HEROES WEAR MASKS
The COVID-19 pandemic has given us new heroes – none with capes, and all with masks.
I hope that this will change our perspectives and help us look at ‘low’ professions with high respect. May we never again drive our children to high-paying jobs, but only to those with a high-calling.
There IS a difference.
My personal heroes will be featured as often as I spot them. Listen out for their personal survival tips that are stunning in their simplicity and truth.
Lucas (45)
When I struggled through the initial days of the lockdown, muffling emotions and battling thoughts, this cheerful man brought me to tears. My friend Beena had given me his contact number, and when he came home to deliver, I overslept. Later, I called him urgently and apologised.
“No problem,” he replied sweetly, “I’ll come back on my way home.” I was touched by his simplicity and eagerness to help in those days when people were being lathi-charged for venturing out. Minutes later, I saw him turn onto the street with my bread – in the hot sun – on a cycle.
I broke down.
This baker-and-deliverer of 24 years has a family of five to feed. What is his biggest challenge, I asked. “Everything,” he replied, “getting ingredients, baking itself, delivering to people, and mostly, the closing down of our big bakery where I would bake cakes, biscuits and everything. Today it’s only the basics.”
How does he still remain cheerful? “You have to. I don’t think its okay to say ‘No’ to people who call me for food. This is a kind of social service, so I just do it happily,” he says.
Lucas’ survival tip:
Don’t take circumstances to heart. Don’t let it bring you down. Stay strong and do whatever you can manage.
Nazrul (20)
This cheerful security guard has been in our strange big city, far away from his little village and poverty-ridden fields for five years now. Ever since he was 15.
Behind the smile lies pain and struggle. He supports a grandma, mother, and little brother. If you show interest, you will hear horrific stories but his guard is up with his radiant smile. “How do you remain happy in tough time?” I ask.
He replies, “I don’t take anything to heart. Whatever comes my way is destiny. I can’t fight it, but I can look ahead. I have to. I am the only support my family has.”
Nazrul’s survival tip:
Keep yourself and your room clean. Bathe well. Wash your clothes well. Cook patiently and eat well.
Jada (13)
This fresh teenager enjoys reading, colouring and playing with Lego. School was abruptly shut and she missed friends and routine immediately. How has she managed being trapped at home? “Not that much has changed,” she says, “the people who struggle are probably those used to going out a lot. I enjoy being at home and doing craft.”
Jada has been busy, cheerful and inspirational despite a rather in-your-face challenge. “Being stuck with siblings the whole time,” she says. And how does she handle it? “I’ve learned to ignore them, and whistle to drown out their voices,” she says quite satisfied with her strategy.
Jada’s survival tip:
I keep a routine and try to follow it. I make my bed, comb my hair and put nice clothes on. I feel happy when I do it.
Ken (79)
This grandpa who still works and travels extensively, had a rude grounding like many of us last month. But his biggest challenge was ‘the fear people put into us by saying if you’re past 65, you’ve got cause for concern’. To cope with the lows, he did things that engaged, even “consumed” him, he says. They were nearly all – creative.
“I had to keep my mind away from thoughts that bring me down. I had to be creative, starting cooking meals for the family, and that really revived me. I challenged myself to one painting a day,” he says. The suggestion of being creative, comes with a side note of being ‘careless about it’ and not being obsessed.
Evening music hours daily with the family is an event when everyone, from the 82-year-old grandma to the seven-year-old grandson, sing together. And Grandpa makes the cold coffee and snacks.
Ken’s survival tip:
Be positive. The moment you bring fear and negativity into your heart, your immunity goes down.
myuncommonsense 