When the word birthday comes in our mind, we think of cake, parties, gifts from family, friends, outings and lots of fun. Oh how can we forget so many phone calls, e-mails, facebook comments and sms’s on that day. They are an important part of birthdays these days.
My birthdays have these all. For me, my birthday starts with mom doing “aarti” for me followed by my grandparents giving me blessings and gifts. My dad and sister are busy arranging small family get-together in the evening, booking the cake and inviting close friends and relatives. Since last 2 years, my husband makes sure he wishes me first with the most innovative way he can which has added to the special things my family does for me.
However, this birthday had something special in it. It was a special gift that came as a surprise and also a teaching.
The day was passing as planned with loads of wishes coming from friends, relatives and all. Mom had cooked my favorite food whereas dad had bought a gift that I was waiting for since many days. It was just a “happy going” day for me. I was out for shopping in the evening with my husband picking up some dresses for me (on this day, he never says a no to anything, so I had to take advantage of it 
)
On the way, we decided to go to the temple in laxmi road. After all the shopping, we entered the temple and were taking blessing of god to make our life happy and give us strength to overcome all hurdles.
While we were praying, we told the “Pujari Ji” in the temple that we would like to do special offerings as it was my birthday. He smiled and accepted our request and allowed us to do so. We finished all the rituals we planned and were heading for home where party was awaiting.
At that moment, pujari ji called us to his home, which is upstairs to the temple. We were little surprised to hear that. Though we knew him for almost 6 years now and share a good relation, he had never invited us to his home ever. With a little surprise and curiosity, we agreed and went to his home.
His home was a small room with basic things required for cooking and a small temple in home. His wife, a very simple lady with a soft tone, asked us to sit and offered tea. We were amazed to see the generosity shown by them. Pujari ji informed his wife that it was my birthday today and hence we had come to perform special pooja.
On hearing this, his wife took a set of bangles from her cupboard and gifted them to me. These were green colour bangles that are worn as a part of our culture. I was so surpised to see that. The feeling they had while giving that gift, and the blessings they had for us, even though we were not their family, touched my heart. I knew that for their family, gifting bangles to someone was also not that easy.
In todays world, when people are so busy with their own life, their own circle of people, this was a great experience. Today, we connect with people mainly when we have to work together, when we need their help and when there is a particular need. Very rarely we would find people, who maintain relations with selfless feeling. This couple was one of them.
I was really moved by this experience.
I think we need to learn this from our earlier generation on how to maintain relations, how to connect with people out of our circle, how to give happiness to others going out of our way and not at all showing it off.
A Silent Self Wave.. 