You and Me

YOU AND ME

Some people you meet at work quietly become a part of your life. You may reach out to them during your most stressful or even depressive moments, and they become mentors who guide you on the right path.

Over time, they transform into friends — not necessarily friends you speak to every day, once or twice a year you speak. But they’re always there whenever you need them.

The first time you introduced yourself to me, it was with a bunch of beautiful flowers. At the time, I was just replying to the usual work emails — part of the daily grind. That simple gesture of thanks was my first real recognition at work, and it meant the world to me.

Comparing it with my previous workplace, the performance checks there were unethical — we were called in to answer five questions and rate ourselves from 1 to 5. I always gave myself a 5, and then my senior would mark me.

Once, I was told he was scoring me down because in one email I forgot to paste the heading of a spreadsheet — and “people might think I don’t know how to copy an Excel spreadsheet.” I looked at him in disbelief. I knew those words weren’t really his but came from someone above him.

But then, on another question, he said he’d give me a 5 because he’d noticed that whenever anyone asked for help — even if I was busy — I would put aside my own work and help them first. Again, I looked at him in disbelief, but that moment stayed with me.

So, receiving those flowers at home — a genuine compliment for my work — was the best recognition I had ever received. It was the beginning of a trust that grew between us.

When I needed someone to talk to, I asked you to be my mentor. Despite your busy schedule, you always found time to guide me. Whenever others needed mentoring, I would check if you had time, and you always managed to fit them in.

And when you remind me you are there, you make me laugh, make me cry with joyful tears, and take me back to childhood — that curious and surprising feeling of opening gifts carefully sealed just for me.

Sometimes I think, Oh my God, I don’t need this much! because I’m receiving thoughtful gifts from someone other than family. But whenever your gifts arrive, I have to sit down, relax, and enjoy opening all the little packets, each one making me smile because I don’t know how to express my gratitude for making me feel so special.

Definitely, it’s a kind of therapy that brings out all kinds of lovely emotions.

Every time you send a gift, you tell me to open it on the special day — but I never listen. Once, you even wrote on the gift box to open it on the day, and the postman echoed, “Open on the day!” But I never listen, and you know me well enough to forgive that.

Your gifts are so special because maybe you read my thoughts. Just last week, I was looking for an eye mask but didn’t buy one, thinking I’d get it later if I really needed it — and then you gifted me one!

I really needed a magnetic fridge reminder, last two weeks I kept forgetting to buy a matchbox for my pooja room. Sometimes I have to ask my husband to remind me to buy things, as when I reach the supermarket I forget what I need.

Two days ago, I took my small toiletries bag and thought I needed a bigger one to carry everything in one go for my next holiday — and you bought me exactly the bag I wanted.

Maybe it’s some wavelength or telepathy or something I cannot define.

All your gifts show the thoughtfulness you have, and the packaging is so carefully done that I wish I could do the same.

Only a few special people have thoughtful ideas that make them truly special. I could not ask for more.

Thank you, my mentor and friend. ❤️