In Their Shoes

When I woke up this morning, I expected the day to be no different from every other day of my existence. I wake up, eat, go to work, come back home, watch TV and then go back to sleep. It's mundane ...after all, Isn't it?

Well, Not Really!! Little did I realise that there were tons of things that were going perfectly right everyday in my life that I failed to appreciate the profundity of being alive and wholesome in mind and body.

Today turned out to be one of those days when my heart was filled with gratitude and appreciation for the gifts that I have been endowed with. I had the opportunity to delve into the minds of some of the bravest ones who put a bold fight every moment struggling to break open the hard walls that harshly confine them both mentally and physically. I happened to watch this documentary in HBO on the lives of Autistic kids and their family. It documented several months of their hard work to perform in a musical. The enormous emotional stress undergone by the parents to understand their kids condition was evident.Every moment of the documentary was heart wrenching. The kids had to put a great deal of effort to gain control of their movements and senses. Their mind and body repeatedly failed to cooperate and every simple task was uphill,arduous, painstaking... Yet,They don't give up.

The best part was their performance before a crowd. I was infact sitting at the edge of my couch while watching this part on TV. One of my anxious moments was when a kid played "Twinkle Twinkle little star" in his violin.. He was so proud and happy after playing it. The pride with which he glances his mom at the end of it is a priceless watch.

It felt great to see all of them performing with confidence. At the end of it, I involuntarily clapped my hands and shared their pride and joy. The gargantuan applause from the crowd cheered the kids and their family...And for me, The whole experience was exhilarating. It was a revelation. It would be one of those special moments that I would fondly recall in future...

Check their Website: Autism: The musical

End Note:
If you haven't noticed, I changed the BGM of my blog to suit this post. It is one of Philip Glass' minimalistic pieces which was popularised in the movie "The Hours". I find it simple,intriguing, resonating with the nethermost part of a complex human mind much similiar to Raja's theme in Mouna Ragam...