It was torrentially raining at 9 am and we were at Durpin monastery, Kalimpong last week. After we paid homage, we noticed a soldier. We respected him and got into a conversation. He hailed from an army background. He had lost his sniper brother during a combat. It was so engaging to see a vulnerable side of this gallant personality.
He mentioned he was quite shaken by the Ahmedabad aircrash and was greatly upset to know that little children had died and also several pigeon fledglings. He did not eat for two days and had shaved his head as a mark of sorrow.
We almost forgot that we were on a vacation and asked our driver to wait. His humility amazed us as he expressed animals too need protection and he had several bird nests in his hometown. Though at times foul smell emanated from their habitat, he wanted to keep up the tradition as his grandpa had instilled care for the birds. I was moved, my eyes did well up as he narrated. Sometimes #listening is powerful. A sign of relief was evident on his face.
He thanked us for the chat, we thanked him for protecting us.
He offered us tea, we declined, mumbling another thank you.
He felt heard, we felt good.
He stayed, we left.
