Wednesday, November 29, 2006
I share an office with a self confessed atheist. A middle-aged man with broad shoulders, he remains in good shape due to frequent jogs in Arctic like weather when most decide to hibernate.
It’s the same routine every morning. Lazily strolling into the office, I find him on the phone talking to his wife and school aged children. I don’t mean to eavesdrop but when you’re in the same office, any conversation is impossible to block out and not that he tries either.
One of his conversations with his eldest daughter, barely in junior high, struck a deep chord within me. He inquired about the preparations of the Christmas list. She must have mis-understood and began to recite off the list of presents she wanted. He corrected her and asked whether she has a list prepared for those not as fortunate.
He advised to buy a present for a girl of her own age and donate it. Then he named off more kids, possibly around the neighborhood or the family, who she should consider buying gifts.
I was nearly moved to tears.
It’s the same routine every morning. Lazily strolling into the office, I find him on the phone talking to his wife and school aged children. I don’t mean to eavesdrop but when you’re in the same office, any conversation is impossible to block out and not that he tries either.
One of his conversations with his eldest daughter, barely in junior high, struck a deep chord within me. He inquired about the preparations of the Christmas list. She must have mis-understood and began to recite off the list of presents she wanted. He corrected her and asked whether she has a list prepared for those not as fortunate.
He advised to buy a present for a girl of her own age and donate it. Then he named off more kids, possibly around the neighborhood or the family, who she should consider buying gifts.
I was nearly moved to tears.
Faraz Ahmed 8:56 a.m.