In my journey of of life I have witnessed many ups and downs. Good things make me happy.At the same time I don't brood over incidents which are not favourable because I know it will pass. There are many occasions when I feel depressed, but it does not last long. In every one's life such moments come when you feel elated for no particular reason; when even insignificant things become memorable and leave an everlasting impact .
In India we have so many people who work in our houses doing every thing from cooking, washing utensils,washing our clothes and ironing.them. They are there to sweep the house arrange our beds, clean our cars etc.. In fact every job from A to Z is performed by them. We hear from relatives and friends settled in many other countries that no help is available to undertake domestic responsibilities. It is due to poverty they are compelled to perform even menial jobs. In our house also we are fortunate that we have people to work for us. It is our responsibility to be thankful to them We have never treated them as menials. In times of their need we are always supportive to them.This is perhaps the reason that they respect us. I don't remember that any servant left our house due to any differences or misunderstanding.
We celebrated our golden jubilee of married life four years ago. We gave gifts to all the servants a day or two before the actual date. On the morning of the that day,I noticed some whispering going on. We could not decipher what was happening. I told my husband that they may ask for a raise in their salary. As usual we sat for breakfast. We were in for a surprise! Before breakfast was served, all six of them entered smiling , wished us happy anniversary and presented a bouquet of flowers to me I was very much moved. It mattered so much for us. This gesture moved me. Sometimes smallest things take up the most room in ones heart. This is what precisely happened to me. This incident made so much room in my heart that I can never forget!!
Prompted by Corinne Rodrigues Write Tribe Promt # 7 The smallest things.
In India we have so many people who work in our houses doing every thing from cooking, washing utensils,washing our clothes and ironing.them. They are there to sweep the house arrange our beds, clean our cars etc.. In fact every job from A to Z is performed by them. We hear from relatives and friends settled in many other countries that no help is available to undertake domestic responsibilities. It is due to poverty they are compelled to perform even menial jobs. In our house also we are fortunate that we have people to work for us. It is our responsibility to be thankful to them We have never treated them as menials. In times of their need we are always supportive to them.This is perhaps the reason that they respect us. I don't remember that any servant left our house due to any differences or misunderstanding.
We celebrated our golden jubilee of married life four years ago. We gave gifts to all the servants a day or two before the actual date. On the morning of the that day,I noticed some whispering going on. We could not decipher what was happening. I told my husband that they may ask for a raise in their salary. As usual we sat for breakfast. We were in for a surprise! Before breakfast was served, all six of them entered smiling , wished us happy anniversary and presented a bouquet of flowers to me I was very much moved. It mattered so much for us. This gesture moved me. Sometimes smallest things take up the most room in ones heart. This is what precisely happened to me. This incident made so much room in my heart that I can never forget!!
Prompted by Corinne Rodrigues Write Tribe Promt # 7 The smallest things.
It is very true, when we treat the people who help in our everyday life well, they also show their affection, love and respect to us by doing a good job. They are also happy and we are also happy.
ReplyDeleteI also have a very good maid, and two watchmen, they look after our house as if it is their own house, they are so attached to us and to the house.
My maid loves to present us something during our wedding anniversary, and our birthdays too.
We too are lucky in having trustworthy people working for us.
Though left to myself I would love to do all the work myself. For almost 20 years I was happy doing all the housework by myself, of course with the help of my husband.
Such a nice post. It is these little things that makes our days so livable.
Thanks Rama. These people do so much for us.We must strive to keep them happy.
DeleteYour humanness, your understanding is what comes back to you as love :)
ReplyDeleteBe you Usha, it is people like you who make Earth a better place each day..:)
Welcome to my site!! Your kind words of appreciation are very sweet. I am moved! I will visit you soon.
DeleteThat was such a heartwarming gesture from your helps. True, such gestures do mean a lot! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Shilpa .I look forward to comments from you.
DeleteVery true Ushaji, a few smiles and kind words is all it takes to make the world a beautiful place:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Reshma. A word of praise makes these people happy.
Deletewhatever we give comes back to us multifold..
ReplyDeleteWelcome Renu. You are right.A word of approval and appreciation is sufficient to keep people smiling.
DeleteTouching indeed! Every human values kind gestures!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rahul! Nice to see you visiting after a long time.A word of appreciation is always welcome.
DeleteYes Rahul we must acknowledge their gesture. Where were you last few days?
DeleteTrue madam,however small one may be in money or power,one deserves dignity and respect.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarala. We must reciprocate their feelings by appreciating their action.
DeleteBeautiful and heartwarming post.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Sulekha. Thanks a lot for your words of appreciation.
DeleteYou know this is such an interesting post especially for a Western person like myself who also lives in a third world country for part of the year.I actually gave up my house and donate d all the contents to Charity there last year because I could not find the reliable help that I required to look after the place to my standards when I was away and it became too stressful...so now I stay in a hotel. In the west labour is expensive so only the very rich can afford cooks drivers cleaners etc. I must say I enjoyed having all that help but I like the contrast of having and not having. I worry that I will become too soft.I like your snapshots of Indian life,it's like going on a travel tour. I am so pleased I can finally comment on your work.
ReplyDeleteHi Rallentanda. Happy to see your comments. I know that in western countries you cannot hire domestic help as in India. My grand daughter is in US.She tells me that Indians do not understand the valuable help that we get so we have become lethargic. We on our part must give them the regard which they deserve.
DeleteHappy to know about you through your comments. Bye.
That was incredibly sweet of them. Same is true for my family too, on my wedding one of the best gifts was from my help. I address her as didi and I wept when I opened her gift. It was so thoughtful of her.
ReplyDeleteHi Saru. Such gestures are really moving. Missed you last many days. Hope you are fine.
DeleteIn this commercial world of ours, it is good to see such good gestures towards domestic workers. A lot of families that I know will happily exploit laborers and domestic workers, though it has become lesser now.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Thanks for the visit,Rajesh.You are right. this class is widely exploited.
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