… And they go and hibernate somewhere. Maybe later they re-emerge a little differently.”

- Steve Jobs

Somebody’s Mother
By Mary D. Brine

The woman was old and ragged and gray, And bent with the chill of a winter’s day; The streets were white with a recent snow, And the woman’s feet with age were slow.

At the crowded crossing she waited long, Jostled aside by the careless throng Of human beings who passed her by. Unheeding the glance of her anxious eye.

Down the street with laughter and shout. Glad in the freedom of “school let out,” Come happy boys, like a flock of sheep, Hailing the snow piled white and deep; Past the woman, so old and gray. Hastened the children on their way.

None offered a helping hand to her, So weak and timid, afraid to stir, Lest the carriage wheels or the horses’ feet Should trample her down in the slippery street.

At last came out of the merry troop The gayest boy of all the group; He paused beside her and whispered low, “I’ll help you across, if you wish to go.”

Her aged hand on his strong young arm She placed, and so without hurt or harm He guided the trembling feet along, Proud that his own were young and strong; Then back again to his friends he went, His young heart happy and well content

“She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know, For all she’s aged, and poor and slow; And some one, some time, may lend a hand To help my mother—you understand?—If ever she’s old and poor and gray, And her own dear boy so far away.”

“Somebody’s mother” bowed low her head In her home that night, and the prayer she said Was: “God be kind to that noble boy, Who is somebody’s son and pride and joy.”

All alone!
Whether you like it or not,
alone is something
you’ll be quite a lot!

Today you are true!
That is truer than true!
There is no one alive
who is you-er than you!

This pool might be bigger
Than you or I know!

Think left and think right
and think low and think high.
Oh, the thinks you can think up
if only you try!

Little known fact is that Holi is also a day of forgiveness, when enemies are forgiven and new beginnings are etched. Start afresh and bring colour back into your lives! Happy Holi!