A few good people

Many tell me that one should always befriend people from one’s country, especially when one lives in a foreign country, because they help you in need. I am reflecting on one day of my life to understand this thought.

 

I woke up this morning to find that I cannot move at all. I was fine just yesterday, I had walked, run, worked, and done my groceries. But today, my back was all stiff and I could not move. My old spinal pain had probably flared up.

 

All it took me was one Whatsapp message and one email saying, “I need help.” Someone immediately rushed to bring me pain ointment. Conny and Ulrike from the department got busy retrieving my insurance documents from office, arranging a car, taking me to the doctor, and translating every bit of conversation between the German doctor/nurses and me. Someone helped me buy the medicines. Someone gave me candles and matches to brighten my day. Someone fed me chicken soup and rice for dinner. Someone is going to bring me a hair dryer tomorrow to dry the plasters on my back. Physically, I feel better. Emotionally, I feel great.

 

These people are Americans, Germans, and Koreans. More than nationality, all these people are humans. They mean something to me. I had not known them four months ago and was likely to never know them if I did not live here.

 

I have taken this opportunity to reflect. I don't think ideas like "foreign", "us", "them", and the distinction between ours and theirs make sense to me anymore. Home is not determined by the country of citizenship. Friendship is not determined by nationality. I don't see just India as my home, the entire world is my home, and everyone I meet who means well is my friend. Often when I visit India, I hear people telling me, "But one's own country is one's own country." Today, I was in pain, but I was not scared. I knew all it would take is one call. All it would take was to submit myself to whatever happens and have faith, and people around me would jump to my rescue. I put my faith in the goodness of humanity, and not in the security of clan affiliation. Trust me, there is no "our people" and "your people". Only "good people".

 

sunshine