Wowed by Mini Mao!

This blog post is about a cat called Mini Mao.She lives in our building premises and is loved by all and feared by few including yours truly.Yes, I am very scared of cats. Still don't know why ? My heart almost skips a beat whenever I see a cat.I love them only from a distance...don't have the guts to go near them, leave alone holding them in my arms! On the contrary my mother loves cats.Everyday during our evening walks she would go close to Mini Mao and talk to her while I observe them from a distance. However I do have a soft corner for cats ; it's just the fear that makes me stay away from them.

Mini Mao at our neighbour's house.

Mini Mao by the way is a very calm and quiet cat. Many residents feed her and lovingly caress her. Apart from the fact that she is a resident of our society, there's another link that connects her to us- Our immediate neighbours -a middle aged couple who are animal lovers to the core. I mean they are amazing human beings. Uncle operates an independent South Indian food chain called Annam Fresh Food ; he left his job to start his dream venture which serves authentic South Indian food at very reasonable rates. The best part of it is that he cooks all the food and has just kept a helper to deal with the side chores. I am always amazed to see how he manages to cater to so many orders all on his own and I have come to believe that both uncle and aunty are angels who are here to make this world a more beautiful place to live in and to make people believe in goodness and kindness. Aunty also joins him whenever she is free to help him with the cooking.The food they serve is so homely and so tasty -it's just beyond description.Made by love and served with love should be their tag line , I feel. That's what it is all about.They have themselves had dogs in the past and they feed and take care of all the canines in our street.They have kept cement bowls on the streets for the dogs to drink water.Whenever a street dog is ill, they would call the animal ambulance and get him treated. They are truly angels!

I know I have drifted a bit from my topic, but I felt this bit of information was important to take the story ahead.So let's get back to Mini Mao and her connection with our neighbours. Every evening (night, i must say.They generally come back after 9:30 pm) Mini Mao waits for uncle and aunty to come back home and then she accompanies them to their home, spends good amount of time with them and then when they go out to feed the dogs , they leave her downstairs with her food. Aunty says she feels a soul connection with Mini Mao. In fact she is the one who has named her Mini Mao.

Mini Mao just delivered her kittens a week back at their place. Aunty took great care of her during her pregnancy and did a lot of prior research on caring for pregnant cats. They made a good arrangement for her delivery in one of their rooms and she gave birth to healthy kittens in their presence and care.

Unfortunately they had to go out of town due to some unavoidable circumstances and aunty requested us to feed Mini Mao and a housekeeper boy to clean her poops. Although this is a temporary arrangement for her but they didn't want to keep the kittens outdoors now as it's monsoon and they are too fragile to be kept out.I didn't know that kittens are inactive for 21 days after their birth.They open their eyes and become active only after that. Anyway, this is how Mini Mao along with her babies is residing at our neighbour's place these days.

Mini Mao having her food

What astonishes me is the fact that she defecates in one of the bathrooms.I wonder, when nobody ever gave her any toilet training , where does this sense comes from? Isn't she more intelligent than most of the humans who lack  basic civic sense? She is indeed an evolved soul. Isn't she?!

Another thing that happened just a day before is that when Mamma went to feed her at night , the moment she opened the door this girl fled away. We got so worried because her kittens were inside.Although it is but natural that someone who is used to staying outside has not seen the open sky since more than a week would be very desperate to move out and that's what she did when she got the chance.

Mamma went down , took a round with the security guard but somehow they couldn't spot her.Although the guard told her that whenever she comes back, he'll open our building entrance door and let her in so that she can climb the stairs and come up.Even he said, she'll come back to her kittens.Somehow even we felt that she'll be back but still were worried too.Every half an hour we were looking out of the door only to be disappointed.We woke up till 2 am and then finally went to sleep hoping and praying that she will come back in the morning.And lo! around quarter to 6 ,Mamma woke up and heard her meows near our door.Immediately she took some milk and the keys and the moment she opened our neighbour's door Mini Mao immediately sprang to the room where her kittens were.My goodness! We were so relieved to see her and thanked God! Another thing that surprised me was how did she know that the keys were with us and she began meowing at our door? Second she proved , a mother is a mother! How a mother can never forget her kids! It touched us so much!

Mini Mao and her kittens are doing fine.She hasn't gone out since that day and is living peacefully with her babies.One more point of appreciation is that she never spoils the house.Everything remains untouched.What a wise one, is our dear Mini Mao!

Don't you think?- There is a mind greater than our minds that guides all of us.It all depends upon how good our reception and response is to it.I don't know about me, I don't know about you...but I surely know Mini Mao's connection to the Greater Mind is simply superb! More power to her!

Shefali and her invincible Fighter Spirit!

Shefali  is a mother of 3 beautiful children, a maid by profession but more so a real fighter.

Yes, we were very lucky to have Shefali working for us as a housemaid.Although I have had limited interactions with her ,that too only on weekends when I am at home but she has inspired me beyond words with her unwavering commitment to work.

Today was her last day at work as she is finally moving to her homeland , West Bengal.

Parting with her was not easy for us because she was a beautiful human being.

This lady who had a troublesome , abusive , alcoholic  and a good for nothing husband ,  was singlehandedly bringing up her children by working hard as a day time maid.Her work always and I mean "ALWAYS" spoke of PERFECTION.She had set her bar for perfection at a much higher level than what was expected from her.She would never even leave a speck of dust in any nook or corner and would always leave the house spick and span!.Her dedication towards her work despite of her hardships was really inspiring. Infact, it was astonishing!- I mean how come someone who has all the reasons to crib , cry and curse life can work so meticulously and positively! To be really honest, we never told her what to do.She did everything on her own , more than what was expected and with total perfection! Every day she inspired us with her actions , her smile and her beautiful persona.She truly touched our hearts in the most beautiful way! I believe that's the beauty of human connections.

In fact I must say, everyday as I used to juggle with the questions of "what's my life purpose?", "how do i achieve work-life balance and true fulfillment?" , I was reminded of Shefali and that is when I used to think that unlike me there are many Shefalis  who don't have  the luxury to even think about "life and purpose" ; who find their purpose in everyday living, in moments and in doing; those who have no time and resources to think or plan for their future and yet they set examples of excellence for us.

I think no work is big or small.Life is more about giving your best to whatever work comes your way.Only if we understand this simple message, we will lead more peaceful and fulfilling lives than breaking our heads and spoiling our time in futile thinking!

This also reminds me of a gentleman I came across in a supermarket a few weeks ago. He was working at the gift wrapping section.I went to him to get something gift wrapped and I was almost stumbled to see with what precision he did a simple job of gift-wrapping! I was wondering , if this man is left on his own, he can create wonders! I feel if people like him and Shefali who were born in unfortunate circumstances  can celebrate life with such vigour then we who are blessed with all the comforts have no right to crib at all ! 

Thank you Shefali for making me realize that life will never give us any meaning , we have to give life a meaning and let that meaning bring joy and contentment to us!

In times of distress,confusion and self doubt, I hope to remember and follow the footprints that you have left behind! May your tribe increase! May we all see the Light! Amen.