LIFE IS TOO PRECIOUS

The accidental death statistic in this tiny city has reached dismal heights. Over the last couple of weeks the newspapers have been littered with stories of people (in a lot of cases entire families) meeting tragic ends most often at the end of a happy outing. We read about these unfortunate people, we say a silent prayer for their souls and pray that such a fate should not befall us or anyone we know. Yet statistics have their way and it does happen to someone you know and then things become very gloomy.

One of our company’s HR Executives Abir and her fiancé were victims of a tragic accident this weekend. Their car apparently rammed into a trailer and both of them died on the spot. They were on their way to meet Abir’s parents in Abu Dhabi when this incident happened. I did not know Abir myself as I had not interacted with her. But I do recall her as this cute chubby young girl who used to be on the corridor smoking and talking over the telephone. She always had a certain spot on the corridor where she would stand dangling her arms on the railing with a very far off look and every time I brushed past her (me always at that hurried pace as if I were missing the bus to school), we would look at each other and smile. Never once did either of us talk to each other or even enquire “Hey how are things with you?” Now it will never happen.

Although I did not know the girl, when I heard the news of her death, an immense sadness and depression swept over me. The only thought that I had the entire day was: Why didn’t I take the initiative to talk to her at least once? I would know a little bit more about her than ‘she is the chick from HR’. That should not have been her identity. She was Abir and I am sure she stood for something more than HR.

We all live such fast paced lives and we take everything for granted. God has his way of slapping us back to reality. This is a rude reminder that we need to “Love thy neighbor as thyself”. We behave like such strangers, we go about our daily tasks not even knowing who our next door neighbor is or as in this case who our colleagues are and what do they stand for. Actually I should correct that statement. There are some people like my lovable husband who does in fact make the effort to get to know people that he comes across daily. He has always preached to me that just smiling does not mean anything. Unless I talk to someone (and of course it has to be me who should break the ice), no one is going to know who I am and what I stand for.

Basically guys all I am trying to say is that Life is too small and too precious to let such opportunities pass you by. We need to make the time to stop, smile and talk to people – we don’t need to get inquisitive and pry but we should go past the cursory smile. Show some care and concern for people around us. Do not expect people to be caring and concerned towards you unless you show an inkling of concern towards them. No wonder why Ashish (husband dearest) is loved by so many and I am barely spoken about. He epitomizes care and concern for general humankind.

Life is too short to be picky about who you want to get to know and who you don’t. Whatever you may decide, I have one request for everyone. PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY & PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE (even if it is a sip).