That Special Gift!
- Ralph
- Dec 7, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 5, 2024
I have come across some #specialchildren, be they #slowlearners, #autistic children, #dyslexic children and children who are perfectly “normal” but are #introverts. I often wonder what their parents must be going through. They must be special people, to look after such #specialchildren.
It probably takes a lot to be such a parent.
Having seen such parents, I guess that being a parent of such a child probably means
Watching your child wait for evening playtime – and waiting eagerly by the door or more important, by the intercom, to hear the bell ring. And learning a lesson forever – that silence is not golden.
Knowing that your child is not included in the friend circle – and watching your well-behaved child accept it, without telling you or your better half. You see the child carrying a lot of pain within and trusting only one God – the parents – who for the child, are nothing but one entity residing in two bodies.
Knowing that your child yearns to play, has tremendous energy within, and an urge to be with the others – but is not given a chance and summarily dismissed. And knowing that your child’s longing looks as he eyes the cricket ground, where his so-called friends play, hide a dream and a pain.
Walking past a coochy-cooing collegian couple, as they seem lost in their mesmerising world, and knowing that your child will never ever experience that joy. You are aware that your child’s longing looks as s/he passes by such couples is not lust, but a yearning for companionship and simply to be accepted.
Watching your child at family weddings where everyone is in a jovial mood, backslapping and raconteuring, as their children yap with each other while your child quietly sits a few seats away – confused, ignored and lost.
Knowing that your child will probably not be called to the party, and that the best way to wangle an invitation for your child, into such parties, is to send an expensive gift through her innocent hands.
Watching your society/club/community’s event organisers calling out names of the children who will perform various roles in the annual day play – while your child’s name never ever appears in the list. If the society people are mature, they might just give a token role – and in the process probably boost the child’s morale for years to come.
Knowing that while you are away at a meeting, you have left an already lonely child to a world that for her, is devoid of pleasure.
Knowing that even the few who are good to that child, are okay because the interaction is for a few minutes, or maybe a few hours. And is because s/he is your child.
Having been through all this, you have one major concern in mind as you lie awake, work, sleep or laugh – who will be with this child, after you are gone.
You have probably woken up at night, in a sweat – after seeing a dream of your child being alone, being bullied or not being able to look after himself/herself.
My message to you – don’t despair. Your child was sent with a purpose. Probably the world needs some such #specialchildren. Children who later on in life, are not corrupted by thoughts or experiences of money, lust, greed, jealousies, and happiness. Probably – they are on that last leg in this entire journey of birth and rebirth. That last phase – the ultimate test – before they are given the glorious role of watching over all of us, and protecting us.
Surprisingly, this is one adversity, where you have never ever asked God - “why me?” The only thing you have probably repeatedly asked is “why him/her”.
There was a reason why HE chose you.
HE knew that there was only one set of people who HE could trust to look after His #specialchild. A child who is on her/his last leg to glory. To Nirvana. And that person is You….
With the greatest respect and admiration for all such parents, I say that you have been specially chosen by God to look after His most special creation. Stay blessed!
A note to all other parents
We all probably have friends, relatives, neighbours, or even office colleagues whose children might be in a similar situation. Let us, internally and quietly, resolve that we will do something for their children when the parents are not around.
Let us teach our children that inclusion is a kind of a prayer offered to God. Let us, by our actions, give these parents some hope – that the world does understand after all, and that they will be leaving their children to a world that will look after them or at least, not shun or ignore them.
We really don’t know what these parents must be going through. Let us learn to include – for we never know what journey we will be taking or what kind of help we will be needing, in the life hereafter.
Stay Blessed.
P.S. Do share this as much as possible, if you think it will resonate with some of your friends and acquaintances.
note - these are my perceptions - and I may be completely wrong.
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