The Growth of Bonds Within Your Heart

A story of a lovely friendship

You never know how you become fond of some people. They just grow in your heart over time.

I met my friend Kusam in 1997 when I was recovering from two compression fractures L4 and L5 of my spine. It was very painful.

I was suffering a very bad cold due to sinusitis and allergic Rhinitis.

A friend who saw me in this condition introduced me to a reflexologist, promising I would feel much better with her treatment.

This reflexologist was Kusam.

Ever since she became a good friend.

Kusam told me that she was a lawyer but had given up her practice to get into the health arena.

From law to health

She was not only a reflexologist but also a Reiki master.

She taught me Reiki and Reflexology.

We developed a comradeship with each other. We both did the advanced and teacher’s training course in Reflexology from the All India Association of Acupressure Reflexologists Association headed by the president Dr. IP Bahl at that time.

She took it up as a regular profession and started practicing as well as doing voluntary work.

I did voluntary work for about 3 years. I was already a professor so did not take this up as a profession.

Kusam and I began to meet and have Reiki and Reflexology sessions together.

As her patient, I turned to become a good friend of Kusam.

We made plans to go out together and shop and go to restaurants for a meal. It was fun together.

One day it was her birthday. I went to her home, and we had a cake-cutting ceremony for her.

As other friends poured in we had fun by having a meal and more cakes came in.

Our friendship bonds became stronger.

Travel

Kusam requested me to travel with her to Amritsar as she was keen to see the Golden Temple.

I like to visit and pay homage every year and so I readily obliged.

We made a plan and decided to go by a fast train that reached in 7 hours and my goodness what a rollicking time we had.

We got several photos taken together and all of them reflect our happy selves.

We also traveled to Pondicherry together. We enjoyed walking on the streets for hours.

We also sat at the beachside sometimes singing songs and then sitting in happy silence. We watched the water and the waves moving while we waited for the sunrise to bless us with light.

Look at the rocks here. They were completely black. The soil there was black too.

We also went to Auroville. It is now known as the first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousness,

It focuses on sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social, and spiritual needs of mankind.

It was very hot when we went to Auroville. Dressed like tourists in hats we took in the whole scenery.

It was a very peaceful and spiritual place where we went. The fragrance of the place still lasts.

Cultural festivals

We now attend cultural festivals and artisans' exhibitions together. Besides that, we have a lot of discussions on health, law, philosophy, nature and life’s experiences. She is a bright and intelligent person and there is always a lot to learn from each other.

The above photo was taken at a cultural festival sometime this year.

We have moved forward in our journey of life as our children got married and went abroad and left us with empty nests.

Friends help each other both emotionally and by giving each other company to tide over times of loneliness and make us happy during happy times.

We have never looked back. We attended family functions and made each other a part of the family to share wonderful times.

To wrap up

Christmas and New Year are around the corner. We spend time every year during these joyous festivals and moments to lend sparkle to our festive moments.

We visit parks together and with our family members and many crafts exhibitions as the weather is good at this time of the year and there is a lot of festivity around the city.

Malls are dressed up, restaurants are full and there is fun and frolic. In the hope of a good year's end, people are already enjoying their winter and planning for the vacation.

True friendship makes the bonds stronger over time and we pass the process of the journey happily learning from each other.

Friendship is indeed a very precious gift. Keep it safe.

Friendship is a relationship of purity, love, sacrifice, togetherness, and being part of the family.

This post on friendship is in response to Rui Alves prompt/challenge in Engage