The day I turned 18, I was struck by a revelation. An epiphany, as I would like to call it, which indicated that I should contribute towards someone's wellbeing at this stage of life when I was on the threshold of my newly discovered adulthood.
For the past 18 years of my life, I had been bestowed upon with all the comforts and luxuries that I wished for. I was born and bred in a well to do household abroad, schooled in one of the finest schools and pampered with anything and everything that I craved for. I never really stepped out of my own world and put in much thought towards the troubles faced by people. I was strangely ignorant towards the pain and suffering that existed in the world.
I was brought in terms with the ugly truth and harsh realities that life offered to some people as soon as I shifted back to my hometown at the age of 16. I was ashamed that I never once thought of the plight and suffering of the underprivileged. All these years I had been blinded by the brashness and the glitz which made me oblivious about the miseries that lurked behind this perfect looking world.
I finally decided to play my part by volunteering for a worthy cause. I signed up for a social outreach programme and started volunteering at an all-inclusive school which taught normal as well as special children.
I was ridiculed by most of my friends due to the fact that I was putting so much of an effort and not getting paid for it. Little did they know that their idea of 'work' was a truly magical experience for me. A joyride of emotions !
I absolutely doted on the children and we shared an extraordinary bond almost instantly. I was astonished by the fact that although these children were of the mere age of 6 years onwards, they had a massive sense of responsibility and care towards their differently a led school mates, the best part being the reciprocation of this love. Their friendship did not need to be given any tags and nor did it follow any rule book. It was just a simple, expressive and heartwarming affair.
My attachment to these tiny, walking, breathing rays of sunshine has become overwhelming. All my unrequited love has indeed been put to the best use and is now exclusively showered upon the most wonderful little lives which exist on the face of this earth.