Teach Me Half the Gladness, That Thy Brain Must Know

Shyam Nadgonde

We three were very close mates and quite often we used to spend our evenings together.

One was in his late forties and had already undergone two by-pass heart surgeries. At the time of second Bye-pass the Doctor warned him of the serious consequences after surgery, but also expressed remote hope that it may bring him a new life, if all goes well. He told the Doctor that quality of life is more important for him than the life itself.

The other friend was very worrying type and would get upset with even little variation in his blood pressure or sugar levels. He would intermittently have them and that would cause lot of concern. He would expressly say what would happen to his family and young kids if something wrong happens to him. To which the first friend would say, why should you worry so much for what is bound to happen someday. Because someone would cry tomorrow, why should you stop laughing today, and then he would burst into thunderous laughter. I never saw him worried on account of his health and he enjoyed every moment of his life despite the deteriorating condition.

About a year went by… he had a massive heart attack and passed away. Till the last evening he was with us in his full spirits and as usual was in a jovial mood.

His memory vibrates in our hearts, fills us with sorrow, but the next moment reminds us of what he believed in and said. We immediately get rid of the negative incline, and it ends with a little smile spread along our face. And we pray in Shelly’s words “Teach me half the gladness, that thy brain must know”.

 

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