My absolutely silly attempt with rhymes :P. But if I managed to express my thoughts, I think I can be excused.

During my recent Italy trip I met a woman on the cruise whom I admired and liked a lot, and still do. I have even expressed this to Shweta. The brief amount of time that I spent with her has left a long lasting impression on how I view my surrounding world. Her name is Clasien. Before you open your eyes wide open, have a look at her picture.

Isn’t she beautiful? If SHE is beautiful her soul is even more.

She was diagnosed with cancer two years back and doctors told Ton [her husband] and son that she has only four months to live. Troubled but iron-willed Clasien chuckled to Ton – “Oh c’mon lets go have some coffee.”

Two years later Ton and Clasien can be found on this cruise. Isn’t that WOW or what?

Despite having lost sensation in one leg, Clasien could be found taking off the cruise at every land excursion on her wheel chair, sometimes by herself or sometimes being helped by Ton. She is taking the world head on; and winning.

Always with a smile on her face.

Even after so many years into marriage and sailing through troubles they still have the mischievousness alive in them. Clasien would teasingly smack Ton’s back. Or would go to the top deck of the cruise where even we would find it difficult to face the strong winds.

We often witness people around us who tend to give up on life at the fag end of it. It’s refreshing to encounter, in flesh and blood, a statement as strong as “It belongs to us till the last breath…LIFE.” After meeting them I realized each and every day of my life is so precious it must be relished and lived fully. Hence I come back to where I started from “Youth is not a matter of age; It’s a matter of spirit”.

I met, I saw, I learnt, I’ll apply! They made a difference in my life! I hope this post makes one in yours!!!

Love

Manav

PS- As soon as we arrived home we got a post card from them, after which a sweet email from an id they started using just so that they could stay in touch with us.

PS2- While I was busy with Clasien, Shweta dated Ton :)