MUSING :THE HEALING TOUCH

I spotted this poem in the AWC Combat magazine and found it rather apt for my page here.

The journey of a hesitant shy girl to becoming the first lady of the unit, when like a full fledged albatross she has to take the welfare of the unit under her wings- a glorious journey but not without its tribulations. This poem captures that picture so well.

More importantly it encapsules the portrait of the “ideal” first lady- one who has not let the silven in her hair demand a hallowed presence, but one who has learnt the lesson of tolerance and can hand over the mantle to others gracefully. As a senior lady, reaching out to give that “healing touch” to the younger lot is by far the most significant and vital obligation one owes to the unit – something that can change and mould so many lives for the better…

Few of us regard our senior position as an obligation, few realize that it is not just our function to “get jobs done” – taking advantage of an hierarchy set by the organization- it is a deep commitment instead that we owe to reach out and heal simply because we are older, wiser, been there seen it all and know how difficult our own journey has been…we must at all times remember the older we grow, the more tolerant we must become ( and not haughty and demanding) more generous with our love and affection and more healing in everything we say or do…

Thank you Mrs. Sehedeva for this lovely poem…


I AM AN INFANTRY SOLDIER’S WIFE

(By Mrs Vipinjot Sehedeva -18 Madras)

Charming and purposeful became my life
Adorned with jewels I became the bride
Of a man who carries his gun with pride
Yes I became and infantry soldier’s wife
With a fluttering heart and mixed feelings
I embarked upon a new life
When I became the infantry soldier’s wife

“This is your new home”, said my husband
Where you will never feel alone
Parties ,Barakhanas, Ladies Club and social evenings
No doubt will bring glamour and cheer
In your monotonous life
But remember life won’t always be a bed of roses
Being in Infantry demands
Whole hearted dedication
and service to the nation”.

I heeded to his words and accepted life as it came
Good , bad or worse
There were moments of trials and tribulations
Parenting the child single handedly
Managing bank accounts splendidly
Waiting for a letter a phone call
Or just a message from him
When the chances
Of his getting leave were dim.

It wasn’t easy to smile and look past
When the TV channels shrieked
Of terrorist attacks and mine blast
When nothing seemed to work
Neither prayers nor fasts
Yet being and infantry soldiers wife
Has given me an identity
I recognised my latent talent and capabilities
I realised I could do much more
Though not sure what the future had in store

The cultural diversity
that I have been exposed to
Has enriched my personality
And taught me to be tolerant and true
It has been a long journey
From a Capt’s wife to the first lady of the Battalion
With more responsibilities to shoulder
From counselling to lending a healing touch
Like a surrogate mother
Instilling in my ladies
The same sense of pride
That they were infantry soldiers wives !