Fond Memories

It’s been 18 years since you’ve gone but it always feels like yesterday. Each year I gain more strength to face this day and every other day without you. 

Today I won’t talk about how I miss you or how I keep thinking about you but something else. 

Let’s rewind to 27-Jan-2019. I was in Australia for work and it was first time in 16 years that I wasn’t home on this day and didn’t have any friends/family around too - double whammy. 

Nevertheless, I still thought of following my annual ritual of visiting a Gurudwara to offer my prayers. I googled the location and the travel route. Thus, began a Sunday journey which was waiting to become memorable. 

I took the train to Box Hill and from there I had to board a cab to reach Gurudwara at Blackburn. When I booked Uber, a driver named Sourav picked up my travel request. 

We started the journey and as always I started chatting about his whereabouts, experience in Australia etc. While the journey had started, he hadn’t paid attention to the exact destination. 

He then asked me, where was I off to. The moment I told him that I’ll be visiting the Gurudwara in Blackburn, he instantly said - “Oh you are going to the Guru’s home and there is no way I can charge you for that.”

I told him it was absolutely alright and I was indeed thankful that he was taking me there. He didn’t listen to me and while I kept telling him to charge me for the trip, he cancelled the trip on his app. 

He then dropped me to the Gurudwara and wished me a good day before he drove back.

Still speechless from this experience, I entered the Gurudwara, just to be immersed in the beauty that it was. I had a memorable darshan, offered my prayers in peace and even got to taste the langar. 

When I stepped out, I realized that this day couldn’t have concluded on a better note. The universe had conspired to make it memorable in a good way. 

Today, as I look back to that day, the memories bring smile to my face. Sourav, wherever you are, sending across thousands of blessings for you for that kind gesture that I will never forget. Umpteen blessings for each of the kind souls I met at the Gurudwara. 

You all were with me on a day I thought how to sail through alone. With folded hands, I keep each one of you in my memories. 

To you, Dada dearest...May you rest in peace, stay warm and safe, wherever you are...