Humanity and Humility are the attributes rarely found just like common sense being the most uncommon.
I had decided to
get back to writing regularly since next week and was seriously pondering upon
subjects to explore. Needed a little motivation too, unfortunately motivation
came with a shocking news. A very good family friend, 48 years old, the only
earning member of the family passed away. He was too young to die leaving
behind a young wife and a 14 year old son. His death, doctors said, was due to
complications with kidney failure. Alas, they talk only about the physical body
parts. What we know is that he was stressed.. stressed to the end of breaking, at
work. A not too highly educated but very loyal and hard working member of his
organization – a private one please note. Apparently he was ill a week before
and had taken leave but was urgently called on duty to prepare for an upcoming
audit. Getting dressed for work, his wife expressed her displeasure – why go
when you are not well. “I have to go else I may lose my job” was his sincere
reply. She relented and that she rues now, was her most gruesome mistake. He
promptly met his boss – the owner and was rebuked for taking a leave when the
company was to face an audit. He came back to his cabin, head low maybe
because of guilt or may be due to uneasiness and collapsed. From there, he went
from one hospital to the other and finally in next couple of days, left the
world. The huge gathering of people whispered about his honestly and sincerity.
Some talked about life after death. But what about Life before death?
Was he at fault?
The man was just trying to save his job. But now, who will save and cherish the
laughter of his wife, the growing up of his child, the calls of his old parents
who are now devastated. Stress they say is the silent killer and yes it is
certainly. Only if we could identify the symptoms first. His family observed
them, his brother observed them. In the world of cut throat competition where
siblings move mountains to claim inheritance, this younger brother, himself in
early forties, offered his older brother support for next 4 months and pleaded
to him to change the job. But the inevitable had to happen.
While this
philosophy of who can change the inevitable can be understood, why do some
seniors forget that the juniors are human beings too. Agree that there are a
few who always run away from work but, can they not be identified instead of
judging everyone by their standards? Does the power of a senior thrive on the
helplessness of the employees? On the other hand, why is retaining the job so
important than health? Yes money is certainly important but given a choice,
would the man’s family prefer – unemployment for a few months or death? The senior
himself was there at the funeral and I wondered what would be on his mind? Is he
expecting to pay respects to the soulless body of the person whom he never gave
respect while alive? Or is he feeling guilty. In any case, I realized that the
silently wailing woman, whose whole world was now destroyed, from the deepest
corner of her heart had already cursed him. She tried telling someone to ask
him to go away afterall, she had seen her husband trying to convince him of his
illness. However, she was silenced and the only way she expressed her angst was
through tears. She may pick up the pieces of life and move on for the sake of
her son, her parents, her friends and herself but will never stop blaming that
man for the death of her husband.
This realization
brought upon a new perception – I was no longer worried and distressed about
the well being of the woman – I knew she will be fine, after all, she had the
good wishes of her family, the love and respect from her closed ones,
nonetheless, the vacuum of a life partner will remain but, life will still be
good. Now, I was worried for the one man who became a catalyst to the
disastrous health of an employee spiraling him towards his end. What would
happen to him? Can he sleep soundly anymore, will he realize the impact of his behavior?
Will he change for better or will he still go around collecting curses from
people.
How will be his Life Before Death?
