Optimism is such an uplifting feeling. In an instant you feel your sorrows melting away and a strange warmth fill your being. You feel hopeful. You know that something wonderful is about to happen that will transform your life. It is quite amazing, isn’t it?

The other day, there were two young boys, two brothers, playing in the neighborhood park. It was late morning. The two brothers were playing and indulging in banter as they normally do. Then a girl M, younger than the older boy also joined them. She wanted to play ball too. In no time, another one of their friends, a boy A, joined in. They all started playing. Something happened; they had a tiff. A got mad at the girl. In no time, a stream of abuses spewed forth from his mouth. The girl was repeatedly cursed. The two brothers were shocked. The girl kept quiet and was almost in tears. But, the brothers took up for her. The boy was pulled up and told to mind his language. The elder boy, In no uncertain terms, gave him a piece of his mind, telling him never to use such harsh words on anyone and certainly not on a girl. This ruckus was witnessed by a neighbor and also a security guard. The security guard then asked the offending boy to leave the field. The girl left for her home in a better state of mind. And, the two kids made their way home.

Another day in the playground with children!

When this incident reached me, I felt a strange sense of pride, a sense of optimism that kids do still stand up for each other and for what is right.

Yes, those two were my sons.

Conscience is what you do when no one is looking!

I was glad that they intervened and took up for a child when another boy was bullying and abusing her. I was also glad that they did this not to prove a point to anyone but because they knew that is the right thing to do.

These small moments in life tell you that something you are doing is right. That there is hope. That you are going to leave a better world in the hands of those who will make it better.

As a mother of an almost teenage boy and a younger boy, I am aware that my responsibilities are higher to raise boys who respect the other gender especially in our society. I also want them to stand apart from the crowd by not considering cussing fashionable. I want them to grow into sensitive, humble men who have seen and imbibed from loving parents a sense of fairness and equality.

This small incident revealed to me that we were on the right path. I felt optimistic about the future.

44 Thoughts on “A small ray of hope

  1. Such a proud momma moment and with reason too! May they always gladden your heart, even as they grow in age, wisdom and maturity. God bless them and you!

  2. And you rightly deserve to be proud, Rachna. Having met both your sons, I’m sure they’ll continue to make you proud-er still.
    Stay blessed.

  3. To stand up for someone is a beautiful and courageous quality. Kudos to you for teaching them well. 🙂

  4. As you said the reaction of your boys was natural and spontaneous against what they perceived as unjust.You can be justifiably be proud of the way your sons are growing up.

  5. As a mother and a lady I felt so good after reading your post. Makes me realise that our small efforts do bear fruit. Your boys make you proud.

  6. “These small moments in life tell you that something you are doing is right. That there is hope. That you are going to leave a better world in the hands of those who will make it better.” Absolutely, Rachna! That was so heartwarming to read. A pat on the back to both your sons! You must be a proud mom today, and deservedly so. God bless 🙂

  7. Glad when kids do good. Parents get the credit & more than that, the satisfaction & optimism.
    Kudos!

  8. In a society like ours especially with today’s situation, it takes a huge responsibility on us mother’s to grow up a generation who respect and stand up for women without fear!
    We mothers of boys have a huge responsibility now!!
    Your kids prove they are being grown up in the hands of a Queen 🙂 Congrats to you!

    • Thank you for such beautiful words, Bilna. I guess, we parents of boys are more conscious of how we ought to raise our sons. Hopefully, some of the good things are being imbibed by them.

  9. It is easy to do the right thing while the world is watching, but only integrity will make you do the right thing when no one is looking. That is a result of a fantastic upbringing. It does give hope for a better world for our kids 🙂

  10. Hey

    Its so wonderful to acknowledge the fact that your kids are on the right path, specially in these times when you get to see and hear only evil.
    God bless the kids 🙂

  11. Sure a moment to be proud of, my dear. Happy you are raising sons who can stand up for themselves and their friends. Happy they are imbibing all the goodness you want to part. Yes, there is hope 🙂 Happy parenting!

  12. Rahul on March 6, 2015 at 9:22 am said:

    A good upbringing can make all the difference, Rachna:)

  13. So wonderful Rachna..So happy and you must be so proud na? Such stories give hope that the world will be in safe hands in the future 🙂

  14. Truly a proud mommy moment! And thank you for sharing this with your readers. Responsible, conscious and mindful parenting is one of the biggest needs of the moment. Everywhere.

  15. Nice to know. Great stuff.

    However If I had done something of this sort at that age, mom would have scolded me – “We are not sending you to school to become a hero. We are middle class – mind your own business and focus on your studies. “

    • Oh but they are focusing on their studies. I still have my middle class values intact. Being kind and nice to others was one of them.

      • I meant my parents are very conservative and risk averse – so they would have wated me to stay out of the way of trouble of any kind. They always wanted me to focus on my job and not try to get into any kind of social work.

  16. This is what I call SANSKAR

  17. 🙂 Nothing like endorsement from your own children, Rachna, especially when they do something like this spontaneously!

    God bless you 🙂 and your boys!

  18. They learnt from the best. Kudos to you and Gurdev 🙂

  19. Kudos to the boys

  20. Really hat’s off to you Rachna. I really admire the way you have brought up your sons. As you mentioned, it was obvious they did not do it to prove a point, which is how it should be!

  21. Udayashankar on April 19, 2015 at 2:22 am said:

    Dear Rachna,

    I wish the society have more parents like you who teach true values of life.to their boys…

    Kudos to the Tigers

  22. Pingback: Those precious moments - Rachna Says

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