her lively spirit
For her sense of style
For her helpful nature
For her hard-working ways
For her kind and caring ways
For her strong and sensible ways
For her practical approach to life
For her desire to learn new things
For her beauty (both inner and outer)
For her sheer will-power and determination
For the dignity with which she conducts herself
For having found the strength to “let-go” of the negativity and bitterness of the past

For the last several years, she has been a part of my life in her own way. And I do look forward to exchange a word, a thought, an emotion with her. And also to share special moments of my life with her.

There are some unique bonds which we form with others simply because you go through similar life experiences especially the trying ones – Like a critical illness in the family, The loss of a loved one, Financial loss, Unemployment, Death, Illnesses, A difficult partner, An unreasonable boss, A complicated client or customer, A complex family. And I’ve realized that these bonds always last the longest….

And here’s what I wish for her – professional success, fulfilling relationships, financial stability, lasting friendships, no tears, many laughs, new passions, dollops of hope, rainbows, dreams fulfilled and all the joys and happiness in the world!