Life Before Death

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?