The smell of vanilla wafted through the room. Daffodils danced on the table. A warmth filled the space. It took so little or should I say so much to fill our bedroom with that energy.
A shift in perspective begins within. My wonderful wife found it in her to unearth the candles. To light them. To find a way to get daffodils delivered and to give them pride of position on our table. Two little things. Or as I said earlier, two not so little things, that transformed our first evening together after many weeks apart.
The icing on the cookie pie (yes, a friend and well-wisher sent us a cookie pie to cheer us up) was dear little Cookie. With her on my lap for an hour the world seemed a better place again. How little it takes to take it all away. How little it takes to bring it all back.
It is the little things that make life wonderful. The daily call with family continues, the topics have shifted to D-Dimer test results and symptoms. Once the health update is done we wander into another territory. Just every day updates on who is doing what. Dad and mum are planning a vegetable garden so that is the big new project underway. Beds have been laid and seeds have been planted. Now we all wait for the first signs of new life to emerge.
A two-minute call with son is another daily ritual, where I get a peep into his new hostel life and the people that fill up his world. Those few minutes bring me joy. One night it’s a Korean hot pot bubbling. Another it’s Vietnamese with chopsticks. He has learnt how to use a washing machine. Maybe the price of a US university education well paid for. His smile and joyful enthusiasm are so energising. Finally, his college journey has begun in a way that he had not anticipated but it seems is full of possibilities with all the world has to offer. It makes it all seem worth it.
That’s what keeps my world going right now. One little candle burning here at home. Another burning bright in Illinois. And of course, the lights of home in Wayanad that flicker through the lenses of my dad’s phone every evening inviting me to make a visit. Sunsets to be shared and barbecues that beckon. That is the candle of hope that keeps so many families and friends around the world connected. Light the candle. Let its fragrance and warmth touch the world. Make time for the flowers. Plant the vegetable seeds. A reminder to do it today, not on that perfect day when I have the time. Make today special in any little way you can. Be the candle burning bright in someone’s life.
As I recover and wait to connect with the wider world again, my work world holds strong too. Gives me the space to fight the fatigue. To find my strength. The flame holds strong on all fronts. So many candles burning bright.
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
A trusted coaching and communications professional, Nikhil Dey is a certified life and leadership coach (International Coach Federation - ICF). Nurturing talent and helping clients achieve their goals is what makes him happy. He loves learning from students of communication, teaching courses and guest lecturing at various educational institutions. When he is not working you will find him on the tennis court or out for long walks with his family and four legged friends.
Previously he has held senior leadership positions at Weber Shandwick and Genesis BCW.
He can be reached on twitter @deydreaming
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