Distant Bells

An unclear face, a special night - now far away, a parting of long ago, an old brush with destiny, maybe an exceptional coincidence or a quaint little meeting - ancient, faint glimpses of unforgotten people, glimpses still strong inside us, glimpses that never die.

When we dig into the past and recollect, we remember - with some fondness - those people who inspired us, people who touched us, people who somehow defined us - rather helped us define ourselves, people without whom we would have been someone else, probably somewhere else. Maybe a favorite teacher, perhaps a dear friend, or perhaps someone extra special. People who somehow stood out in the crowd. People, who in their own little, somewhat mystifying language, talked to us even in silence. The echoes of those words are heard even years later. The light from those sparks that were created is never dulled.

Even in fading light, inspite of the ever increasing speed of life, and the thick mists of the mind, some souls never leave us. Some encounters, however momentary, however fleeting, leave their imprints - imprints, firm and memorable.

The years in between may have dimmed the faces, may have somewhat tempered the strong bonds. But the light that shone from their hearts will always touch us. The spaces that separate us from them, can never break the hidden bridges - bridges that make light of distances too great. Vivid images of those seasons, that almost seemed to span an era of our lives, strike us - suddenly - out of nowhere, and bring with them the legacies that those people left behind.

And, some of them tap our inside in a way that can never  be erased. And, when they are gone, we do begin to believe that we may never see their like again, never again see anyone from their tribe. For some people touch us in their own unique ways, which can never be recreated by anyone else.

Such people come along once in a while. Their paths cross ours for a brief duration of time - time which is ours - and theirs - to bring out something momentous, something far-reaching, something exemplary. And, sometimes, that small slice of our life, seems like eternity, seems like a life in itself. So, keep your senses on alert, 'listen' to the signs that people bring along, and never miss that short span of time, that can redefine our lives and the lives of others.

And then comes the bitter part. A heavy-hearted goodbye that leaves us forever sad - a farewell at a graduation party or maybe a farewell at a railway station, a grand farewell at the end of life, or even a farewell that never was. A farewell that was truly tearful even without tears - for some tears never come out. But, away with forlorn thoughts! For, even though we part, we carry with us some lessons, some fulfilled dreams, perhaps a changed outlook, a treasure of memories, that we can someday dwell upon with a smile and a tear, and above all a hope - a hope that someday in the distant future, our paths will cross again.

But of course, destiny may never bring us together again. Fate  may never let our eyes meet again. But, distant bells - bells of an old tryst, of sweet meetings and doleful partings, will forever ring in the memory of our hearts.

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