True companionship goes beyond the physical and financial
aspects of living together. It is about being there for each other – no matter
what.
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| Nadia and Aamir Kabeer: True Companionship Picture Courtesy: Open/Ashish Sharma/Internet |
I read a heart-warming story in the latest
issue of Open magazine written by
Ashish Sharma. In a photo essay, Sharma profiles young Aamir Kabeer, a resident
of Baramulla, Kashmir, who was caught in a crossfire by security forces to
quell civilian unrest in September 2010. Kabeer who was returning home from a
friend’s place was struck by pellets in his eyes. He lost his eyesight in that
incident. Hospitalization in Srinagar, at the famed AIIMS in New Delhi, in
Indore and in Chennai was unsuccessful. Doctors concurred with each other that
he had suffered severe retinal damage. All through this ordeal, Kabeer’s
girlfriend, Nadia stood by him. Last June she married him much against the wishes
of her parents. Sharma writes: “Today, he (Kabeer) sees the world through her
(Nadia’s) eyes.”
This is such a beautiful example of
companionship.
I believe that the entire essence of living
together – as a couple – is about companionship. And companionship is about a
deep friendship – of being true to each other, no matter what the circumstances
may be. Being true again does not mean being “nice”. It means being
compassionate, being honest – doing what is right at a given moment, than what appears
to be right. It is about holding up a mirror when it has to be held up and yet
walking alongside, every step of the way.
At a “Fall Like A Rose
Petal” (also the title of my Book published by Westland) Talk
that I delivered recently, someone from the audience asked my wife why – and how
– she chose to stay with me despite “my inability to provide for the family”
and because our grave financial circumstances were caused by “my erroneous decisions
and choices”. I was overwhelmed with my wife’s answer. She said: “I have known
AVIS from when he was 19. He had nothing with him apart from his integrity and
his sense of purpose then. That’s why I was drawn to him. The money, the
success we have seen in business and Life, came much later. And then later came
the fall. But his integrity and sense of purpose is just the same. As long as
this part of him does not change, I don’t see any reason why I should not be
with him.” Please forgive my indulgence with my wife’s sentiments, but this is
what true companionship is all about. In my Book, in a chapter titled “Rise In Love”, I do talk about this
special friendship that my wife and I share.
There’s great beauty in companionship. It makes
journeying through Life meaningful – even if not outright easy. When choosing a
partner for Life, the key factor to be considered is whether you believe this
person will make a great friend and compassionate companion. Nothing else
matters. Because the circumstances that bring you together can change. Your
financial status can change. Your health situation can change. Your physical
appearance will change. But if the friendship between you and your partner,
companion, remains unchanged, you can be sure to face Life strongly, stoically.
To expect a Life free from challenges or problems is naivete. But if you have a
companion who is walking by your side, every step of the way, no matter what
you have to go through, consider that your biggest blessing! You will need nothing – and no one – more to face Life!
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