14th February

Her eyes I still remember. Two glowing eyes, greenish in color, held inside a body that would be around 6 years of age. She had made a move to hug me but something kept me aloof. I kept my hand on her head as if giving my wishes to her; she accepted the blessings from her elder. And I moved from there after that. Later realizing what I had done.
I had gone to a Family Contact Centre here in Swindon on Saturday. It was advertised that volunteers are needed in Child Centre and those interested may visit the local branch office. During my visit to the centre, I came to know that a Child Contact Centre is a meeting place where children of separated families can enjoy contact with one (or both) parents, and sometimes other family members, in a comfortable and safe environment where there is no viable alternative. Well, I wasn’t much happy to see the kind of job I was being offered. But somehow, I gathered the basic details and then made a plan to make a move. Before I could I move, I recalled I had carried some chocolates in my pocket for children whom I expected to see there. There were no children but only volunteers who were aged 60-65, I offered them few chocolates. Before they could eat those chocolates, this girl appeared from nowhere. She was then followed by her younger brother perhaps and father. I was told that this divorced person was there to meet his children who were living with their mother. I offered one piece of chocolate to Elizabeth, the girl I mentioned earlier. She in thanks made a move to hug me but something kept me aloof. I kept my hand on her head as if giving my wishes to her; she accepted the blessings from her elder. And I moved from there after that. Later realizing I had missed an opportunity to reciprocate a sincere feeling of nothing other than love.
As I was moving away from the Centre, I was being reminded of my act again and again. How could I un-see an act of sincere love, which a small child was eagerly waiting to share?
However the story doesn’t start here. It probably began when I was born. Since then I have been continuing to do similar acts. For reasons known or unknown, I have missed many opportunities. Opportunities to offer my love for the people whom I have come across. Opportunities to reciprocate the love that others have given me. As people around waited for 14th February to express the love for their beloveds, I too was waiting to see if I can think of at least 14 people whom I have loved sincerely from the core of my heart since I was born. I fail to do so. Where every one’s expectations are for love thy neighbor, I am still trying to love the ones who have entered same roof. Seeking your blessings, to be able to sincerely love those around.