The CHILD In You Has No Age!

On a recent work trip, I was flying a private airline. I was on aisle 9C and an old lady in her 70s was on the window 9A. The middle seat was empty so we both kept our excess stuff, phones, handbag, power bank on it and used it optimally etc.

It was a 2-hour flight so we had enough time on hand. I wished her and we started talking and getting to know each other better. She was a bong (Bengali) and was going to Delhi to meet her son and daughter in law. She looked confident, settled in her silk beige colour saree, protected by a sweater, and she had wrapped herself in a dark shawl to avert the anticipated cold in Delhi.

As we took off, I started reading my book and she closed her eyes to take a power nap. Her nap was interrupted by a turbulence related announcement and she woke up a bit uneasy. Once we were back on track we started talking again. I asked her if she has a Facebook account and she happily said, “Bete ne banaya tha par mujhe password yaad nahin” ( My son had created one for me but I don’t remember the password)

I asked her about her favourite serials on TV and she had a long list which she follows judiciously. The list has serials like Balika Vadhu, Comedy Nights with Kapil, Sasural Simar ka, Taarak Mehta ka chasma etc. but her favourite being CID. Yes CID! and Daya was her favourite character !! On hearing this, I giggled and then I couldn’t control myself and we both laughed together, when I said, ” Aap bhi darwaza pair se todte ho” ( You also break the door with your foot)

Time flew and we were already descending towards our destination. What happened next was simply adorable.

She took out her smartphone, opened the camera, put it on video mode and started taking a video of the plane landing. She continued for another minute after the plane had landed, with a cute child-like curious smile on her beautiful ageing face. It was a new possession in her lovely collection of videos, I guess.

I found this so innocently arresting, alluring and adorable. It was her form of Self-Care.

For me, It was the moment of the day!

Kunal Khanna Member since May 18, 2020

Kunal Khanna is the Chief Happiness Officer & Founder -The Happiness Company. Kunal has always believed that success in any endeavour is a result of happiness and is the key element of positivity, good health, happy relationships, budding creativity and excellence in life. An MBA, Kunal has been in the Reinsurance Industry for over 15 years and currently works for a London-based financial services firm. An avid professional speaker and a communication coach, Kunal has conducted several workshops and coaching sessions to help people find their passion and give wings to their dreams. He is also the co-founder of Mumbai Toastmasters, an Indian chapter of Toastmasters International and he received the Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM) which is the highest award given to any Toastmaster for his stupendous leadership & communication all round performance. Kunal is a pet parent and loves to spend time with his beautiful pets, Coco & Luka. He can be reached on Facebook @Kunalishappy, Instagram @ Kunalishappy or through mail at kkunal.khanna@gmail.com. He lives in Mumbai, India.

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