The presence

The teacher was taking the roll call in the classroom as usual.

Each time, whenever my turn came, I would get up from my seat and say, loud and clear, present!

I liked doing this every day! During those innocent school days, don’t know why, but this small activity gave me a feeling of accomplishment, a boost of instant energy!

Later on, as life progressed, the word presence or the feeling of being present, made me realize its presence in many different ways.

Once, it so happened that we had decided to sell our family car as it had reached the end of its life.

As all of us took a final ride of the car, surprisingly not discussing our journeys we had in the car and talking about random things.

At the end, for me a short ride, we all got out.

As the rest of the family was joyfully taking photos with the car,

I disappeared back into the house and cried my heart out. I just couldn’t bear the idea! The car travelling by which we have had so many good and happy memories, was no more?

But this car was just a machine. Right? Then why this emotional attachment?

I think the habitual presence of the car being always around, it’s assured presence in life, without ever realizing that all this could change, may have built my connection with it?

Friends. Isn’t this even more true when it comes to living things in our lives such as pets, people around us and even relationships?

Life is made up of this presence. Through the presence of people.

During our birth, the presence of our mother is all that we care about and want in the world. Throughout much of our childhood, the presence of our parents and family reassures us, creates an affectionate atmosphere and even protects us!

During our school/college going days, the lucky presence of friends becomes more important.

As we grow onwards, this presence changes and takes up many forms.

The presence of some is purely for our or the person’s benefit.

It often happens that we become happy and welcome the presence of some people and things, whatever the situation be.

Sometimes, we absolutely dislike or hate the presence or vibe of some and then,

There are some, who’s presence, irrespective of there contribution in our life, becomes irreplaceable.

To such people, it’s very important that we create an opportunity to appreciate them. And of course, be thankful about their presence, for we don’t know and can’t predict when this wonderful presence will fade away from our life

Be it in whichever way, this presence is very important, especially when it comes to human relationships.

The Face-to-face communication plays a huge role in any relationship. Is having meetings outside or lunch/dinner always to taste good food? Show off the money? Is traveling always a reason to spend money? See and experience things? No. Sometimes, it’s to build relationships with business partners/clients, colleagues, to enjoy the presence of family, friends and sometimes, one’s own unique presence.

Human relations are formed on the foundation of and require the fuel of this presence. It isn’t compulsory that one should interact physically every day, but a call or a text is enough.

Meeting or being present in the life of those you care for at least once in a year, is essential to maintain a relationship.

And this is exactly what the world has experienced during the Covid 19 pandemic. More than the health risk, it was the uncertainty of not being present to experience the tomorrow, losing the presence of our near and far ones.

Therefore,

We should never take the presence of anyone and anything for granted and always feel blessed for each presence which we experience.

Friends, thank you for gracing this discussion with your beautiful presence!