Counting My Blessings

MY BIRTHDAY IN SHENZHEN

The sky was patchy and blue. The gentle whisper of an energetic coldness filled the air.

As I got about getting ready to go to school the thoughts that filled my mind were in anticipatory mode .Yes, today was my birthday and I had the good fortune of having children to spend it with. This I will call my cake and the icing was that we were going for a picnic to Ocean World! Yes, the sea beneath was a favorite place of my mine. The beauty of the fish and coral in miniature created in a fish home aquarium gave me so much joy. Now, to have the opportunity to experience it life size was a dream come true. I could ask for nothing more on my birthday.

Someone up there really was watching out for me. It indeed had the background of being a great birthday! In a while I was in the lift going down from the 29^th floor and the ride if I may call it that was quick. In the split second that the door takes to open on the ground floor I turn my thoughts to the Almighty who has brought me here .Thank you, I say be with me and celebrate I will each experience today for you to be known and loved.

I am now at the front desk and looking towards it I scan to see for the little red headwear that the lady personal wears. Nothing, I smile nevertheless and then a head bobs up that sweet girl with a charming smile waves to me. Waving and smiling I walk on. No, that’s it. You may say. Yes, the language barrier has reduced or you can say raised me up to using my big toothy grin all the time. Along with of course dramatic expressions as in dumb shards .Some day maybe I will show you how the sign language works but for now let’s get on the bus.

Ok, we are now standing in a comfortably crowded bus. On one side, shoulder to head picture it, my shoulders her head. On the other side, shoulder to armpit, standing on tip toes to hold old the railing above that’s the prospect. Any way we on our way the happy thoughts are now on my face. I get a smile when I meet eyes .I wonder how strange they must find me. Oh, it’s my stop already. Bye! I say in my heart, to all of you here do have a nice day!

I glance at my watch I am well before time, so I slow down my pace and take in the scene. The crowds of young girls and boys dressed smartly and nattily. The swift stride matches the quick munching on the dumpling or bun and sipping from a cup. Very New York when no one is talking.The cop on parole is thin as a matchstick and as broad as a toothpick and still wet around the ears. The lathi as we call it in India is the only scary looking thing. But then again how effective is it in the hands of a toothpick. The school gate comes into view.

Crossing the road is still a chore for me. Look right look left …the left hand drive still not used to it.

So far it has only been camera…now is the action. I wait a while and then the steady stream of children, parents; teachers….the murmur it slowly turning in to a roar everyone is so excited. Last minute instructions from parents to children and last minute requests too teachers and then we are all in our lines for the assembly. Oh! We just can’t wait to get on to the bus, caps and badges in place and juice in hand Settled into the bus and off we go …singing our hearts out. With a special rendition of the birthday song for me at the end of which I graciously take a bow.

The road to our destination have tunnels running into kilometers.

The children squeal with delight each time we enter or exit one. We reach our destination the kids are excited we munch a bit and then troop into the park. Our guide is a Chinese guy with a flag in hand that says 23. We belong to group 23 for the day! Bus load after bus load arrive as we settle into the stands to see the seals and the dolphins perform….and the synchronized swimming and the highlight was the diving!

I looked at the faces of my kids all staring, eyes glued half opened packets of eats in hand they loved it and the sight of them enjoying made my heart over flow with happiness. I was in heaven. My littlest one seemed to have had enough maybe she could not understand. She beckons to me that she wants to come to me …I smiled and nodded for her to come she picked up her belongings and navigated her way to me. She was but 6 seats away from me but it was a long way for her she reached dumped her things and snuggled close in my lap then she glued her eyes on the proceedings. Who said they were no gifts on my birthday!

I had just received a precious gift of a child’s trust and faith in me. I was blessed! Later we trooped to the merry go round….that was a treat for the kids and by that I include all of u s who are kids at heart. It was a pleasure for us co-educators to enjoy with our precious wards and with each other alike.

The aquarium was next ………. the dark setting not an ideal setting for me to keep a watchful eye on my babies but a delightful experience nevertheless. Marine life has been a thrill of my life for a long time. that’s how I learned to swim as late as 13 years ago…It is a necessary requisite to deep sea diving and by that I mean seeing the beautiful coral reefs. The sights, the colors, the majesty of those sea occupants drove my imagination into overdrive. I moved in a trance watching child and fish.

Knowing this is the place I want to be on this day. Contentment filled my being. I was fulfilled.

My birthday in Shenzhen will live with me forever.