Unexpected Meeting -- Joys of Emotion

It is my habit to visit the local temple on  every Sunday mornings . Today was no different. I visited the temple , offered prayers and thanks and did something that I do not do usually. Just sat down on the aisle and closed my eyes – within seconds , someone tapped me on my shoulder—As I opened my eyes , the person asked ,” Are you Srikanth  ?“ I said "yes" and then realized it was Jeeva or Jeevanantham my classmate from school of the 1983 batch at Don Bosco . We were seeing each other after nearly 34 years. I was surprised that he was able to recognize me – I was surprised at myself that I was able to recognize him – Both of us had changed so much –

We forgot for a few seconds that we were at the temple – But quickly we moved aside – Started talking about the good old school days – Time flew – It must have been close to 75 minutes that we got lost in our thoughts and recollections. We talked about our teachers , the schools itself , our classmates and so on. Jeeva told me that he was trying with others to locate me !  That was an another surprise to me .  A couple of selfies and Jeeva told that he will add me to the School section WhatsApp group. The funny part of this meeting was that Jeeva has been coming to the same temple on Sundays more or less at the same time  that  I go, for the past five years or so but we never found each other. Must have been destiny  that we caught up today. 

By the time , I reached home , I was added to the WhatsApp group and what an engaging day it was. I started getting calls from many who were my thick mates at school and  had lost touch for this period of time.  Most of them were relieved that they found me .. It was joy to connect with all of them – 

I had missed a get together that all the X11 standard of the school  batch of 1983 had close to Christmas. of 2017. Towards evening , I got calls from the US , where few of them are today. Everyone excited and delighted to connect . I was able to recollect some of the great moments that I had with them in school – They were stunned that I could still remember all those small little things – But what the heck –is it not those things in life that gives us unexpected happiness ?  

Some  thoughts  –

1.      Happy that most of them are still around and also doing well for themselves.

2.      Those days , we had no form of technology that helped us to connect and stay in touch – today it is possible – I remember using something called an “ Autograph book” that we used to send around and take address and messages from classmates during the last week of school – ( today's scrap book )

3.      Jeeva said it was Celebration Day , the moment he saw me – He has taken on himself to keep hunting for all of us and was so delighted that he found me today by chance

4.      The exchanges in the group was meaningful for today and so do not expect it to be “One more Group “ !

5.      Just looking forward to the next meeting that is being planned in March of this year

Still excited as I pen this down – after a long time ! Cool day

PS : already two common friends from Ford who are either school mates or share some common hobbies  ( small world )