Newspaper…

Sunday morning, cup of coffee and newspaper in hand…The best feeling ever. Some start reading newspaper straight from the first page,some from last.And there are legends who buy newspaper only to read the magazine sections or add-on section.

No matter how interesting the day's news is, Obituary column always gets my attention first.This habit of mine has been with me since ages, even before I knew the meaning of death.

First I look at the picture next I will read the birth date if available and calculate age with my fingers.I would be deeply upset if no year is there.It would be difficult to judge person age from that photo.Then I look around the person who have published it.It usually will be family members.Rarely friends and if rich two or three advertisement with big picture with additional homage from  office employees or political party members would be there.

Then I will look at the picture deeply.Brown,fair,dark,traditional,modern,strict or happy.Everything will be judged from that photo.Sometimes the best photo of them would be published but often the moderately okayish photo of the person would be there. Someone's child, spouse, friend, boss, uncle, cousin would be staring at me.Saying you are next.

This human who was wandering this earth once is no more.The thought will give me chills.They have been in this earth just yesterday just last month or just last year.I could have seen them somewhere in bus or in travel.Who knows.But this person is nomore.There will come   a deep silence and realization in me.I could see my anger, hate, fear,anxiety  suppress.For a moment I will feel like a monk.

My mind would articulate my picture there.I will think I would be there someday.Maybe recent photo of mine or maybe oldage photo if lucky.I have even thought of best picture of me which should be published if at all anything happens. Only the date of publishing is uncertain but I surely we all have a reserved column out there.

Bitter but realistic truth about life would have  been explained without words. This is the power of Obituary column. It  teaches lot to us than any other philosophical book.So what are you waiting for. Next time if you read newspaper do not forget to notice Obituary column and imagine yourself there 😉