Distant Relative

My grandfather loved his sister. Every weekend he took us to visit her home. And I loved playing with his sister’s grandsons but did not like my uncle, their father. He always made fun of me and my sisters, and stretched it to such an extent that joke became ugly. Strangely, he never made fun of my younger brother. He took him more seriously and respectfully. I wondered why?

One day my grandfather asked me to stay back at his home for a week so that his wife could prepare me for my exams. I was academically very bad.

His wife was loving and kind to me but the uncle was always unapproachable and ignored me. My innocent behavior would make him more irritable. I grew up a little more and often it came to my mind, “I have not done anything bad or said anything bad to him then why would he treat me like that? How can he live in peace with such an attitude?” Gradually, I understood that he prefers boys over girls.

When I was 22, my grandfather died, and we lost the connection between two families. I thanked God that I don’t have to see and meet him again.

Many years later, I got the news that both of his sons are married, and each one has two daughters.

A few days ago, I was writing some children’s stories to indicate how children are also been effective by the distant relative’s behavior. During the writing, I was overwhelmed by my aunt’s love, she always treated me equally to her sons. I took no time to message her to thank her for the past kindness. And she responded immediately and called me up. We had a sweet conversation after 25 years and in the middle of the conversation, she said, “Do you want to talk to your uncle?”

How can I say I don’t want to talk to him, I had to say yes. I was on hold for a few minutes. I thought I disliked him for the whole of my life, and now I have to talk to him! what will I say? I laughed at myself that God has put me in a strange situation.

He came on the phone, and we greeted each other. Immediately, I felt calmness and kindness in his voice. He open-heartedly shared his daily routine – living with his wife close to the mountains, no television. He does not like to be in any whatup groups. He loves to give a helping hand to his wife on daily basis. Spend a few hours at a spiritual center nearby. He likes to help needy people in a simple way without being too much involved in groupisum and restless chatting. I quietly heard him. He was honest and I could feel it.

Immediately, I surprised myself. I liked him much more than I could ever assume.