Points of Light, by Raylynne D'Sa

[Guest guest]

Ever since I first met her some 22 plus years ago, I knew there was something

special about Raylynne, my sister-in-law. She is an incredible woman - a

successful careerwoman - architect, interior designer, college professor -

mother, life partner, parishioner, community leader, teacher, writer and

inspirational speaker - amongst a myriad of other roles in her life. I am

honored to call her my sis-in-law. Here is an inspiring story she wrote and

sent to my daughter recently on her 16th birthday, signing off her letter with

" Just a little of my scribbles I'd like to share with you. " I subsequently

asked for her permission to share it with this list and she has very kindly

agreed. So here it is - to all you wonderful Points of Light.

Love,

Daya

p.s.- if anyone has any comments, please post them to the list or send them to

me, and I will happily forward them to her. This story will be coming out in

print in India next week...so you all get a chance to have a lovely sneak

preview.

Points Of Light

By Raylynne D'Sa

Sitting at the water's edge watching the sun go down, I was pleasantly surprised

to see the light it still emanated even after setting. For a long spell after,

visibility

was enough for people to yet go about their games, castle building, paddling,

wading and jogging along the beach in the fading twilight. Till suddenly, it

turned

dark.

A few days earlier I had come to this coastal village resort with a batch of

college

students for an " Awareness Experience " . One morning, I announced, " Late

tonight there will be a walk down the to the beach. No light source or other aid

will be allowed. The goal is to reach the beach intact, no matter the time

taken. "

The students knew that this was another way of teaching them something,

so they took my announcement seriously.

The route I had marked was downhill and difficult. Mounds of stone, thorny

bushes, water puddles, a rickety fence, crumbling steps and an uneven path all

added to the precarious descent. My announcement brought about the reaction

I had anticipated. After breakfast almost all the students could be seen

reconnoitering the proposed route. Some were counting footsteps, some timing

the descent, some drawing maps, others mentally noting down the obstacles

and practicing the trail over them. By evening, I watched amused, as they

practised the walk, some blindfolded, others with eyes closed, counting steps

bringing the mental picture to the fore. What began as a game that morning,

became an earnest effort, till the waning sunlight hours beckoned them

back in.

As per schedule, that night, I flagged off the walkers and then quickly made

my own way down the already familiar path, in the inky darkness. There I

sat, at the water's edge and watched the dark silhouettes as they bobbed

and dipped down the rugged terrain. The initial giggles and whoops of

enthusiasm all gave way to ouches of pain, cries of frustration on missing

their step and helpful calls as they guided each other back. None of them

gave up nor let another stray from the route. They reached me triumphantly

---the swift racers, the painstaking plodders, the cry babies and slowpokes

---in singles or duos, in threesomes or clusters they all came and sat by me

in anticipation of the message. To each I handed over a small folded chit

of paper. " Read this when you are alone, before you go to sleep, tonight "

I said.

The message read thus, ------

" Like the Sun that helped me learn the way today, God make me a point

of light, in all the lives I touch. So that others may learn by my experiences,

my successes and failures and whatever I care to share with them.

Like the Sun that still lent its light to me even after setting, Lord when I

move on, let all persons I have met, feel strengthened and inspired, by my

trust and belief in them.

And then like the Sun that retired for the night, I will one day be no more.

Let all the lives that I have touched then feel empowered to source out

their inner strengths and talents to go on without me. Let them emanate

with that special inner glow, that then permits them to become

Points of Light for others who still seek the path. "