KALEIDOSCOPE OF ROLES
Today I wish to share this incredibly beautiful, inspiring and touching e-mail I received from Kshama Fernandes, CEO of Northern Arc in India.
“When I was born, I was the daughter my parents craved for
When my brother was born, I became a sister to him
When I got married, I became a wife
When I had children, I became a mother
When my niece was born, I became an aunt
Someday I will become a grandmother
In the changing kaleidoscope of roles I’ve played in life
The one I’ve cherished most – is that of a friend
A friend to my parents (who keep insisting I grow up but are really glad I never did)
A friend to my brother (despite the fact that I’ve bullied him all his life)
A friend to my then husband (I ceased to be his wife, but continued being his best friend)
A friend to my sons (I hope I will always be so)
A friend to my niece (who recently taught me how to air board although I’ll never be as good as her at it)
A friend someday to my grandchildren (I have so many stories to tell them…)
And really – a friend to anybody who will have me for a friend
A friend is like a full stop, a period “. ”
Nothing more and nothing less
A friend is just simply – a friend
A friend is never a woman or a man
A friend is the armor we all need in life
Wear it when needed, and set it aside when not
Always handy the next time round
In my world of finance, a friend is an “option” with a non-linear payoff
A limited downside and an unlimited upside
And that’s the role I cherish the most
Today – I wish you a friend!”