Ever heard about unintended results ? Call it whatever you want. It certainly left me in tears! Blissful ones of course!!

The old lady must have been of my mother’s age. I noticed her chagrin face and stooped figure when I visited the Seniors Care home in Wayanad with two of my friends.

As I was about to leave the place, she approached me to check if I had some time to listen. I agreed to spend half an hour.

Her story of being abandoned by sons were quite painful indeed. Having picked up few bright pieces of her otherwise sad narration, I reframed it and asked her if it made sense. I could see flashes of light and a shy smile.

She took my hands, placed them on her head to bless and pray. After obliging her I knelt down requesting her to bless me. Seeing the hesitation, I encouraged her “as you would do to your son”.

Weeks after that day, this morning I had a call from Mabel as the true caller id indicate. It was the same old lady sounding so exuberant. She shared the most beautiful gift I ever received for Christmas!

Mabel told me the good news of her recovery from depression and ill health.

Little did I know how to respond to her question, “Were you not asking me to forgive when you knelt down and asked me to bless you in my son’s place?”

I confessed that I never planned that way but at the inspiration of the moment followed my heart’s prompting. I thanked her profusely and affirmed the insight she received!

The wellness and peace she felt came from the FORGIVENESS she extended through the act of blessing me in the place of her son! The words of Ireneus : Glory of God is humans fully alive echoed in me. Humans are fully alive when they receive and give forgiveness and peace.

The old lady’s vibrant voice revealed that the scar in her heart has turned into a star.

Rumi wrote:  “The wound is the place where the light enters you.”  

May the GLOWING PEACE of Christ Child transform our scars to stars!

Wish you a Merry Christmas and Bright New Year.

Bandhu Bob