Gratitude

She banged the door loud on her mom's face and walked out with fuming anger. She was red, and out of anger, her eyes were watering too. Though immensely hurt over her action, her mom ran to convince her that she will speak to dad. Mom said that it was just a year back that she had bought that expensive mobile. Her father was reluctant because she always wanted something unnecessarily. She did not value things. When whatever you want is laid before you, you appreciate it significantly less. The same was with Sheen. She always got what she wanted. Being the only daughter of her parents, she was spoilt to teeth. Now her father had realized her arrogance and had refused to buy her a new mobile. She was so angry that she smashed the door on her mom's face. She had no guts to act so before dad, but all her tantrums were before mom. Her mom convinced her, but she was not ready to listen. She exclaimed out of anger, "why did you give birth to me if you can't bear my expenses." Her mother was stunned. She had tears of pain too in her eyes, but nothing melted Sheen's heart. She was blunt. She walked out of the house without having lunch. Mom called her out, but she never listened.

She went out to the garden and sat there for an hour. She watched kids playing and laughing. When finally, her anger had reduced a lot, she walked back to her house. But because of ego, she did not speak to her mom. She still showed anger on her face. As she sat on the balcony, she could feel a tap on her shoulder. It was of her maid girl, Mini, who stayed with them for a long time. She was an orphan and was not taken care of by her brothers. They felt she was a burden over them. She was driven away. She landed in Sheen's house, asking for help. Sheen's mom fed her and asked if she would like to live in their home. She happily agreed.

Mini had brought snacks with her. She said," Didi, mom asked you to eat this. She said you are hungry. You didn't have your lunch too." It was true. Sheen was hungry. She stared at Mini and then took the plate from her and started eating. Mini sat down beside her. She said, "Didi, don’t worry, you will get your mobile. Mom was saying she will get it for you by hook or crook". She smiled at Sheen. Sheen looked at her sharply and started eating again proudly. Mini again said, " Didi, how lucky you are. You have such loving parents who love you and are ready to do everything for you. How many people have such luck? I am an orphan. My parents died when I was young, but I am incredibly grateful to God that I found you all. How much you all love me. Didi, you walked out today with anger, and mom cried a lot. She was hurt. She was bothered that you were hungry. There was a time didi when I begged for food, but nobody cared about me. There was a time when I fell sick, and nobody even touched me. You never even utter, and your mom knows you are hungry. You fall sick, and she stays awake the whole night caring for you. Aren't you lucky? Does buying material things show their love? " she stopped. Sheen's heart squeezes, but she does not show. Mini starts again, " I may not be loved as you are, I may not be as important to them as you are; still, I am extremely grateful to them for their love and care. I see people begging on the streets and remember my old days and feel happy and grateful. It fills my heart with joy that God has been so kind to me to shelter me here." Sheen's eyes were now filled with water. She understood each word of Mini. How grateful Mini is even with nothing and how arrogant she is despite getting everything. She thanked God and runs to her mom and hugs her and asks for her forgiveness. She says, "Mom, I am grateful to you for everything. I have everything with you and dad. I am grateful to God to be your daughter. I do not want anything else. I love you."

Life is about gratitude. If we are grateful for what we have, it increases the joy of life. Always we need to see people less than us and lead a contented life.