June 8, 2012 was the most dreadful day in my life. The day started as
usual at 5:45 a.m. with my usual kitchen work and cooking for the
family. Then came the phone call from Chennai that my father, who is an
extremely active and spiritual soul, had passed away that morning in his
sleep. It was so shocking and sudden that I had to rush to the airport
along with my two kids.
I was in a state of confusion and panic. I managed to get three
air tickets for a flight to Chennai at the airport entrance. As I stood
in queue for the boarding pass, there was an old man who was also
travelling to Chennai. He was right behind me in queue. I noticed that
the old man was struggling to follow directions. So my kids and I waited
for him. It happened just with an eye contact. No words were spoken at
all. We walked slowly along with him to the seating area. He said he
wanted to go to the washroom and asked us to wait with his small bag and
we did that. It all happened so naturally.
We then waited for the flight and not a word was spoken at all. I
was still in a state of shock and was not even able to cry. We boarded
the flight and landed at Chennai as per schedule. We didn’t carry any
checked-in baggage but we noticed that the old man was again confused as
he had checked-in luggage. So my children and I waited with him for
the baggage and then escorted him to the exit.
It was then that the old man beckoned and blessed me and my
kids with showers of blessings in pure Sanskrit phrases. I was
overwhelmed and couldn’t stop crying as I ran towards the taxi area to
run home and attend my father’s last rites. As Sai devotees it is
natural to love and serve all. But that day, I realized the power of
service even when we are at the weakest situation of our lives.
~ Shoba Rao ~
(Story from Radio Sai)
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